Serial (radio and television)
In television and radio programming, a serial has a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode-by-episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from traditional episodic television that relies on more stand-alone episodes. Worldwide, the soap opera is the most prominent form of serial dramatic programming.
Hum Award for Best Drama Serial
The Hum Awards for Best Drama Serial and Best Director Drama Serial have been very closely linked throughout their inception. Of the 22 drama serials that have been nominated for Best Drama Serial, 21 have also nominated for Best Director Drama Serial. Only "Zindagi Gulzar Hai" won both Best Director and Best Drama award, at 2nd Hum Awards in 2014. Only "Shehr-e-Zaat" and "Bunty I Love You" won the Best Drama Serials awards for their producers without winning Directing awards. Presently only four drama serials have nominated for Best Director without their producers being nominated: "Sanjha", "Durr-e-Shahwar", "Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu" and "Bilqees Kaur", while "Sanjha" is the only serial who won Best Director award without being nominated as Best Drama Serial. Drama Serial "Mausam" and "Ahista Ahista" are the only serials that alternatively received Best Drama and Best Director nominations respectively.