How do I cite a tv show in APA?

To cite a tv show in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What does the in-text citation look like for a tv show in APA?

In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Creator, Year)

How to Cite a TV Show in APA (7th edition)

Learn how to cite a TV show or series in APA format (7th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

APA Reference List Format

Here is the standard APA format for citing a tv show in your reference list:

Writer, A. A. (Writer), & Director, B. B. (Director). (Year, Month Day). Title of episode (Season #, Episode #) [TV series episode]. In A. Producer (Executive Producer), Series Title. Production Company.

APA Example for a TV Show

A complete APA reference for a tv show, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Alvarez, D. (2023, November 7). The archive (No. 3) [TV series episode]. In Field Notes. Public Broadcasting Network.

Matching in-text citation: (Alvarez, 2023)

APA In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(Creator, Year)

Narrative

Creator (Year) explores...

Key APA Formatting Rules

Treat individual episodes like book chapters.
List the writer and director as creators.
Include the season and episode number in parentheses.
Name the executive producer in the In position.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your tv show.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

CSL style record: apa.csl

Editorial sources

APA Style — references →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a tv show in APA?: To cite a tv show in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the APA format for a tv show citation?: The APA format for a tv show is: Writer, A. A. (Writer), & Director, B. B. (Director). (Year, Month Day). Title of episode (Season #, Episode #) [TV series episode]. In A. Producer (Executive Producer), Series Title. Production Company.
What does the in-text citation look like for a tv show in APA?: In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Creator, Year)