An anthology series is a

radio Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a tr ...

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...

video game Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This feedba ...

or film series that spans different genres and presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode,

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and ...

, segment, or short. These usually have a different cast in each episode, but several series in the past, such as '' Four Star Playhouse'', employed a permanent troupe of character actors who would appear in a different drama each week. Some anthology series, such as '' Studio One'', began on radio and then expanded to television.

Etymology

The word comes from

Ancient Greek Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archaic pe ...

ἀνθολογία (''anthología'', “flower-gathering”), from ἀνθολογέω (''anthologéō'', "I gather flowers"), from ἄνθος (''ánthos'', "flower") + λέγω (''légō'', "I gather, pick up, collect"), coined by Meleager of Gadara circa 60 BCE, originally as Στέφανος (στέφανος (''stéphanos'', "garland")) to describe a collection of poetry, later retitled anthology – see Greek Anthology. ''Anthologiai'' were collections of small Greek poems and epigrams, because in Greek culture the flower symbolized the finer sentiments that only poetry can express.

Radio

Many popular old-time radio programs were anthology series. On some series, such as '' Inner Sanctum Mysteries'', the only constant was the host, who introduced and concluded each dramatic presentation. One of the earliest such programs was '' The Collier Hour'', broadcast on the NBC Blue Network from 1927 to 1932. As radio's first major dramatic anthology, it adapted stories and serials from '' Collier's Weekly'' in a calculated move to increase subscriptions and compete with ''

The Saturday Evening Post ''The Saturday Evening Post'' is an American magazine, currently published six times a year. It was issued weekly under this title from 1897 until 1963, then every two weeks until 1969. From the 1920s to the 1960s, it was one of the most widely ...

''. Airing on the Wednesday prior to each week's distribution of the magazine, the program soon moved to Sundays in order to avoid spoilers with dramatizations of stories simultaneously appearing in the magazine.

Drama

* ''

Academy Award Theater ''Academy Award'' (also listed as ''Academy Award Theater)''Terrace, Vincent. (1999). ''Radio Programs, 1924–1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows''. McFarland & Company, Inc. . p. 8. is a CBS radio anthology series, which presented 30-minut ...

'' * '' Arch Oboler's Plays'' * '' The Campbell Playhouse'' * '' Cavalcade of America'' * '' CBS Radio Workshop'' * '' Earplay'' * '' Four Star Playhouse'' * '' Lux Radio Theater'' * '' Hollywood Star Time'' * '' The Mercury Theatre on the Air'' * '' The Screen Guild Theater'' * '' Stars over Hollywood''

Genre series

Radio anthology series provided a format for

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...

, horror, suspense, and mystery genres (all produced in the US, unless noted): * '' Mystery House'' (1929–c.1944) * ''

The Witch's Tale ''The Witch's Tale'' is a horror-fantasy radio series which aired from May 21, 1931, to June 13, 1938, on WOR, the Mutual Radio Network, and in syndication. The program was created, written, and directed by Alonzo Deen Cole (February 22, 1897, St ...

'' (1931–38) (written by Alonzo Deen Cole) * '' Lights Out'' (1934–1947) (written by

Wyllis Cooper Wyllis Oswald Cooper (January 26, 1899 – June 22, 1955) was an American writer and producer. He is best remembered for creating and writing the old time radio programs '' Lights Out'' (1934–1947) and ''Quiet, Please'' (1947–1949 ...

/ Arch Oboler) * ''

The Hermit's Cave ''The Hermit's Cave'' was a syndicated radio horror series. The syndication was done via scripts, so that stations could broadcast the program with their own casts. The program began in September 1937 and continued into the mid-1940s on WJR AM ...

'' (1935–c.1945) * '' Famous Jury Trials'' (1936–1949) * '' Dark Fantasy'' (1941–42) (written by Scott Bishop) * '' Inner Sanctum Mysteries'' (1941–1952) (created by Himan Brown) * '' The Whistler'' (1942–1955) * ''

Suspense Suspense is a state of mental uncertainty, anxiety, being Decision-making, undecided, or being Doubt, doubtful. In a Drama, dramatic work, suspense is the anticipation of the wikt:outcome, outcome of a plot (narrative), plot or of the solution t ...

'' (1942–1962) * ''

The Mysterious Traveler ''The Mysterious Traveler'' was an anthology radio series, a magazine, and a comic book. All three featured stories which ran the gamut from fantasy and science fiction to straight crime dramas of mystery and suspense. Radio Written and direct ...

'' (1943–1952) (written by Robert Arthur, Jr. and narrated by

Maurice Tarplin Maurice Tarplin (April 1, 1911, Boston, Massachusetts – May 12, 1975) was a novelist and a radio actor best known as the narrator of '' The Mysterious Traveler'', employing a voice once described as "eerily sardonic." Radio Tarplin was a fami ...

) * ''

Creeps by Night ''Creeps by Night'' is an American old-time radio horror program. It was broadcast on the Blue Network February 15, 1944 - August 15, 1944. Format Using an anthology series format, ''Creeps by Night'' presented stories of suspense and mystery, de ...

'' (1944) * '' Mystery Playhouse'' (1944) (hosted by Peter Lorre) * '' The Strange Dr. Weird'' (1944–45) (15-minute shorts, written by Robert Arthur, Jr. and narrated by

) * ''The Haunting Hour'' (1944–1946) * ''

The Sealed Book ''The Sealed Book'' was a radio series of mystery and terror tales, produced and directed by Jock MacGregor for the Mutual network. Between March 18 and September 9, 1945, the melodramatic anthology series was broadcast on Sundays from 10:30 pm ...

