Cities are not just inert landscapes or lifeless settings; they play active and significant roles in shaping numerous television narratives. Whether in series or soap operas, urban environments play a fundamental role not only as the backdrop where plots unfold but also in shaping the developments of storylines, their creations, guidelines, and contexts. While, on the one hand, cities and their urban cultures contribute to the composition of various small screen plots, on the other hand, television programs can also help shape a certain idealized imagination about these urban spaces, generating unrealistic expectations and perpetuating a series of stereotypes about the represented cities.
Television plays a crucial role in shaping collective imaginaries about cities and their urban cultures. Through various programs, viewers are transported into the vibrant daily life of global metropolises or the quiet streets of provincial towns, experiencing narratives that shape public perceptions and readings. Television representation incorporates cultural, social, geographical, and historical elements that contribute to creating a specific urban image. This image can be crafted through various lenses, from critical perspectives to idealizations and romanticizations.
