How to Cite Television Shows

Any sources used in writing an article, academic paper or similar piece should be referenced at the end of the piece. This includes any information that you have taken from a television news report or show. Citing a television show is slightly different than referencing a book or encyclopedia as there are different types of individuals involved in the creation and filming of any particular show. By following the steps listed below, you can cite television shows.

Things You'll Need

• Television show name
• Network name
• Broadcast date
• Pertinent personnel names

Instructions

1. Start off by writing the name of the television episode if the show has one. This would be different than the name of the show itself. You can find episode names in your local TV listings and the episode name may also appear at the beginning and/or end of the television show. Quotation marks should go around the episode name and you should place a period at the end of the name.

2. Place the title of the television show to the right of the episode name. Smallville, Law and Order, and Scrubs are examples of the name of actual shows. The name of the show should be underlined. Place a period at the end of the show name.

3. Write the name of the series of the program if there is one. This won't apply for most standard television shows. It is more for programs such as a mini-series or possibly a series of documentaries. The name of the series would go after the title of the TV show. The series name does not need quotations marks nor an underline but a period should be at the end of the name.

4. Follow with the name of the producer, director, main performers/stars of the show, and then the writer of the show. Each name should have a comma after it. Put a period at the end of the last name. Each person's inclusion depends on her importance as well as the emphasis of the citation.

5. Write the name network, the local station name and then the city next. CBS, ABC and FOX are examples of the network name. The local station name is the four letter name of the local station. This can be found in local listings. A period should go after the network name. A comma should separate the local station name and the city. Remember that national networks, such as CNN, will not have a local station name.

6. End with the date of the broadcast. Write the numerical date first (ex. "12"), then the month and then the year. An example is "9 June 2009."

Tips & Warnings

• Here is an example of a citation for a news report: "Local Storms Cause Power Outages." News 12 New Jersey (underlined). N12NJ, Hoboken. 9 June 2009.

References

• "How to Cite Media" - Cal Berkeley