'' (1945) (written by Robert Arthur, Jr.) * ''Mystery in the Air'' (1945–1947) (starring Peter Lorre) * ''The Weird Circle'' (1946–47) * ''Murder at Midnight'' (1946–1950) * '' Quiet, Please!'' (1947–1949) (written by

, starring

Ernest Chappell Ernest E. Chappell (June 10, 1903 - July 4, 1983)DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). ''Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960''. McFarland & Company, Inc. . P. 53. was an American radio announcer and actor, ...

) * ''

Escape Escape or Escaping may refer to: Computing * Escape character, in computing and telecommunication, a character which signifies that what follows takes an alternative interpretation ** Escape sequence, a series of characters used to trigger some s ...

'' (1947–1954) * ''The Unexpected'' (1948) (15-minute shorts) * ''Murder by Experts'' (1949–1951) * '' The Hall of Fantasy'' (1949–1953) * '' 2000 Plus'' (1950–1952) (the first adult science fiction series on radio) * '' Dimension X'' (1950–51) (featured adapted stories by authors including Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury and Kurt Vonnegut) * ''

ABC Mystery Theater ''ABC Mystery Theater'', also known as just simply ''Mystery Theater'' or ''Mystery Theatre'', was an American radio anthology, crime and mystery series from the 1950s. The program starred originally, actor Robert Carroll in the title role of ...

'' (1951–1954), anthology, crime and mystery series * ''Sleep No More'' (1952–1956) (featured Nelson Olmsted narrating his own adaptations of stories) * ''Theater 10:30'' (1955) (Canadian) * '' X Minus One'' (1955–1958) (revival and continuation of ''Dimension X'') The final episode of ''

'' was broadcast on September 30, 1962, a date that has traditionally been seen as marking the end of the old-time radio era. However, genre series produced since 1962 include: * ''

The Black Mass ''The Black Mass'' was a horror-fantasy radio drama produced by Erik Bauersfeld, a leading American radio dramatist of the post-television era. The series aired on KPFA (Berkeley) and KPFK (Los Angeles) from 1963 to 1967, on an irregular schedule ...

'' (1963–1967) * ''

The Creaking Door ''The Creaking Door'' was an old-time radio series of horror and suspense shows originating in South Africa. The Old Time Radio Researchers Group reports 42 extant episodes in MP3 MP3 (formally MPEG-1 Audio Layer III or MPEG-2 Audio Layer ...

'' (1964–65) (South African) * ''Beyond Midnight'' (1968–69) (South African) * '' The Zero Hour'' (1973–74) (hosted by Rod Serling) * '' Mystery Theater'' (1974–1982) (created by Himan Brown of ''Inner Sanctum Mysteries'') * '' Nightfall'' (1980–1983) (Canadian) * ''

The Cabinet of Dr. Fritz ''The Cabinet of Dr. Fritz'' was a 1984 binaural radio drama series produced by Thomas Lopez and the ZBS Foundation for NPR. At the beginning of each show, it was suggested that listeners wear headphones. Production “Fritz” was the nickna ...

'' (1984–85) (broadcast in "3D-Sound" stereo) * '' 2000X'' (2000) (literary adaptations) * '' The Twilight Zone'' (2002–03)

Television

In the history of television, live anthology dramas were especially popular during the Golden Age of Television of the 1950s with series such as '' The United States Steel Hour'' and '' The Philco Television Playhouse.'' Dick Powell came up with an idea for an anthology series, '' Four Star Playhouse'', with a rotation of established stars every week, four stars in all. The stars would own the studio and the program, as

Lucille Ball Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedienne and producer. She was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning five times, and was the recipient of several other accolades, such as the Gold ...

and Desi Arnaz had done successfully with

Desilu Desilu Productions () was an American television production company founded and co-owned by husband and wife Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. The company is best known for shows such as ''I Love Lucy'', ''The Lucy Show'', ''Mannix'', ''The Untouchabl ...

studio. Powell had intended for the program to feature himself,

Charles Boyer Charles Boyer (; 28 August 1899 – 26 August 1978) was a French-American actor who appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1976. After receiving an education in drama, Boyer started on the stage, but he found his success in American fi ...

, Joel McCrea, and Rosalind Russell. When Russell and McCrea backed out, David Niven came on board as the third star. The fourth star was initially a guest star. CBS liked the idea, and ''Four Star Playhouse'' made its debut in fall of 1952. It ran on alternate weeks only during the first season, alternating with ''

Amos 'n' Andy ''Amos 'n' Andy'' is an American radio sitcom about black characters, initially set in Chicago and later in the Harlem section of New York City. While the show had a brief life on 1950s television with black actors, the 1928 to 1960 radio sho ...

''. It was successful enough to be renewed and became a weekly program from the second season until the end of its run in 1956. Ida Lupino was brought on board as the de facto fourth star, though unlike Powell, Boyer, and Niven, she owned no stock in the company. American

television network A television network or television broadcaster is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, where a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay television providers. Until the mid ...

s would sometimes run summer anthology series which consisted of unsold

television pilot A television pilot (also known as a pilot or a pilot episode and sometimes marketed as a tele-movie), in United States television, is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell a show to a television network or other dis ...

s. Beginning in 1971, the long-run '' Masterpiece Theatre'' drama anthology series brought British productions to American television. In 2011, '' American Horror Story'' debuted a new type of anthology format in the U.S. Each season, rather than each episode, is a standalone story. Several actors have appeared in the various seasons, but playing different roles—in an echo of the ''Four Star Playhouse'' format. The success of ''American Horror Story'' has spawned other season-long anthologies such as ''

American Crime Story ''American Crime Story'' is an American anthology true crime television series developed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, who are also executive producers, alongside Brad Falchuk, Nina Jacobson, Ryan Murphy, and Brad Simpson. The seri ...

