Table of Contents
Introduction
Welcome to our guide on TV show vocabulary! This list covers various genres of TV shows, providing concise descriptions for each. It’s designed to help English language learners expand their vocabulary and better understand the different types of TV shows.
Discover new terms and enhance your language skills!
Types of TV Shows Vocabulary List
Television shows, or TV shows, are programs broadcast on television that entertain, inform, or educate viewers. They come in various formats and genres, catering to a wide range of interests and preferences.
Here is a guide to different types of TV shows, with brief descriptions of each genre to help you expand your vocabulary and understanding of this popular form of entertainment.
Discover new words and enhance your language skills!
Note:
For information on different types of movies, check out our extensive guide on movie genres.
TV Genres

Cartoon
- A cartoon is a program that features animated characters.
- Examples: Tom & Jerry, Goofy, The Simpsons, etc.
Chat Show
- A chat show, or talk show, is a television or radio program structured around spontaneous conversation.
- Examples: The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil, The Tonight Show, etc.
Cookery Program
- A cookery program, also known as a cooking show, presents food preparation techniques and recipes.
- Examples: MasterChef, The Great British Bake Off.
DIY Program
- DIY (Do It Yourself) TV shows cover activities that amateurs can perform at home, such as home construction, repair, gardening, and plumbing.
- Examples: Fixer Upper, This Old House.
Documentary
- A documentary is a non-fictional motion picture intended to document reality, primarily to instruct, educate, or maintain a historical record.
- Examples: Planet Earth, 13th.
Game Show
- A game show is a stage show where contestants, individually or as teams, play a game that involves answering questions or solving puzzles, usually for money or prizes.
- Examples: Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune.
Movie/Film
- A film or movie is a recording of moving pictures that tells a story.
- Examples: Inception, The Godfather.
News
- News programs provide information about current events.
- Examples: BBC News, CNN Newsroom.
Reality Show
- Reality television documents supposedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unknown individuals rather than professional actors.
- Examples: Survivor, American Idol, Big Brother.
Sitcom
- A sitcom, short for situational comedy, revolves around a fixed set of characters involved in amusing situations in each episode.
- Examples: Friends, The Office.
Soap Opera
- A soap opera is a television serial dealing especially with domestic situations, frequently characterized by melodrama and sentimentality.
- Examples: Days of Our Lives, General Hospital.
TV Series
- A television series is a fiction program usually released in episodes that follow a narrative and are typically divided into seasons.
- Examples: Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones.
Wildlife Program
- A wildlife program, or nature documentary, features animals, plants, or other non-human living creatures.
- Examples: Blue Planet, The Crocodile Hunter.
Drama
- A drama is a genre that relies on the emotional and relational development of realistic characters.
- Examples: The Crown, Grey’s Anatomy.
Thriller
- A thriller is characterized by suspense, excitement, and tension, often involving crime or espionage.
- Examples: 24, Stranger Things.
Fantasy
- A fantasy show features magical or supernatural elements that do not exist in the real world.
- Examples: The Witcher, Game of Thrones.
Crime
- Crime shows revolve around solving a crime or series of crimes, often featuring police, detectives, or lawyers.
- Examples: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order.
Sports
- Sports programs feature live or recorded sports events, commentary, and analysis. Examples: Monday Night Football, ESPN SportsCenter.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we explored various types of TV shows. We provided brief descriptions and examples of each. Each type offers a unique form of entertainment and insight into different aspects of storytelling and production.
For learners of English, watching TV shows in English can be an incredibly beneficial practice. Not only does it help enrich your vocabulary and improve your language skills, but it also offers a deeper understanding of the cultural nuances and contexts in which the language is used.
So, tune in to your favorite English TV shows and enjoy the dual benefits of entertainment and education
Related Pages: