Origin Country Edit

The origin country should be paired with the original air dates and original network. It is the main production country where the show originally aired in.

Network Edit

Typically only the very first network to air the series should be added to the network list.

Digital

Digital platforms and websites (e.g. Netflix, YouTube, YouTube Red, CBS All Access) are allowed as networks for web series.

It is common for television series to be also released on various VOD services around the time of airing. They should not be added to the network field.

Direct-to-video

The network field should be locked blank for series released directly on VHS, DVD or Blu-ray. The "Video" TV Show Type is used to indicate that a series was originally released in a home video format.

Simulcast and rebroadcast

As a general rule, only the primary network. No network airing reruns.

The network field should be used for the very first network. Multiple networks should only be added when the series is originally broadcast at the exact same time on two or more local networks. For Japanese shows, we recommend using sources such as Syoboi or Conomy to find the exact time of airing.

For example, this is the partial listing for the first episode of a series (if you are unfamiliar with the Japanese 26h time format, please read the note in the episode air date section):

KBS京都  2012-01-09(月)  25:30   
テレビ愛知  2012-01-09(月)  25:30
AT-X  2012-01-10(火)  10:00    
TOKYO MX  2012-01-10(火)  26:00    
BS11デジタル  2012-01-11(水)  24:30    

The episodes aired at the exact same day and time on KBS京都 and テレビ愛知, and subsequently aired on various channels including AT-X, TOKYO MX and BS11デジタル. According to our guidelines only two channels qualify for the network field: KBS京都 and テレビ愛知.

Network change

When a series moves from Network A to Network B during its initial run, both networks are added.

For example, the first three seasons of The Mindy Project originally aired on Fox and the last three seasons originally aired on Hulu. The American TV series Unforgettable and Community also moved to a new network after a cancellation.

The TV series Supergirl moved from CBS to The CW after one season. A similar example is the series The Shannara Chronicles which moved from MTV to its sister channel Spike after the first season.

After the closure of The WB and UPN, many series including Supernatural and Everybody Hates Chris moved the The CW.

To simplify the listing of these changes, the origin network is now a per season field.

International co-production

Two or more networks can be added when the series is broadcast simultaneously in the original language AND a) the countries are equal producing partners or b) international networks have a producing or "in association with" credit in the original credits.

In the context of international broadcast with time difference (e.g. US/UK), simultaneously is defined as broadcast the same day.

International broadcast

Random earlier broadcasts on a different channel, especially in a different country, are usually ignored when the television series have a clear primary network.

• e.g. when Canada airs episodes of an American series a few days ahead of the US broadcast (e.g. Chicago Med or The Real O'Neals) the Canadian network it not added as a network and the dates are not used as the first air dates
• e.g. when Germany air the episodes of an American series a few months ahead of the US broadcast (e.g. Secrets and Lies), the German network is not added as a network and the dates are not used as the first air dates

New Network

The leading guideline for creating new network pages is that any television channel or network, VOD service, digital store or website with original content on TMDb can have its own network page.

A new network page can be created for each international versions of a television channel or service. For example, both Disney Channel and Nick have many international channels airing original content. And there is a Japanese version of the American Hulu.

Worldwide services like Netflix, YouTube, the iTunes Store or Amazon should only be one network page.

YouTube Channels are not supported. The YouTube page should be used for all regular content originally released on YouTube.

Programming blocks are usually added only as alternative names. Notable exceptions are Nick at Nite and Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

A new network page should be created following a major name rebranding. For example, Spike was rebranded Paramount Network, and ABC Family was renamed Freeform.

Minor names changes, such as Sci-Fi Channel → Sci Fi → Syfy, can be simply noted in the alternative names section.

Production Companies Edit

Types of companies

The "Production Companies" field should only be used for the production companies. No distributors.

Only proper production companies. No "Funded by" credits (e.g. Canadian provincial tax credit). Companies credited as "In Association With" are typically funding only and shouldn't be entered as a production company.

Company Name

The name should always be in Roman script. Adding the original, non-Roman name to the alternative name field will make them easier to find.

The type of company (LLC, Inc., Ltd./Limited, GmbH, S.A., Pvt. Ltd., Pty Ltd, ...) shouldn't be in the company name. The full name can also be added as an alternative.

New Company

As a general rule, a new company page should be created for:

Any newly founded film production companies, including brand new companies, new subsidiaries and new companies created following a merger.

• Exclusive Media (parent) + Spitfire Pictures, Newmarket Films, Hammer Film Productions (substiaries)
• Stone Television, Stone Stanley Entertainment, Stone and Company Entertainment
• La Petite Reine, La Petite Reine Production

Companies with headquarters in multiple countries that produce international content.

• Robson Orr Entertainment (US) + Robson Entertainment (UK)

A significant name rebranding.

• Studio 37 → Orange Studio
• Firefly Film and Television Productions → Dragonfly Film and Television Productions
• Yellow Bird Pictures → Lucky Bird Pictures

A new country, including a relocation to a different country and a country who has changed over time due to new geo-political divisions.

• Dovzhenko Film Studios (Soviet Union → Ukraine)
• Goatworks Films: Jonathan Nossiter produced his first few films in the US. He spent a few years in Brazil with his family, and currently lives in Italy.