BibCite

MLA 9 TV/Radio Broadcast Citation Generator

Citing a tv/radio broadcast (television or radio broadcast episode) under the Modern Language Association (9th Edition) framework requires combining MLA 9 (Modern Language Association)'s punctuation hierarchy with the specific metadata of the source. To construct a compliant entry, researchers must collect the writer and/or director (or executive producer for series), air date, episode title, season and episode number, overarching series title, network/studio, and platform. In the body of your paper, MLA 9 (Modern Language Association) utilizes concise author-page or author-timestamp parentheticals, e.g., ( butler 88 ) or (Chomsky 00:14:20), which links directly to an entry organized in strictly alphabetical by creator surname in the Works Cited list, using three em-dashes (———.) for repeated authors.

When formatting a tv/radio broadcast in MLA 9 (Modern Language Association), pay close attention to contributor names and capitalization. Specifically, MLA 9 (Modern Language Association) enforces Last Name, First Name for the lead creator, comma "and" First Last for a second creator, and "et al." for three or more, and applies Title Case across all titles (except social media posts quoted verbatim), using quotation marks for contained works and italics for containers. MLA 9th edition refines the Container System with dedicated supplemental elements, explicit guidance for digital platforms, and flexible contributor labels. Furthermore, if your tv/radio broadcast does not display an individual creator, the rule is straightforward: for a specific TV episode, list the writer and director with their roles in parentheses; for a whole series, credit the executive producer(s).

For digital and online tv/radio broadcast references, MLA 9 (Modern Language Association) stipulates retaining or stripping "https://" consistently while always providing active https://doi.org/ links when a DOI is available. Always include the season and episode numbers in parentheses after the episode title so viewers can locate the exact broadcast. Using the client-side MLA 9 (Modern Language Association) TV/Radio Broadcast generator below, you can automatically parse URLs, DOIs, or ISBNs and apply these exact Citation Style Language (CSL) rules locally in your browser with zero server tracking.

Live MLA 9 (Modern Language Association) Example

Kirk, M. (2024, March 5). The One Hundred Billion Dollar Question (Season 52, Episode 4). Frontline / PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/

Critical Errors to Avoid

  • Source-Specific Pitfall: Italicizing the individual episode title instead of the overarching television or radio series title.
  • Title & Author Formatting: Failing to apply MLA 9 (Modern Language Association)'s requirement of Title Case across all titles (except social media posts quoted verbatim), using quotation marks for contained works and italics for containers, or violating the contributor rule (Last Name, First Name for the lead creator, comma "and" First Last for a second creator, and "et al." for three or more).
  • Locator & Sorting Mismatch: Ordering the bibliography incorrectly instead of using strictly alphabetical by creator surname in the Works Cited list, using three em-dashes (———.) for repeated authors, or neglecting MLA 9 (Modern Language Association)'s link rule for a tv/radio broadcast (retaining or stripping "https://" consistently while always providing active https://doi.org/ links when a DOI is available).
Cite a

Auto-Cite by PDF

Drag your research paper directly into the zone. We securely scan headers and DOIs to build the reference instantly.

Drag & Drop PDF

Scan metadata & DOIs (Max 4.5MB)

Untitled Project

Your library is empty.

Start by searching above or entering manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information do I need to cite a tv/radio broadcast in MLA 9 (Modern Language Association)?

To cite a tv/radio broadcast according to Modern Language Association (9th Edition) standards, you need the writer and/or director (or executive producer for series), air date, episode title, season and episode number, overarching series title, network/studio, and platform. Our generator formats these elements using Title Case across all titles (except social media posts quoted verbatim), using quotation marks for contained works and italics for containers.

How do I cite a tv/radio broadcast with no author in MLA 9 (Modern Language Association)?

When a tv/radio broadcast has no named individual author, for a specific TV episode, list the writer and director with their roles in parentheses; for a whole series, credit the executive producer(s). The MLA 9 (Modern Language Association) engine automatically adjusts both the full reference entry and the in-text citation (concise author-page or author-timestamp parentheticals, e.g., ( butler 88 ) or (Chomsky 00:14:20)) when the author field is left blank.

How are in-text citations formatted for a tv/radio broadcast in MLA 9 (Modern Language Association)?

In MLA 9 (Modern Language Association), in-text references use concise author-page or author-timestamp parentheticals, e.g., ( butler 88 ) or (Chomsky 00:14:20). In the final reference list, your tv/radio broadcast entries must be arranged in strictly alphabetical by creator surname in the Works Cited list, using three em-dashes (———.) for repeated authors.

Do I need to include a URL or access date for an online tv/radio broadcast in MLA 9 (Modern Language Association)?

Under Modern Language Association (9th Edition) guidelines, online tv/radio broadcast citations follow retaining or stripping "https://" consistently while always providing active https://doi.org/ links when a DOI is available. Always include the season and episode numbers in parentheses after the episode title so viewers can locate the exact broadcast.