Television

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest A long-running televised New Year's Eve special originating in Times Square, created by Dick Clark and now hosted by Ryan Seacrest, known for live music, countdowns and the ball dr…

Dick Dastardly: Hanna‑Barbera's scheming cartoon antagonist Dick Dastardly Dick Dastardly is a long‑running fictional antagonist created by Hanna‑Barbera, known for his plots, his dog Muttley, and appearances in Wacky Races, spin‑offs and later revivals.

Diff'rent Strokes: American sitcom about family and social change Diff'rent Strokes Diff'rent Strokes is an American sitcom (1978–1986) about a wealthy widower who adopts two African-American brothers. The series mixed comedy with social issues and launched severa…

Digital television: technology, history, and uses Digital television Overview of digital television: how it encodes video and audio, key features and standards, transition from analog, distribution methods, benefits and limitations, and examples of…

Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) — international standards for digital television Digital Video Broadcasting Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) is a family of standards for transmitting television and related audiovisual services in digital form over satellite, cable, terrestrial and IP net…

Dil Se Dil Tak (Indian television series) Dil Se Dil Tak Dil Se Dil Tak was an Indian Hindi romantic drama about surrogacy, love and family that aired on Colors TV from January 2017 to June 2018, inspired by the film Chori Chori Chupke C…

Dinnerladies — British workplace sitcom by Victoria Wood Dinnerladies British sitcom written by and starring Victoria Wood, set in the canteen of a fictional Manchester factory. Two series (16 episodes) broadcast by the BBC from 1998 to 2000.

Direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) Direct-broadcast satellite DBS delivers television and audio signals from high-power satellites directly to small home dishes. It uses Ku/Ka bands and digital standards for pay-TV, free-to-air and data servi…

Discovery Channel Discovery Channel is a global cable television network known for documentaries and popular science, nature, history and reality programming, plus international feeds and a streamin…

Discovery Family: U.S. family and children's television network Discovery Family Discovery Family is a U.S. cable and satellite television channel that evolved from Discovery Kids and The Hub, offering a mix of children’s animation and family-oriented non-ficti…

Disney Channel American cable television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company, launched in 1983 and known for family-oriented series, original movies, and youth-targeted programming across mu…

Disney Channel Portugal — overview, programming and distribution Disney Channel Portugal Portuguese feed of Disney Channel offering animated series, live-action shows, films and themed blocks for children and teens; localized dubbing, regional scheduling and availabili…

Disney Junior — American preschool television brand and channel Disney Junior Disney Junior is a Walt Disney Company brand and television channel aimed at preschoolers, offering original series, movies and educational programming via cable, satellite, brande…

Disney Television Animation Television animation production unit of The Walt Disney Company, producing animated series, TV films, specials and preschool programming since the 1980s; renamed Disney Television…

Disney XD: history, programming and international transition Disney XD Disney XD is a Disney-branded television network for older children, known for action-oriented animation, live-action comedies and superhero series. Launched in the late 2000s, it…

Dixon of Dock Green Long-running BBC police series (1955–1976) centred on PC George Dixon. Known for its gentle, moral tone, community policing image and cultural influence on British television drama…

The Doctor (Doctor Who) Doctor (Doctor Who) The Doctor is the central, time-travelling protagonist of the BBC series Doctor Who: a gallant, eccentric Time Lord who travels in the TARDIS, regenerates into new forms and is acc…

The Doctor (Star Trek: Voyager) Doctor (Star Trek) Fictional holographic chief medical officer aboard USS Voyager. An Emergency Medical Hologram who develops personality, autonomy, and explores ethics, creativity, and rights in Sta…

Doctor Who: overview, history, characters and cultural impact Doctor Who A comprehensive overview of the BBC science‑fiction series Doctor Who: premise, key elements like the TARDIS and regeneration, production history, spin-offs, and its cultural impor…

Doctor Who — Series 6 (2011): overview, storylines and production Doctor Who (series 6) Overview of Doctor Who series 6 (2011): broadcast pattern, main cast, major story arcs including River Song and the Silence, notable episodes, production and reception.

Companions of Doctor Who: roles, origins, and notable characters Doctor Who companions Examine Doctor Who companions—their roles, origins, and notable figures across the series. Discover how companions shape narratives, act as audience surrogates, and evolve with eac…

Dollhouse (TV series) American science fiction drama created by Joss Whedon starring Eliza Dushku. The series examines identity, consent and memory through a secret service that imprints personalities o…

Donkey Kong Country (TV series) A 1990s French–Canadian animated children's series based on the Donkey Kong Country video game; follows Donkey Kong and friends as they protect the magical Crystal Coconut from Kin…

Donna Noble — Companion of the Tenth Doctor (Doctor Who) Donna Noble (Doctor Who) Donna Noble is a companion of the Tenth Doctor in the British series Doctor Who, known for her wit, outspoken personality, and a tragic arc that ends with her memory of the Doctor…

