Italicize TV Show Titles? A Style Guide for Television and More
Titles of television shows, movies, and radio programs should be italicized. However, individual episodes are enclosed in quotation marks. This applies to all writing, from essays and research papers to blog posts. Consistent formatting ensures clarity and professionalism.
Formal names of channels and networks like The Discovery Channel or HBO are capitalized. This distinguishes them from generic terms. For example: “She watches programs on The History Channel.”
Musical works differ slightly. Opera and musical titles are italicized, but individual songs or arias are in quotation marks. For example, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is from the album A Night at the Opera.
Album and CD titles are also italicized, such as Thriller by Michael Jackson. Individual song titles are enclosed in quotation marks.
Instrumental music titles with numbers or keys are capitalized but not italicized: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, also known as the Choral Symphony. The descriptive title, Choral Symphony, is italicized as an alternative title.
Italicize website names like The New York Times or National Geographic. Omit “https://” for cleaner text, but always use secure “https” links in references.
Italicize titles of paintings, sculptures, and statues, like Michelangelo’s David or Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Photographs are enclosed in quotation marks. Cartoon and comic strip titles are italicized: Calvin and Hobbes or The Far Side.
