Soap Operas as TV Serials
When watching TV soap operas are perhaps the epitome of the TV serial, with plots which stretch over the course of years and decades. By contrast, police procedurals and “case of the week” medical shows can be followed much more easily, as viewing order is not essential. Even though TV serials have been designed for television, they have thrived in the DVD format. Many serials have die-hard fans that purchase seasons as they come out on DVD so that they can watch again, both to keep up on the plot and to appreciate the serial, re-watching favorite episodes and analyzing the characters.
Some television franchises which have only performed moderately well on air have gone on to thrive on DVD, which would seem to suggest that viewers are, in fact, intellectually capable of following and enjoying serial television. Fan campaigns to save and promote TV serials have also illustrated the depth of involvement with the characters which can develop over the course of a long-running show.