1.3 Classification systems and genre evolution
5 min read•july 30, 2024
TV genres are dynamic, evolving systems that categorize programs based on shared traits. From sitcoms to reality shows, these classifications help us understand the landscape of television content, reflecting industry needs and audience preferences.
Genre evolution is a constant process, influenced by cultural shifts, technological advancements, and creative innovation. As genres blend and transform, they create new hybrids, challenging traditional boundaries and offering fresh viewing experiences for diverse audiences.
TV Genre Classification Systems
Approaches to Categorizing TV Programs
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- categorize programs based on shared characteristics such as format, content, style, target audience, and purpose
- Key classification approaches include those based on format (sitcom, , reality), content theme (crime, medical, sci-fi), demographic appeal (children's, young adult, family), and industry function (daytime, primetime, late night)
- Some classification systems are hierarchical with broad categories divided into sub-genres, while others use a flatter structure of distinct categories
- Industry organizations, critics, and academics may employ different classification schemes tailored to their respective needs and objectives
Limitations and Overlaps in Classification Systems
- Differences in classification systems reflect varying analytical lenses, industry needs, and research objectives
- Certain programs can fit into multiple genre categories simultaneously, revealing limitations and overlaps between classification systems
- Genre boundaries are often fluid and subjective rather than rigid and absolute
- The same show might be classified differently depending on the criteria used (Glee as a by format but a teen drama by demographic)
Evolution of TV Genres
Development of the Sitcom
- The sitcom genre emerged in the 1940s, adapting radio comedy to the TV medium
- It evolved from theatrical roots to a 3-camera setup with a live audience (I Love Lucy), and later diversified into single-camera mockumentary (The Office) and animation formats (The Simpsons)
- Sitcoms have tackled topical issues and expanded representational diversity over time, from the working-class realism of All in the Family to the Black family dynamics in The Cosby Show
Transformation of TV Soap Operas
- TV soap operas originated in the 1950s as daytime serials targeting housewives (Guiding Light, As the World Turns)
- They shifted to primetime in the 1980s with glitzy melodramas (Dallas, Dynasty), and have since incorporated more diverse casting and socially-conscious plotlines
- Contemporary soaps have experimented with narrative techniques like flash-forwards (Desperate Housewives) and musical episodes (Riverdale)
Variants of Police Procedurals
- Police procedurals crystalized as a drama sub-genre in the 1950s-60s (Dragnet), focusing on law enforcement investigations
- The genre has proliferated into forensic (CSI), legal (Law & Order), and serialized neo-noir variants (True Detective)
- Police procedurals have grappled with timely sociopolitical issues such as corruption (The Shield) and racial justice (Watchmen) in recent years
Journalism and Tabloid Influences on TV Magazines
- TV news magazines developed in the 1960s, merging journalism and entertainment (60 Minutes)
- They've expanded from straight reporting to true crime (Dateline), consumer affairs (20/20), and tabloid scandal (Inside Edition)
- The genre has faced ethical scrutiny for sensationalism and blurring the lines between news and infotainment
Reality TV Explosion and Sub-Genres
- exploded in the 1990s-2000s, evolving from documentary-style (The Real World) to competition game shows (Survivor), celebrity docusoaps (Keeping Up with the Kardashians), self-improvement (Queer Eye), and constructed reality forms (The Hills)
- The genre's proliferation has been fueled by low production costs, voyeuristic appeal, and ordinary people as characters
- Reality shows have showcased growing diversity in identities and experiences (RuPaul's Drag Race) while also perpetuating stereotypes
Resurgence of Fantasy and Sci-Fi
- The 2010s saw a resurgence of fantasy and sci-fi genres, fueled by advances in CGI effects, transmedia franchising, and the rise of
- Game of Thrones exemplified the epic world-building and complex mythologies made possible by modern VFX and novelistic storytelling
- Stranger Things and Westworld demonstrate how sci-fi has been revitalized through 80s nostalgia and puzzle-box narrative structures tailored for streaming audiences
Factors Influencing Genre Popularity
Cultural Zeitgeist and Audience Tastes
- Sociocultural zeitgeist and prevailing audience tastes shape genre trends
- Genres that resonate with cultural sentiments experience a surge in production and popularity (The Walking Dead tapping into post-9/11 anxieties)
- Shifting audience demographics and values can revive or diminish a genre's appeal over time
Economic and Technological Impacts
- Economic conditions and production costs influence genre cycles
- Cheaper genres like reality TV proliferate during industry recessions