'' and '' True Detective''.

American drama

* '' The 20th Century Fox Hour'' (1955–1957) * '' ABC Movie of the Week'' (1969–1975) * '' ABC Stage 67'' (1966–67) * ''

Academy Theatre ''Academy Theatre'' is an American drama anthology series that aired on NBC in 1949. It ran for eight weeks as the summer replacement for '' Chevrolet on Broadway''. Format The series utilized a different cast each week who appeared in short w ...

'' (1949) * '' Actors Studio'' (1948–1950) * ''

Alcoa-Goodyear Theatre ''Alcoa Theatre'' is a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on Monday nights from September 30, 1957 to May 23, 1960. The program also aired under the title ''Turn of Fate''. ''Alcoa Theatre'' was syndicated together ...

'' (1957–58) * ''

The Alcoa Hour ''The Alcoa Hour'' is an American anthology television series that was aired live on NBC from 1955 to 1957. The series was sponsored by Alcoa. Overview Like the ''Philco Television Playhouse'' and ''Goodyear Television Playhouse'' that had prece ...

'' (1955–1957) * '' Alcoa Premiere'' (1961–1963) * '' American Crime'' (2015–2017) * ''

'' (2016–present) * '' American Horror Story'' (2011–present) * '' American Film Theatre'' (1973–1975) * '' American Playhouse'' (1981–1994) * '' The American Playwrights Theater: The One Acts'' (1989–90) * '' The American Short Story'' (1974–1980) * ''Appointment with Adventure'' (1955–56) * '' Armstrong Circle Theatre'' (1950–57) * '' The Barbara Stanwyck Show'' (1960–61) * '' Behind Closed Doors'' (1958–59) * ''

The Best of Broadway ''The Best of Broadway'' is a 60-minute live television anthology series that aired on CBS Television on Wednesdays at 10p.m. Eastern Standard Time from September 15, 1954, to May 4, 1955, for a total of nine episodes. Each show was broadcast liv ...

'' (1954–55) * ''

The Best of the Post ''The Best of the Post'' is a syndicated anthology drama television series adapted from stories published in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' magazine. It was produced by John J. Enders and hosted by John Conte. A total of 26 half-hour episodes, a ...

'' (1960–61) * '' Betty Crocker Star Matinee'' (1951–52) * ''

The Bigelow Theatre ''The Bigelow Theatre'' (also known as ''Bigelow-Sanford Theater'' and as ''Hollywood Half Hour'' and ''Marquee Theater'' in syndication) is an American anthology series originally broadcast on CBS Television and on the DuMont Television Network. ...

'' (1950–51) * '' The Billy Rose Show'', also known as Billy Rose's Playbill (1950–51) * '' Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre'' (1963–1967) * ''

The Bold Ones ''The Bold Ones'' is the umbrella title for several television series. It was produced by Universal Television and broadcast on NBC from 1969 to 1973. It was a wheel format series, an NBC programming approach also used by that network in serie ...

'' (1969–1973) * '' Broadway Television Theatre'' (1952–1954) * ''

Buick-Electra Playhouse ''Buick-Electra Playhouse'' is a 90-minute dramatic anthology series produced by and aired on CBS from 1959–1960. It was sponsored by Buick. There were a total of four episodes, all based on Ernest Hemingway's works, ''The Killers'', ''T ...

'' (1959–1960) * ''

Cameo Theatre ''Cameo Theatre'' is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from 1950 to 1955. Television in the round The live series, produced by Albert McCleery, introduced to television the concept of theater-in- ...

