must-see TV
Can't skip programming
Must-see TV is programming considered essential viewing—shows so good or culturally significant that missing them feels like being left out: That finale was must-see TV.
The phrase gained currency as NBC's 1990s Thursday night branding slogan, but now applies broadly to any can't-miss content regardless of platform.
- fandomsCommunities of devoted enthusiasts
- fan theoriesAudience speculation about fiction
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
- zeitgeistEra's dominant mentality
- appointment viewingArranged time to see property
water cooler moment · prestige drama · drama · golden age · screenwriting · binge-worthy · comedy · cult following · cliffhangers · plot twist · live-tweeting · streaming platforms · thriller · character arc · cinematography · timeless classics · anthology series · influential
- televisionTV, television, broadcast, TV shows, TV series
- Television Historygolden age, broadcast networks, network television, color TV, live broadcasts
- TV programmingprimetime, talk shows, game shows, prime time, sitcoms
- broadcast televisionnetworks, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox
- TV lingoon air, off air, showrunner, cliffhanger, cue
- sweepsNielsen ratings, ad rates