Television program

A television program (American usage) or television programme (British usage) is a presentation in a television broadcast which may be either a one-off broadcast or, more usually, a periodically returning one. A television series is an example of the latter type.

The content of television programs may be factual (e.g. documentaries) or fictional (e.g. comedy or drama).

A drama program usually features a set of actors in a somewhat familiar setting. The program follows their lives and their adventures. Every program progresses the plot, the characters, or both.

Common TV program periods include regular broadcasts (like TV news), TV series (usually seasonal and ongoing with a duration of only a few episodes to many seasons), or TV mini-series which is an extended film, usually with a small pre-determined number of episodes and a set plot and timeline.

Common TV program formats include:

• TV comedy (typically situation comedy or sketch comedy)
• TV documentary
• TV drama
• TV talk show
• TV current affairs show
• TV cartoon
• TV infomercial
• TV mini-series
• TV quiz show