'' (1950–1955) * ''Camera Three'' (1955–1979) * ''The Campbell Playhouse (TV series), The Campbell Playhouse'', also known as ''Campbell Soundstage'' and ''Campbell Summer Soundstage'' (1952–1954) * '' Cavalcade of America'' (1952–1957) * ''CBS Playhouse'' (1967–1970) * ''CBS Summer Playhouse'' (1987–1989) * ''CBS Television Workshop'' (1952) * ''CBS Workshop'', also known as CBS Repertoire Workshop (1960) * ''Celanese Theatre'' (1951–52) * ''Celebrity Playhouse'' (1955–56) * ''Center Stage (TV series), Center Stage'' (1954) * ''Cheer Television Theatre'' (1954) * ''The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre'' also known as Chevrolet on Broadway (1948–1950) * ''Chevron Hall of Stars'' (1956) * ''Chevron Theatre'' (1952–53) * ''Climax!'' (1954–1958) * ''Colgate Theatre'' (1949–50) * ''Colgate Theatre'' (1958) * ''Conflict (American TV series), Conflict'' (1956–57) * ''Conrad Nagel Theater'' (1955) * ''Cosmopolitan Theatre'' (1951) * ''Crown Theatre with Gloria Swanson'' (1952–1955) * ''Curtain Call (US TV series), Curtain Call'' (1952) * ''Damon Runyon Theater'' (1955–56) * ''The Danny Thomas Hour'' (1967–68) * ''The David Niven Show'' (1959) * ''Deadline (1959 TV series), ''Deadline'''' (1959–1961) * ''Death Valley Days'' (1952–1970) * ''Decision (TV series), Decision'' (1958) * ''Demi-Tasse Tales'' (1953) * ''The Dick Powell Show'' (1961–1963) * ''Dispatches from Elsewhere'' (2020) * ''Douglas Fairbanks Presents, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents'', also known as ''Rheingold Theatre'' (1953–1957) * ''Drama at Eight'' (1953) * ''DuMont Royal Theater'' (1951–52) * ''The DuPont Show of the Month'' (1957–1961) * ''The DuPont Show of the Week'' (1961–1964) * ''The DuPont Show with June Allyson'' (1959–1961) * ''The Elgin Hour'' (1954–55) * ''The Errol Flynn Theatre'' (1956–57) * ''Ethel Barrymore Theatre (TV series), Ethel Barrymore Theatre'' (1956) * ''Faith Baldwin Romance Theatre'' (1951) * ''Fargo (TV series), Fargo'' (2014–present) * ''Feud (TV series), Feud'' (2017–present) * ''Fireside Theater'' (1949–1958) * ''The First Lady (American TV series), The First Lady'' (2022) * ''Footlights Theater'' (1952–53) * ''Ford Star Jubilee'' (1955–56) * ''Ford Television Theatre'' (1952–1957) * ''Ford Theatre'' (1948–1951) * '' Four Star Playhouse'' (1952–1956) * ''GE True'' (1962–63) * ''General Electric Theater'' (1953–1962) * ''General Electric Summer Originals'' (1956) * ''Genius (U.S. TV series), Genius'' (2017–present) * ''Goodyear Television Playhouse'' (1951–1957) * ''Goodyear Theatre'' (1957–1960) * ''Great Performances'' (1971–present) * ''Gruen Playhouse'', also known as Gruen Guild Theatre (1951–1953) * ''The Gulf Playhouse'' (1952–53) * ''Hallmark Hall of Fame'' (1951–present) * ''The Haunting (TV series), The Haunting'' (2018–present) * ''Hollywood Premiere Theatre'', also known as Hollywood Theatre Time (1950–51) * ''International Playhouse'' (1951) * ''John Waters Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You'' (2006) * ''The Joseph Cotten Show'', also known as ''On Trial'' (1956–1959) * ''Joseph Schildkraut Presents'' (1953–54) * ''The Kaiser Aluminum Hour'' (1956–57) * ''Kraft Television Theatre'' (1947–1958) * ''Law & Order True Crime'' (2017–present) * ''The Lloyd Bridges Show'' (1962–63) * ''The Loretta Young Show'' (1953–1961) * ''Lottery!'' (1983–84) * ''Love Story (DuMont TV series), Love Story'' (1954) * ''Love Story (1973 TV series), Love Story'' (1973–74) * ''Lux Playhouse'' (1958–59) * ''Lux Video Theater'' (1950–1959) * ''The Magnavox Theatre'' (1950) * ''The Mail Story'' (1954) * ''Masterpiece Contemporary'' (2008–2011) * ''Masterpiece Playhouse'' (1950) * ''Masterpiece Theatre'' (1971–present) * ''Matinee Theatre'' (1955–1958) * ''Max Liebman Spectaculars'', also known as ''Max Liebman Presents'' (1954–1956) * ''Medallion Theatre'', also known as ''Chrysler Medallion Theatre'' (1953–54) * ''MGM Parade'' (1955–56) * ''The Millionaire (TV series), The Millionaire'' (1955–1960) * ''Monodrama Theater'' (1953) * ''The Motorola Television Hour'' (1953–54) * ''Mr. Citizen (TV series), Mr. Citizen'' (1955) * ''The Nash Airflyte Theater'' (1950–51) * ''NBC Presents'' (1949–1950) * ''NBC Television Opera Theatre'' (1950–1964) * ''NET Playhouse'' (1964–1972) * ''New York Television Theatre'' (1965–1970) * ''Night Editor (TV series), Night Editor'' (1954) * ''Nine Thirty Curtain'' (1953–54) * ''The O. Henry Playhouse'' (1957) * ''One Man's Experience'' (1952–53) * ''One Woman's Experience'' (1952–53) * ''Orient Express (anthology), Orient Express'' (1953) * ''The Passerby (TV series), ''The Passerby'''' (1951–1956) * ''The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse'' (1953–1955) * ''Personal Appearance Theater'' (1951–52) * ''The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse'' (1948–1956) * '' The Philco Television Playhouse'' (1948–1955) * ''The Philip Morris Playhouse'' (1953–54) * ''The Play of the Week'' (1959–1961) * ''Playhouse 90'' (1956–1960) * ''Playwrights '56'' (1956) * ''Plymouth Playhouse'' also known as ''ABC Album'' (1953–54) * ''Ponds Theater'', also known as ''Kraft Television Theater'' (1953–1957) * ''Producers' Showcase'' (1954–1957) * ''Program Playhouse'' (1949) * ''Prudential Family Playhouse'' (1950–51) * ''Pulitzer Prize Playhouse'' (1950–52) * ''Pulse of the City'' (1953–54) * ''Pursuit (TV series), Pursuit'' (1958–59) * ''The Revlon Mirror Theater'' (1953) * ''The Richard Boone Show'' (1963–64) * ''The Robert Herridge Theatre'' (1960–61) * ''Robert Montgomery Presents'' (1950–1957) * ''Romance (American TV series), Romance'', also known as ''Theatre of Romance'' (1949–1950) * ''Romance Theatre'' (1982–83) * ''Room 104'' (2017–2020) * ''The Schaefer Century Theatre'' (1952) * ''Schilling Playhouse'' (1959–1960) * ''Schlitz Playhouse of Stars'' (1951–1959) * ''Scream (TV series), Scream'' (2015–19) * ''Screen Associates Films'' (1952–53) * ''Screen Director's Playhouse'' (1955–56) * ''The Seven Lively Arts'' (1957–58) * ''Short Short Dramas'' (1952–53) * ''The Silver Theatre'' (1949–1950) * ''Somerset Maugham TV Theatre'' (1950–51) * ''Stage 7'' (1955–56) * ''The Star and the Story'' (1955–56) * ''Star Stage'' (1955–56) * ''Star Tonight'' (1955–56) * ''Starlight Theatre (TV series), Starlight Theatre'' (1950–51) * ''Stars Over Hollywood'' (1950–51) * ''Startime (1959 TV series), Startime'' (1959–1960) * ''Studio One (CBS series), Studio One'' (1948–1958) * ''Studio 57'' (1954–1958) * ''Summer Playhouse'' (1964–1967) * ''Sunday Showcase (TV series), Sunday Showcase'' (1959–60) * ''Sweepstakes (TV series), Sweepstakes'' (1979) * ''Telephone Time'' (1956–1958) * ''Television Playhouse'' (1947–48) * ''Television Theatre'' (1950) * ''Theatre Hour'' (1949–1950) * ''Theatre of the Mind (TV series), Theatre of the Mind'' (1949) * ''Theatre '62'' (1961–62) * ''Tonight on Broadway'' (1948–49) * ''The Trap (1950 TV series), The Trap'' (1950) * ''TriBeCa (TV series), TriBeCa'' (1993) * '' True Detective'' (2014–present) * ''TV Reader's Digest'' (1955–56) * '' The United States Steel Hour'' (1953–1963) * ''Unsolved (U.S. TV series), Unsolved'' (2018–present) * ''Vacation Playhouse'' (1963–1967) * ''Visions (1976 TV series), Visions'' (1976–1980) * ''Warner Bros. Presents'' (1955–56) * ''The Watcher (1995 TV series), The Watcher'' (1995) * ''Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse'' (1958–1960) * ''Willys Theatre Presenting Ben Hecht's Tales of the City'' (1953) * ''Windows (TV series), Windows'' (1955) * ''Your Favorite Story'' (1953–1955) * ''Your Jeweler's Showcase'' (1952–53) * ''Your Show Time'' (1949) * ''Your Story Theatre'' (also known as ''Story Theatre'' and ''Durkee Story Theatre'') (1950–51)