- Technological advancements expand creative possibilities and audience expectations for genres (CGI making sci-fi/fantasy more feasible, streaming boosting serialized storytelling)
Copycat Programming and Audience Fatigue
- Copycat programming and network rivalry can lead to a glut of shows in a hot genre, eventually causing audience fatigue and declining ratings
- Oversaturation of a genre formula makes it seem cliched and dated (the glut of CSI spinoffs and imitators in the 2000s)
- Genres must evolve their conventions and explore new angles to stay relevant to changing times and tastes
Cultural Controversies and Sensitivities
- Cultural controversies and sensitivities can make certain genres unpalatable to the public
- Declining popularity of Westerns in the Vietnam era reflected disillusionment with frontier myths and glorified violence
- Ongoing debates around police shows and reality TV reflect scrutiny of how genres can reinforce problematic biases and behaviors
Genre Hybridization in Television
Blending Genre Elements for Innovation
- Genre hybridization blends elements from multiple genres into a single program, creating novel forms like the comedy-drama ("dramedy") (Orange is the New Black), horror-comedy (Scream Queens), and sci-fi/Western (Westworld)
- Hybridization allows for more creative innovation in storytelling and attracts viewers seeking fresh experiences beyond formulaic genre conventions
- Genre fusion can revitalize and recontextualize , as seen with postmodern twists on sitcoms (WandaVision) and police procedurals (Lucifer)
Targeting Niche Demographics through Cross-Genre Programming
- Cross-genre programming schedules genre-diverse shows together to retain viewers across a broadcast flow and attract niche audiences
- Streaming platforms use genre hybridization to differentiate their original content brands and micro-target audience demographics (Netflix's Marvel series blending superhero action with neo-noir grit)
- Hybrid genres can cultivate fan communities at the intersection of multiple interest groups (Outlander appealing to romance, history, and fantasy readers)
Challenges of Ambiguity and Subverted Expectations
- Genre ambiguity in contemporary "quality TV" caters to audiences with omnivorous, eclectic tastes, but can make marketing and awards categorization more challenging (Atlanta's fluid mix of comedy, drama, and surrealism)
- Hybrid shows often subvert expectations of their constituent genres' formulas and tones (Bojack Horseman's balance of animated sitcom hijinks with dark, serialized pathos)
- Excessive hybridization risks alienating audiences if genre fusions become too convoluted or tonally inconsistent, failing to deliver satisfying payoffs (the mixed response to The OA's genre-bending twists)
Key Terms to Review (20)
Archetypes: Archetypes are universally recognized symbols, themes, or characters that recur across different stories and genres, serving as foundational elements in storytelling. These archetypal figures help to convey familiar ideas and emotions, making narratives relatable and accessible. They play a crucial role in the development of subgenres and variations, influence classification systems as genres evolve, and can be creatively subverted to challenge audience expectations.
Comedy: Comedy is a genre of television that aims to entertain and amuse audiences through humor, often utilizing wit, satire, and exaggerated situations. This genre has evolved significantly over time, adapting to cultural shifts and audience preferences while maintaining its core purpose of eliciting laughter and providing social commentary.
Digital distribution: Digital distribution refers to the delivery of content, such as films, television shows, and music, through digital platforms rather than physical media. This method enables creators to reach wider audiences instantly and allows consumers to access a vast array of content from various devices anytime. As a result, it plays a crucial role in shaping classification systems, influencing genre evolution and impacting programming strategies and scheduling by providing new ways to deliver and monetize content.
Drama: Drama is a genre of television that focuses on the portrayal of realistic characters and emotional themes, often involving conflict, relationships, and moral dilemmas. This genre shapes viewer expectations by providing intense storytelling that can be both relatable and thought-provoking, making it a significant part of the television landscape.
Episodic structure: Episodic structure refers to a storytelling format where a narrative is divided into separate, self-contained episodes that can vary in tone and content. This structure allows each episode to explore different storylines, characters, and themes while still contributing to an overarching narrative. It’s commonly seen in various genres, from sitcoms to dramas, and plays a crucial role in how series develop and evolve over time.
Fandom: Fandom refers to a community of fans who share a passion for a specific media franchise, show, or cultural phenomenon, often engaging with it through various forms of participation and expression. This enthusiasm can significantly influence how genres are perceived and evolve over time, as audience expectations shape the content created by producers and the classification systems used to categorize them.