Dora the Explorer: preschool series, bilingual education and cultural impact Dora the Explorer Animated preschool series created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh and Eric Weiner. Launched 1999–2000, Dora popularized interactive bilingual education and grew into a global multi…

Dos Mujeres, un Camino (1993 Mexican telenovela) Dos Mujeres, Un Camino 1993 Televisa telenovela about a long‑distance truck driver torn between family duty and a new love; noted for its road‑life setting, melodramatic themes and high audience ratings…

Dot Branning (Dot Cotton) — fictional character from EastEnders Dot Branning Dot Branning, commonly known as Dot Cotton, is a long-running fictional character in the BBC soap EastEnders, portrayed by June Brown. A moralising laundrette worker with a complex…

Doug (animated television series) Doug Doug is an American animated coming‑of‑age series created by Jim Jinkins, first broadcast on Nickelodeon (1991–94) and later produced for ABC (1996–99). It follows adolescent Doug…

Dragon Tales (animated children's television series) Dragon Tales Dragon Tales is an animated fantasy series for young children that follows two siblings who visit a magical world of dragons; it emphasizes problem-solving, cooperation, and social…

Dragons' Den A television format in which entrepreneurs pitch to wealthy investors ("dragons") for capital in exchange for equity. Originated in Japan and adapted widely, including the UK's lon…

Drake & Josh American teen sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon (2004–2007), about two mismatched stepbrothers balancing family life, school and comedy; launched several TV films and boosted young…

Drama (British TV channel) Drama is a UKTV-operated free-to-air channel in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland that broadcasts classic and contemporary drama and comedy-drama series on linear and catch-u…

DStv: Overview of MultiChoice’s Satellite Television Service in Sub‑Saharan Africa DStv DStv is MultiChoice’s subscription satellite TV service across Sub‑Saharan Africa, offering tiered channel bouquets, local and international programming, and platform features for…

Duck Dynasty (American reality television series) Duck Dynasty A reality TV series chronicling the Robertson family and their Duck Commander business, notable for its portrayal of Southern rural life, faith, hunting culture, commercial success…

DuckTales — 1980s Disney animated adventure series and its legacy DuckTales Overview of DuckTales, the 1987–1990 Disney animated series starring Scrooge McDuck and his grandnephews, its characters, episodes, spinoffs, film and later reboot.

Duff Beer — fictional beer from The Simpsons Duff Beer Duff Beer is the satirical fictional lager in The Simpsons, known as Homer Simpson's favorite and promoted by mascot Duffman. It parodies mass-market beer advertising and has a not…

Dynasty (1981 TV series) American primetime soap opera that aired on ABC from 1981 to 1989, following the wealthy Carrington family in Denver and known for melodrama, fashion, and its 1980s cultural impact…

E4 (British television channel) E4 (TV channel) E4 is a UK entertainment channel owned by Channel 4, aimed at younger viewers and known for drama, comedy and imported series. Launched in 2001, it later added HD and timeshift ser…

EastEnders EastEnders is a long-running British television soap set in the fictional East London borough of Walford, noted for its ensemble cast and storylines addressing everyday life and so…

Eat Bulaga! — long-running Philippine noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! Eat Bulaga! is a Filipino noontime variety program that debuted in 1979. Known for games, comedy, musical numbers and community segments, it has shaped Philippine popular culture a…

Ed Sullivan (1901–1974) — American television host and entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan Ed Sullivan was a prominent American entertainment writer and TV presenter best known for hosting The Ed Sullivan Show (1948–1971), a long-running variety program that introduced m…

Ed, Edd n Eddy: overview, characters, production and legacy Ed, Edd n Eddy Animated comedy series by Danny Antonucci about three friends in a suburban cul-de-sac whose get-rich schemes for jawbreakers drive surreal, slapstick adventures.

Eden (TV channel) Eden is a British pay television channel in the UK and Ireland focusing on natural history and factual programming. It is part of the UKTV family and was relaunched in its current…

El Chapulín Colorado Mexican television comedy character and series created by Roberto Gómez Bolaños. A satirical superhero in a red costume, known for comic gadgets, memorable catchphrases and wide cu…

El Chavo del Ocho Mexican television sitcom created by Roberto Gómez Bolaños. A comedic series set in a neighborhood courtyard that became a defining work of Latin American popular culture and spawn…

El color de la pasión A Mexican telenovela produced by Televisa. A melodramatic television series that explores love, betrayal and family secrets, distributed domestically and to international Spanish-s…

Elle McFeast Elle McFeast was a satirical television persona created and performed by Australian comedienne Libbi Gorr, known for Live and Sweaty and for provocative interviews and specials tha…

Elmo (Sesame Street character) Elmo Elmo is a red, childlike Muppet from Sesame Street known for his high-pitched voice, third-person speech, Elmo's World segment, pet fish Dorothy, and the 1990s 'Tickle Me Elmo' toy…