British drama

* ''Armchair 30'' (1973) * ''Armchair Theatre'' (1956–1974) * ''Armchair Mystery Theatre'' (1960, 1964, 1965) * ''Armchair Thriller'' (1978–1981) * ''BBC Play of the Month'' (1965–1983) * ''BBC Sunday-Night Theatre'' (1950–1959) * ''BBC2 Playhouse'' (1973–1983) * ''Black Mirror'' (2011–) * ''A Choice of Coward'' (1964) * ''City '68'' (1967–68) * ''The Canterbury Tales (TV series), The Canterbury Tales'' (2003) * ''Creeped Out'' (2017–) * ''Drama (British TV series), Drama'' (1977) * ''Escape (UK TV series), Escape'' (1957) * ''Gaslight Theatre (TV series), Gaslight Theatre'' (1965) * ''H.M. Tennent Globe Theatre'' (1956) * ''Hour of Mystery'' (1957) * ''Inside No 9'' (2014–) * ''ITV Play of the Week'' (1955–1974) * ''ITV Playhouse'' (1967–1982) * ''ITV Sunday Night Theatre'' (1969–1974) * ''ITV Sunday Night Drama'' (1959–1980) * ''Festival (British TV series), Festival'' (1963–64) * ''Late Night Theatre'' (1972–1974) * ''Love Story (British TV series), Love Story'' (1963–1974) * ''London Playhouse'' (1955–56) * ''Moving On (TV series), Moving On'' (2009–) * ''National Theatre Live'' (2009–) * ''Orson Welles' Great Mysteries'' ( 1973–74) * ''Performance (British TV series), Performance'' (1991–1998) * ''Play for Today'' (1970–1984) * ''Play for Tomorrow'' (1982) * ''Playhouse Presents'' (2012–2014) * ''Saturday Playhouse'' (1958–1960) * ''Second City Firsts'' (1973–1978) * ''Screen One'' (1989–1993) * ''Screen Two'' (1985–1994) * ''Skins (UK TV series), Skins'' (2007–2013) * ''Stage 2'' (1971–72) * ''Tales of the Unexpected (TV series), Tales of the Unexpected'' (1979–1988) * ''Theatre Night'' (1985–1990) * ''Theatre Parade'' (1936–37) * ''Theatre 70'' (1960–61) * ''Theatre 625'' (1964–1968) * ''Theatre Royal (TV series), Theatre Royal'' (1955–56) * ''Thirty-Minute Theatre'' (1965–1973) * ''Thursday Theatre'' (1964–65) * ''The Afternoon Play'' (2003–2007) * ''The Wednesday Play'' (1964–1970) * ''Wales Playhouse'' (1990–1996) * ''Weekend Playhouse'' (1984)

Canadian drama

* ''First Performance'' (1955–1958) * ''General Motors Theatre'' (1953–1961) * ''Encounter (1958 TV series), Encounter'' (1958) * ''Norman Corwin Presents'' (1972) * ''On Camera (Canadian TV series), On Camera'' (1954–1958) * ''Playdate (CBC TV series), Playdate'' (1961–1964)

