Networks can be defined as the original linear network or streaming service that first and originally aired an episode of a series, in the series' country of origin.

ONLY ONE NETWORK SHOULD BE ADDED TO ANY EPISODE AT ANY TIME: THE ORIGINAL NETWORK.

A network may be added to a movie record, if that movie was originally released on a TV network/channel or streaming service.

Co-Productions

In the event that two or more networks are associated with the production of the same series — i.e. Chernobyl (HBO & Sky 1); His Dark Materials (HBO & BBC One) — the rule will be that we will list the network with the first air date to be the network of record, or Original Network. So, in the His Dark Materials example, the UK (BBC One) has a premiere date of Nov. 3, and the US (HBO) has an air date of Nov. 4. So, BBC One would be the Original Network.

Beyond the initial season, the Original Network will be used for the air-dates of any subsequent season, regardless of which production partner airs those seasons first.

Network Rebrands and Renames

• If a channel is renamed without a shift in programming focus then the name will be updated and the current name will be used for all series that aired on that channel.
• If a name change occurs and the overall programming shifts to a new focus then a new network will be created.
  All programming from the old name stays the same.
  New programming gets the new network.
  If a series carries over only episodes that air under the new network name are flagged as such

The best example of this is the network currently known as Paramount

• It initially launched as TNN (The Nashville Network) was briefly rebranded as TNN (The National Network) and while Country Music videos sort of faded out the remainder of the programming stayed the same. So the only record we retain is TNN (The National Network).
• Next, TNN became Spike TV beyond the rebrand there was a dramatic change in programming and tone. Only WWE wrestling survived the change-over if I remember correctly. So a new network record exists.
• Spike TV --> Spike was simply a renaming. Consequently, our record gets renamed
• Spike --> Paramount was once again a relaunch with a shift in programming focus. So again a new network. In this instance, for example, Lip Sync Battle survived the relaunch so its records reflect seasons 1-3 on Spike and 4 & 5 on Paramount