serials and series

Roughly, a TV series is any set of linked programmes (British spelling) or programs (US spellings) which are shown one after another. Each programme may be separate from the ones before and after, or it may not. There are factual series* about nature, history, science, cooking, and many other subjects. One kind of series tells a story, usually fictional, in parts and this is called a "serial". A serial has a beginning and an end, and may be adapted from a well known book. Another kind of fictional series continues from one programme to the next, but with no end, (except when or if the TV company decides to end it) and this is a drama series or "soap". The word "soap" used this way derives from fictional drama series*, "soap operas", broadcast on American radio sponsored by soap companies.

*The word "series" is identical in its singular and plural form.