Indian drama

* ''Aahat'' (1995–2015) * ''Bible Ki Kahaniya'' (1993–1995) * ''Gumrah: End of Innocence'' (2012–2016) * ''Hoshiyar… Sahi Waqt, Sahi Kadam'' (2016–17) * ''Ishq Kills'' (2014) * ''Kabhie Kabhie (2003 TV series)'' (2003) * ''Katha Sagar'' (1986) * ''Kaun Hai?'' (2018–) * ''Kirdaar'' (1993–94) * ''Koi Aane Ko Hai'' (2009) * ''Khidki'' (2016) * ''Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat'' (2002–2004) * ''Laal Ishq (2018 TV series)'' (2018–) * ''Love by Chance (Indian TV series), Love by Chance'' (2014–15) * ''MTV Big F'' (2015–2017) * ''Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (TV series)'' (2014–) * ''Rishtey (TV series)'' (1997–2001) * ''Robi Thakurer Golpo'' (2015–16) * ''Saturday Suspense'' (2018–2020) * ''Star Bestsellers'' (1999–2000) * ''Stories by Rabindranath Tagore'' (2015–) * ''Teri Meri Love Stories'' (2012) * Twist wala love * ''Yeh Hai Aashiqui'' (2013–2016) * ''Yule Love Story'' (1993–1995)

Pakistani drama

* ''Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain'' (2011–2014) * ''Sasural Ke Rang Anokhay'' (2012–2013) * ''Shareek-e-Hayat'' (2014–2015) * ''Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain (season 2), Kitni Girhain Baqi Hain! Phir Se'' (2016–2017) * ''Ustani Jee'' (2018) * ''Kabhi Band Kabhi Baja'' (2018) * ''Choti Choti Batain'' (2019)

Philippine drama

*''Maalaala Mo Kaya'' (1991-present) *''Magpakailanman'' (2002-2007, 2012-present)

Thai drama

* ''Girl From Nowhere'' (2018–present)

Animated

* ''Adventures from the Book of Virtues'' (1996–2000) * ''Andersen Monogatari (TV series), Andersen Monogatari'' (1971) * ''Animal Stories'' (1998-2001) * ''Animated Tales of the World'' (2001–2003) * ''Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales'' (2006) * ''The Bob Clampett Show'' (2000–01) * ''Bugs 'n' Daffy'' (1995–1998) * ''The Bugs Bunny Show'' (1960–2000) * ''A Bunch of Munsch'' (1991–1992) * ''Cartoon Alley'' (2004–2007) * ''The Cartoonstitute'' (2010) * ''The Cat&Birdy Warneroonie PinkyBrainy Big Cartoonie Show'' (1999–2000) * ''CB Bears'' (1977–78) * ''The Chuck Jones Show'' (2001–02) * ''Ciné si'' (1989) * ''The Comic Strip (TV series), The Comic Strip'' (1987) * ''Cream Lemon'' (1984–1987) * ''DC Nation Shorts'' (2011–2014) * ''Donald Duck Presents'' (1983–1992) * ''Donald's Quack Attack'' (1992–2000) * ''Dragons et princesses'' (2010) * ''Fabulous Funnies'' (1978–79) * ''The Fairytaler'' (2002–03) * ''Famous Classic Tales'' (1970–1984) * ''Festival of Family Classics'' (1972–73) * ''Force Five'' (1980–1989) * ''Freaky Stories'' (1997–2000) * ''Fred Flintstone and Friends'' (1978–79) * ''Funpak'' (2005) * ''General Electric Fantasy Hour'' (c. 1960s) * ''Good Morning, Mickey!'' (1983–1992) * ''The Great Book of Nature'' (1999–2000) * ''Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics'' (1987–88) * ''Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids (TV series), Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids'' (2000–2012) * ''The Hanna-Barbera New Cartoon Series'' (1962–63) * ''Hanna–Barbera's World of Super Adventure'' (1979–1984) * ''Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child'' (1995–2000) * ''The Harveytoons Show'' (1950–1962) * ''HBO Storybook Musicals'' (1987–1993) * ''House of Mouse'' (2001–2003) * ''Infinity Train'' (2019–2021) * ''The Ink and Paint Club (TV series), The Ink and Paint Club'' (1997–98) * ''KaBlam!'' (1996–2000) * ''Kaboodle (TV series), Kaboodle'' (1987–1990) * ''Kideo TV'' (1986–87) * ''The Kwicky Koala Show'' (1981–82) * ''Late Night, Black and White'' (1996–2003) * ''Legends of Bikini Bottom'' (2011) * ''A Little Curious'' (1999–2000) * ''Manga Sekai Mukashi Banashi'' (1976-1979) * ''Mad (TV series), Mad'' (2010–2013) * ''The Marvel Super Heroes'' (1966) * ''The Merrie Melodies Show'' (1972) * ''Merrie Melodies Starring Bugs Bunny & Friends'' (1990–1992) * ''Mickey Mouse and Friends'' (1994–95) * ''Mickey Mouse Works'' (1999–2000) * ''Mickey's Mouse Tracks'' (1992–1995) * ''Mighty Mouse Playhouse'' (1955–1967) * ''Mononoke (TV series), Mononoke'' (2007) * ''The Mouse Factory'' (1972–73) * ''The Moxy Show'' (1993–1995) * ''My Little Pony (TV series), My Little Pony'' (1986–87) * ''The New Woody Woodpecker Show'' (1999–2002) * ''O Canada (TV series), O Canada'' (1997–2002) * ''Oh Yeah! Cartoons'' (1998–2001) * ''Peanuts (TV series), Peanuts'' (2016) * ''The Pink Panther Show'' (1969–80) * ''The Popeye Show'' (2001–2003) * ''The Porky Pig Show'' (1964–67) * ''Princes et princesses'' (1989) * ''Random! Cartoons'' (2008–09) * ''Raw Toonage'' (1992–93) * ''Right Now Kapow'' (2016–17) * ''The Road Runner Show'' (1966–1972) * ''Rumic Theater'' (2003–04) * ''Saturday Supercade'' (1983–84) * ''Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories'' (1992–1993) * ''Short Circutz'' (1994–1996) * ''Shorts in a Bunch'' (2007–08) * ''Shorty McShorts' Shorts'' (2006–07) * ''Super Sunday (TV series), Super Sunday'' (1985–86) * ''Super Why!'' (2007–2016) * ''Tales From the Cryptkeeper'' (1993–2000) * ''The Tex Avery Show'' (1996–2002) * ''Timeless Tales from Hallmark'' (1990–91) * ''ToonHeads'' (1992–2003) * ''Toon In with Me'' (2021–present) * ''Totally Tooned In'' (1999–2000) * ''Two More Eggs'' (2015–2017) * ''The Wacky World of Tex Avery'' (1997) * ''What a Cartoon!'' (1995–1997) * ''The Woody Woodpecker Show'' (1958–1959) * ''The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends'' (1992–95) * ''Zootopia+'' (2022–present)

