series vs. serial vs. show vs. program vs. installment

More often than not, I come upon these words and phrases connected with TV. I searched dictionaries, but I'm not sure that I understand the difference between them. Could you please tell me if my understanding of them is correct?

• TV series -- a part of a longer "movie" broadcast regularly on television; AmE?,
• serial -- the same as series? BrE?,
• TV show -- quiz shows, talk shows, morning shows, reality TV shows etc. but not TV series/serials,
• program -- anything on TV including TV series/serials, TV shows, the news, weather forecast an so on,
• installment -- the same as TV series and TV show (I'm particularly unsure of this one).

CarloSsS said:

More often than not, I come upon these words and phrases connected with TV. I searched dictionaries, but I'm not sure that I understand the difference between them. Could you please tell me if my understanding of them is correct?

• TV series -- a part of a longer "movie" broadcast regularly on television; AmE?,
• serial -- the same as series? BrE?,
• TV show -- quiz shows, talk shows, morning shows, reality TV shows etc. but not TV series/serials,
• program -- anything on TV including TV series/serials, TV shows, the news, weather forecast an so on,
• installment -- the same as TV series and TV show (I'm particularly unsure of this one).

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A TV series is a regular, often weekly, broadcast of a programme on the same subject. It could be a fictional drama with the same cast playing the same characters acting out a different story each week. It could also be a factual documentary series on a particular subject. Equally it could be a game show etcetera. A serial is a story broken up into weekly episodes. An instalment is one episode in a continuing story.

And an "episode" is a single show in a series. For example, I love the TV show (TV series, TV program, all okay) Big Bang Theory. Although I laugh every time I see it, there are a few episodes that I particularly enjoy.

Is there any difference between a "TV show" and a "TV series"? Both seem the same to me. Also, if I understand it correctly, an "installment" is the same as an "episode", correct? For example:

Sky One is to introduce a new science fiction TV show.
is the same as:
Sky One is to introduce a new science fiction TV show.

A new installment of Friends is to be aired on Monday.
is the same as:
A new episode of Friends is to be aired on Monday.

Barb_D said:

And an "episode" is a single show in a series. For example, I love the TV show (TV series, TV program, all okay) Big Bang Theory. Although I laugh every time I see it, there are a few episodes that I particularly enjoy.

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Me too, Barb.

(...and here's Uranus.) :loling:

Rover

CarloSsS said:

Is there any difference between a "TV show" and a "TV series"? Both seem the same to me. Also, if I understand it correctly, an "installment" is the same as an "episode", correct? For example:

Sky One is to introduce a new science fiction TV show.
is the same as:
Sky One is to introduce a new science fiction TV show.

A new installment of Friends is to be aired on Monday.
is the same as:
A new episode of Friends is to be aired on Monday.

Click to expand...

I watch a lot of TV, but I don't recall seeing the word "installment" used as a subsitute for "episode". I'm not saying it's incorrect, however I don't think it's common to use it that way. I would personally say:

The last episode of House M.D. aired on May 21, 2012.

Installment is however very common in the context of films: The last installment of the Godfather trilogy came out in 1990.

I agree- I have never used "installment" to mean "episode" in a regular TV series.

Is there any difference between a "TV show" and a "TV series"? Both seem the same to me.

Sky One is to introduce a new science fiction TV show.
is the same as:
Sky One is to introduce a new science fiction TV series.

CarloSsS said:

Is there any difference between a "TV show" and a "TV series"? Both seem the same to me.

Sky One is to introduce a new science fiction TV show.
is the same as:
Sky One is to introduce a new science fiction TV series.

Click to expand...

No difference IMO.

A 'TV show' could be a one-off production. It doesn't have to be a series.

'I have to get home soon; there's a TV show on that I forgot to record.'

Rover

Chicken Sandwich said:

No difference IMO.

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If it's something that repeats the format like a quiz show or a variety show, I wouldn't use series except on the box of DVDs.

Tdol said:

If it's something that repeats the format like a quiz show or a variety show, I wouldn't use series except on the box of DVDs.

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What would you use then? A TV show?