Here is a list of English words for some popular types of television shows (or TV genres). When you have finished reading, scroll down the page to do a quiz.
Sports
Programmes featuring sports or sporting events. Examples: Match of The Day, The Football League Show, Super Bowl, Sunday Night Football.
Sitcom
An amusing TV series about fictional characters. Also known as a situation comedy. Examples: Blackadder, Father Ted, Friends, Scrubs, Malcolm in The Middle.
Documentary
A TV programme that documents real life events. Examples: Panorama, Stephen Fry in America, Long Way Round, Life on Earth.
Soap
Also known as a Soap Opera. A fictional drama about people's daily lives. Examples: Eastenders, Hollyoaks, The Bold and The Beautiful, All My Children.
Cartoon
A programme that features animated characters. Examples: The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, South Park.
Travel or Holiday
A show that features holiday destinations. Examples: The Travel Show, Wish You Were Here.
Kids/Children's
TV programmes produced for children. Examples: Bob The Builder, Sesame Street, Hannah Montana, Scooby Doo, Johnny Bravo.
Drama
A fictional TV story, featuring actors. Examples: CSI, Holby City, Lie To Me, House, Lost, 24, Medium.
Makeover
A show that helps people change their image or lifestyle. Examples: Extreme Makeover, The Swan, Gok's Fashion Fix.
News
A show that reports world events as they unfold. Examples: News at Ten, CNN Newsroom, 60 Minutes.
Cookery
A programme hosted by famous chefs, who teach people how to cook. Examples: Ready Steady Cook, Gordon Ramsay's F Word, Jamie's Ministry of Food.
Reality TV
A "fly on the wall" show, featuring real people. Examples: Celebrity Big Brother, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing on Ice, American Idol, Britain's Got Talent.
TV Genres - Multiple Choice Quiz
Now try this multiple choice quiz about TV Genres. Choose the answer you think is correct.
A funny TV series about the lives of fictional characters is known as_______?
a sitcom
a soap
reality TV
A TV programme that documents real life events is known as_______?
a documentary
a sitcom
a drama
A programme that helps people change their lifestyle or image is known as_______?
a makeover show
a soap
a sitcom
Which of these programmes is not a reality TV show?
Eastenders
Celebrity Big Brother
American Idol
Which of these programmes is not a cookery show?
Scrubs
Jamie's Ministry of Food
Ready, Steady Cook
A show that reports world events as they unfold is known as_______?
news
documentary
reality TV
Which of these programmes is not a cartoon show?
American Idol
The Simpsons
American Dad
True or false? An amusing TV series about fictional characters is called a romcom.