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WHAT WAS THE FIRST TV SERIES IN THE WORLD?

A collage of four black and white images, each representing historic film and television productions. In the upper left corner, a scene from the silent serial What Happened to Mary (1912) shows three characters aboard a ship, wearing period costumes. In the lower left corner, a photograph from The Queen’s Messenger (1928) depicts four people seated in an elegant room, gathered around a microphone at station WGY, symbolizing the early days of television broadcasting. In the upper right corner, a scene from the program The Television Ghost (1931) features a ghostly figure wrapped in a sheet, with a frightening expression. In the lower right corner, a still from Pinwright's Progress (1946) shows a man in a suit and bow tie, displaying a comical expression in a shop or office setting, representing one of the first British sitcoms.
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WHAT WAS THE FIRST TV SERIES IN THE WORLD?

A collage of four black and white images, each representing historic film and television productions. In the upper left corner, a scene from the silent serial What Happened to Mary (1912) shows three characters aboard a ship, wearing period costumes. In the lower left corner, a photograph from The Queen’s Messenger (1928) depicts four people seated in an elegant room, gathered around a microphone at station WGY, symbolizing the early days of television broadcasting. In the upper right corner, a scene from the program The Television Ghost (1931) features a ghostly figure wrapped in a sheet, with a frightening expression. In the lower right corner, a still from Pinwright's Progress (1946) shows a man in a suit and bow tie, displaying a comical expression in a shop or office setting, representing one of the first British sitcoms.
Above left: What Happened to Mary (1912), one of the first silent serials in history. Below left: The Queen’s Messenger (1928), a pioneer in dramatic television broadcasts. Above right: The Television Ghost (1931), one of the first TV horror shows. Below right: Pinwright’s Progress (1946), considered the first british television sitcom.

Introduction

With huge hits like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, and Game of Thrones, have you ever wondered what was the first TV series in history? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think!

In this article, we’ll dive into the origins of television series and explore the productions that shaped what we now call “TV shows.”

Before TV: The Serial Films

Before television even existed, serialized storytelling was already popular in cinemas. One of the first examples was What Happened to Mary (1912), a film serial released on July 26, 1912, and directed by Charles Brabin.

Unlike regular films of the time, What Happened to Mary featured a continuous storyline, with 12 interconnected episodes, each ending on a cliffhanger to keep audiences hooked.

The First TV Series? It Depends on the Definition!

If we define the first dramatic transmission for television, then The Queen’s Messenger (1928) takes the crown. This was one of the earliest televised drama broadcasts, but it wasn’t exactly a series with recurring episodes.

However, if we’re looking for the first TV show with continuous episodes, The Television Ghost (1931) stands out. In this series, a single actor played the ghosts of murder victims, telling their tragic stories.

The First Sitcom in History

Now, if we talk about something closer to modern TV shows, with episodic structure and recurring characters, then the British show Pinwright’s Progress (1946-1947) is often credited as the first sitcom in history.

Conclusion

So, what was the first TV series in the world? Well, it depends!

  • If we include pre-TV serials, then What Happened to Mary (1912) is the winner.
  • If we consider the first televised drama, then The Queen’s Messenger (1928) is the answer.
  • If we focus on the first continuous TV series, The Television Ghost (1931) takes the title.
  • But the first sitcom ever made? That’s Pinwright’s Progress (1946-1947).

No matter how we define it, it’s amazing to see how far TV series have come! Now, tell us: What’s your all-time favorite TV show? Drop your answer in the comments!

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