Format categorization: Format categorization refers to the systematic classification of media content based on specific formats and structures, allowing for easier identification and analysis of different genres within television. This process helps in understanding how certain formats influence audience expectations, narrative techniques, and the overall evolution of genres over time.
Genre blending: Genre blending is the process of combining elements from two or more distinct genres to create a new, hybrid genre that often defies traditional genre conventions. This practice allows for greater storytelling flexibility and can enhance audience engagement by mixing familiar tropes with unexpected twists.
Genre hybridity: Genre hybridity refers to the blending or mixing of different genres to create new forms of television programming. This concept highlights how genres evolve over time, often borrowing elements from each other, which can lead to innovative storytelling and diverse viewer experiences. Understanding genre hybridity is essential for recognizing how classification systems adapt and how the significance of TV genres shifts in response to cultural and technological changes.
Golden Age of Television: The Golden Age of Television refers to a period from the late 1940s to the early 1960s when television became a significant medium for storytelling, showcasing innovative writing and production values. During this time, the industry produced groundbreaking programs across genres, especially in sitcoms, which explored social issues with humor and depth, reflecting changes in society. The era set the stage for future television evolution and laid the groundwork for genre classifications and parodies that emerged later.
Jason Mittell: Jason Mittell is a prominent media scholar known for his work on television genres, particularly how they evolve and are classified. He emphasizes the importance of understanding genre not just as fixed categories, but as dynamic systems that change over time, influenced by cultural and industrial practices. His insights into genre theory provide a framework for analyzing how genres adapt and transform in response to societal shifts and audience expectations.
John Fiske: John Fiske was a prominent American cultural theorist and media scholar known for his influential work on television and popular culture. He emphasized the importance of audience interpretation in understanding media texts and argued that genres are shaped by social contexts and cultural practices, which ties closely to how genres evolve over time and how contemporary television can be deconstructed to reveal underlying tropes and meanings.
Narrative structure: Narrative structure refers to the organized way in which a story is presented to an audience, including the sequence of events and how they are arranged to create meaning. This structure shapes how audiences engage with a story, influencing their expectations and reactions based on genre conventions and storytelling techniques. Different narrative structures can enhance the emotional impact, pacing, and overall effectiveness of a TV show, making them integral to defining genres and their evolution over time.
Peak TV: Peak TV refers to the current era of television, characterized by an overwhelming amount of content produced across various platforms, leading to a heightened quality and diversity in programming. This term captures the idea that we are at a high point in television production, with more original series being created than ever before, allowing for both innovation in storytelling and competition among networks and streaming services.
Reality tv: Reality TV is a genre of television programming that documents real-life situations, often featuring ordinary people instead of professional actors. This genre has evolved to include various sub-genres, appealing to audience expectations and shaping viewer engagement through unscripted narratives and relatable content.
Serialization: Serialization refers to the technique in storytelling where a narrative unfolds across multiple episodes or installments, creating a continuous story arc that encourages viewers to return for subsequent installments. This approach allows for deeper character development and complex plots that evolve over time, which contrasts with episodic formats that typically resolve their stories within a single episode. Serialization has played a crucial role in shaping the way genres are classified and how they evolve to meet audience demands.
Streaming platforms: Streaming platforms are digital services that allow users to access and view content such as films, TV shows, and live broadcasts over the internet without needing to download files. These platforms have transformed how audiences consume media, influencing trends in storytelling, production methods, and audience engagement.
Tropes: Tropes are recurring themes, motifs, or conventions that appear across different works within a genre. They serve as shorthand for familiar concepts and expectations, helping creators to convey ideas quickly and audiences to understand narratives based on established patterns. Tropes are integral to understanding subgenres and variations, classification systems, and techniques for subverting expectations in storytelling.
Tv genre classification systems: TV genre classification systems are frameworks used to categorize television shows based on their shared thematic elements, narrative structures, and stylistic features. These systems help audiences identify and select content that aligns with their preferences while also guiding producers and networks in the development and marketing of programming. Understanding these classifications is crucial as genres evolve over time, often blending or shifting in response to cultural trends and viewer expectations.
Viewership trends: Viewership trends refer to the patterns and changes in audience behavior regarding what shows or genres they watch over time. These trends help in understanding the preferences of audiences, which can reflect broader cultural shifts, technological advancements, and the impact of social commentary within television content. By analyzing these trends, we can see how sitcoms may influence societal norms, how genres evolve and adapt to viewer preferences, and how reality TV has carved out its niche in contemporary media.