Adult animation

* ''The Boys Presents: Diabolical'' (2022) * ''Cake (2019 TV series), Cake'' (2019–present) * ''Cartoon Sushi'' (1997–98) * ''Greatest Party Story Ever'' (2016) * ''Jokebook'' (1982) * ''Like, Share, Die'' (2015) * ''Liquid Television'' (1991–1994) * ''Love, Death & Robots'' (2019–present) * ''Off the Air (TV series), Off the Air'' (2011–present) * ''Party Legends'' (2016–17) * ''Robot Chicken'' (2005–present) * ''Spicy City'' (1997) * ''Sunday Pants'' (2005–06)

Children and family

* ''ABC Afterschool Special'' (1972–1997) * ''ABC Weekend Special'' (1977–1997) * ''CBS Afternoon Playhouse'' (1978–1983) * ''CBS Children's Film Festival'' (1967–1978) * ''CBS Children's Mystery Theatre'' (1980–1982) * ''CBS Schoolbreak Special'' (1984–1996) * ''CBS Storybreak'' (1985–1987) * ''Disneyland (TV series), Disneyland'' (1954–1958) * ''Dramarama (TV series), Dramarama'' (1983–1989) * ''Faerie Tale Theatre'' (1982–1987) * ''The Fox Cubhouse'' (1994–1996) (contains Johnson and Friends, Jim Henson's Animal Show, Rimba's Island, Magic Adventures of Mumfie and Budgie the Little Helicopter) * ''It's Itsy Bitsy Time'' (1999) (contains Budgie the Little Helicopter, 64 Zoo Lane, The Animal Shelf, Tom and Vicky and Charley and Mimmo) * ''Jackanory'' (UK, 1972–1985) * ''Lift Off (Australian TV series), Lift Off'' (1992–1995) * ''NBC Children's Theatre'' (1963–1973) * ''Noddy (TV series), Noddy'' (1998–2000) * ''Off to See the Wizard'' (1967–68) * ''Once Upon a Classic'' (1976–1980) * ''Shining Time Station'' (1989–1993) * ''Shirley Temple's Storybook'' (1958–1961) * ''Special Treat'', also known as ''NBC Special Treat'' (1975–1986) * ''Tall Tales and Legends'' (1985–1987) * ''Walt Disney Presents'' (1958–1961) * ''Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color'' (1961–1969) * ''The Wonderful World of Disney'' (1969–2009) * ''WonderWorks'' (1984) * ''The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss'' (1996–98)

Comedies

* The Comic Strip Presents... (1982–2015) * ''Carol and Company'' (1990–91) * ''Cilla's Comedy Six'' (UK, 1975) * ''Cilla's World of Comedy'' (UK, 1976) * ''Comedy Lab'' (1998–) * ''Comedy Playhouse'' (UK, 1961–2014) * ''Dear Uge'' (2016–) * ''Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible'' (2001) * ''The Eddie Cantor Comedy Theatre'' (1955) * ''El Chapulín Colorado'' (1973–1979) * ''Ripping Yarns'' (UK, 1978–79) * ''George Burns Comedy Week'' (1985) * ''Good Heavens'' (1976) * ''The Guest Book'' (2017–2018) * ''High Maintenance'' (2012–2015, 2016–present) * ''Human Remains (TV series), Human Remains'' (2000) * ''Inside No. 9'' (2014–) * ''Oboler Comedy Theater'' (1949) * ''Love, American Style'' (1969–1974) * Miracle Workers (2019 TV series), ''Miracle Workers'' (2019–present) * ''Murder Most Horrid'' (UK, 1991–1999) * ''The Ronnie Barker Playhouse'' (UK, 1968) * ''Seven of One'' (UK, 1973) * ''Six Dates with Barker'' (UK, 1971) * ''Undressed'' (1999–2002)

Crime dramas

* ''Adventure Theater'' (1956) * '' American Crime'' (2015–2017) * ''

'' (2016–) * ''Agatha Christie's Marple'' (UK, 2005–2014) * ''Agatha Christie's Poirot'' (UK, 1989–2014) * ''The Big Story (radio and TV series), The Big Story'' (1949–1958) * ''The Black Robe (1949 TV series), The Black Robe'', also known as ''Police Night Court'' (1949–1950) * ''Crime Patrol (TV series), Crime Patrol'' (2003–) * ''Fargo (TV series), Fargo'' (2014–) * ''FBI: The Untold Stories'' (1991–1993) * ''Gang Busters'' (1952, 1954–55) * ''Lawbreakers (TV series), Lawbreakers'' (1963–64) * ''The Man Behind the Badge'' (1953–1955) * ''Official Detective'' (1957–58) * ''Police Call (anthology), Police Call'' (1955) * ''Police Story (1952 TV series), Police Story'' (1952) * ''Police Story (1973 TV series), Police Story'' (1973–1978) * ''Tatort'' (1970–) * ''The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (TV series), The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes'' (UK, 1971–1973) * ''They Stand Accused'' (1949–1952, 1954) * ''True Detective (TV series), True Detective'' (2014–2019) * ''Underbelly (TV series), Underbelly'' (2008–) * ''The Walter Winchell File'' (1957–58) * ''The Whistler (TV series), The Whistler'' (1954–55) * ''The Sinner (TV series), The Sinner'' (2017–2021)

