Globalize/USA
Serials in
television and
radio are series that rely on a continuing
plot that unfolds in a serial fashion,
episode by episode. Serials typically follow main
story arcs that span entire seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from traditional episodic television that relies on more
stand-alone episodes. Worldwide, the
soap opera is a notable derivative of the serial.
Serials rely on keeping the full nature of the story hidden and revealing elements episode by episode to keep viewers tuning in to learn more. Often these shows employ
recapping segments at the beginning and
cliffhangers at the end of each episode. Such shows also place a demand on viewers to tune in to every episode to follow the plot.
The invention of recording devices (such as
VCRs,
DVRs and
TiVo) have made following these type of shows easier, which has resulted in increased success and popularity.
