Show runner

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A term used in the United States television industry referring to the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a television series. Another term for show runner, in some production companies, is line producer. The show runner's responsibility is rarely shared between two or more people. This role is often given to the series's creator(s); however, if the show's distributor (e.g., the network, studio, etc.) feels that the creator isn’t experienced enough to handle running the show, it will hire someone whom they know has the experience to shepherd the show through production.

Creatively, a show runner will decide the direction that the series will take. If he or she is not the actual originator of the show, this will usually be done in concert with the creator. The show runner will have to plan out the individual episodes and how they relate to the season in production and the ongoing series.

Based on feedback from the studio and the network that is the primary purchaser (unless the show is in syndication), the show runner must tailor the series to fit studio's and network's scheduling and market demands. The show runner has to fit the episodes into a season budget that will fluctuate based on which markets the show has been sold into (an even greater factor for syndicated series).

While he or she is hired by the studio or network, the show runner’s role is as the final arbiter on the creative and financial decisions for the show; it is the show runner's mandate to fit them within the parameters specified by his or her employer.

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