Educational

* ''Inside/Out (U.S. TV series), Inside/Out'' (1972–73) * ''Omnibus (U.S. TV series), ''Omnibus'''' (US, 1952–1961)

Historical

* ''Captain Canada (comics), Captain Newfoundland from the Tip of Atlantis''/''Captain Atlantis Late Night'' (Canada, 1972–present) * ''The Great Adventure (U.S. TV series), ''The Great Adventure'''' (1963–64) * ''Our American Heritage'' (1959–1961) * ''Profiles in Courage (TV series), Profiles in Courage'' (1964–65) * ''Saga of Western Man'' (1963–1969) * ''You Are There (series), You are There'' (1953–1957)

Medical

* ''The Doctor (1952 TV series), The Doctor'', also known as ''The Visitor'' (1952–53) * ''Medic (TV series), Medic'' (1954–1956) * ''Medical Story'' (1975–76)

Military

* ''Flight (TV series), Flight'' (1958–59) * ''Men of Annapolis'' (1957–58) * ''Navy Log'' (1955–1958) * ''The Silent Service (TV series), The Silent Service'' (1957–1959) * ''The West Point Story (TV series), ''The West Point Story'' ''aka ''West Point'' (1956–57)

Mystery and suspense

* ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' (1955–1965) * ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985 TV series), Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' (1985–89) * ''Behind Closed Doors (1958 TV series)'' (1958–59) * ''The Best in Mystery'' (1954) * ''The Boris Karloff Mystery Playhouse'' (1949) * ''Byline (TV series), Byline'', also known as ''Adventures in Mystery'' and ''News Gal'' (1951) * ''The Chevy Mystery Show'' (1960) * ''The Clock (TV series), The Clock'' (1949–1952) * ''Danger (TV series), Danger'' (1950–1955) * ''Dark of Night'' (1952–1954) * ''Darkroom (TV series), Darkroom'' (1981–82) * ''Dow Hour of Great Mysteries'' (1960) * ''Edgar Wallace Mysteries, The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre'' (US TV version of British theatrical second features, 1960–1965) * ''Escape (1950 TV series), Escape'' (1950) * ''Escape (1973 TV series), Escape'' (1973) * ''Espionage (TV series), Espionage'' (1963–64) * ''Eye Witness (TV series), Eye Witness'' (1953) * ''Fallen Angels (American TV series), Fallen Angels'' (1993–1995) * ''The George Sanders Mystery Theater, George Sanders Mystery Theater'' (1957) * ''Gun (TV series), Gun'' (1997) * ''Hands of Mystery'', also known as ''Hands of Destiny'', ''Hands of Murder'' (1949–1952) * ''The Hitchhiker (TV series), The Hitchhiker'' (1983–1987) * ''I Spy (1955 TV series), I Spy'' (1955–1957) * ''Inner Sanctum (TV series), Inner Sanctum'' (1954) * ''Invitation Playhouse: Mind Over Murder'' (1952) * ''Kraft Mystery Theatre'' (Summer 1961, 1962, 1963) * ''Kraft Suspense Theatre'' (1963–1965) * ''Mr. Arsenic'' (1952) * ''Murder in Mind (TV series), Murder in Mind'' (2001–2003) * ''Murder Most Horrid'' (UK, 1991–99) * ''Mystery!'' (1980–) * ''Panic! (TV series), Panic!'' (1957–58) * ''Philip Morris Playhouse (TV series), Philip Morris Playhouse'' (1953–54) * ''Rebound (American TV series), Rebound'', also known as ''Counterpoint'' (1952–53) * ''Scene of the Crime (TV series), Scene of the Crime'' (1991–92) * ''Stage 13'' (1950) * ''Sure as Fate'' (1950–51) * ''Suspense (U.S. TV series), Suspense'' (1949–1954) * ''Suspicion (American TV series), Suspicion'' (1957–58) * ''Target (1958 TV series), Target'' (1958) * ''Twisted Tales (TV series), Twisted Tales'' (1996–97) * ''Two Twisted'' (2006) (Sequel to Twisted Tales) * ''The Vise (1955 TV series)'' (1955–57) * ''Volume One (TV series), Volume One'' (1949) * ''The Web (1950 TV series), The Web'' (1950–1954) * ''The Web (1957 TV series), The Web'', syndication title ''Undercurrent'' (1957) * ''Your Play Time'' (1953–1955)

Religious

Science fiction and horror

Westerns

Film

Anthology film series are rare compared to their TV and radio counterparts. There have been several attempts within the horror genre to have a franchise with an anthology format, such as with the Halloween (franchise), ''Halloween'' franchise where the third film, ''Halloween: Season of the Witch'', was meant to be the beginning of a series of anthology horror films, but due to negative reception that plan was shelved.

Drama series

Genre

Video games

Anthology video games have seen very rare in the 1980s and onwards.

References

{{Reflist

External links

National Audio Theatre: "Inebriate of Air: A Short History of Contemporary American Radio Drama" by Sarah Montague, (June 8, 1999)

Anthology television series, Radio formats Television genres Television terminology Films by type Anthology film series, fr:Série télévisée#Anthologie