showrunner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Professional/Media
Quick answer
What does “showrunner” mean?
The person with primary creative control and managerial responsibility for a television series.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The person with primary creative control and managerial responsibility for a television series.
A producer-writer who oversees all creative aspects of a TV show, from story development and writing to casting and editing, often serving as the head writer and/or executive producer.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and is predominantly used in American television industry jargon, but has been fully adopted in British media contexts without alteration.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes significant creative power, responsibility, and often celebrity status within the industry. Slightly more established as a formal credit in US television.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English due to larger TV production industry, but equally understood in UK professional circles.
Grammar
How to Use “showrunner” in a Sentence
[showrunner] of [TV series][showrunner] for [network/streamer][showrunner] on [project]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “showrunner” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The showrunner decided to film the new series in Manchester rather than London.
- After the controversy, the showrunner issued a statement to the press.
American English
- The showrunner pitched the concept to HBO last month.
- She's showrunner on three different Netflix series simultaneously.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The streaming service negotiated directly with the showrunner about budget and creative direction.
Academic
The study examines how the showrunner model has changed television authorship in the 21st century.
Everyday
My favourite series has a new showrunner next season, so I hope the quality stays high.
Technical
The showrunner's fee typically includes writing, producing, and overall creative supervision.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “showrunner”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “showrunner”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “showrunner”
- Using 'showrunner' for film directors (it's TV-specific).
- Confusing with 'producer' (showrunner is a specific type of producer).
- Spelling as two words: 'show runner'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Less commonly. The term is most associated with scripted drama and comedy series, where creative writing is central.
Yes, 'co-showrunners' is common, especially when writers share creative leadership or when a veteran showrunner mentors a successor.
All showrunners are executive producers, but not all executive producers are showrunners. A showrunner has day-to-day creative and managerial control.
It gained widespread use in the 2000s, coinciding with the rise of prestige television and increased recognition of TV writers as primary authors.
The person with primary creative control and managerial responsibility for a television series.
Showrunner is usually professional/media in register.
Showrunner: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃəʊrʌnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃoʊrʌnər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run the show”
- “have the showrunner's chair”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHOW + RUNNER: Imagine someone literally running the entire television show from start to finish.
Conceptual Metaphor
CREATIVE CONTROL IS CAPTAINCY / AUTHORSHIP IS OWNERSHIP
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT typically a responsibility of a showrunner?