DTV

Arts & Entertainment abbreviation · Film, Television and Theater

DTV
Stands forDirect-to-video
CategoriesArts & Entertainment

DTV stands for Direct-to-video, a film, television and theater abbreviation.

Film released straight to home video, television or streaming without a theatrical release. Historically a sign of a lower budget, it is now common for family sequels and genre films.

Example: The animated sequel went DTV and sold millions of copies on VHS.

Usage notes

Disney's The Return of Jafar (1994) launched a wave of direct-to-video sequels. Also called "straight-to-video" or "straight-to-DVD". In broadcasting, DTV also means digital television.

More film, television and theater abbreviations

  • CU – Close-up
  • DCEU – DC Extended Universe
  • DCU – DC Universe
  • DIT – Digital imaging technician
  • DP – Director of photography
  • DS – Downstage
  • EGOT – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony
  • EP – Executive producer
  • EXT. – Exterior
  • FAST – Free ad-supported streaming television
  • FPS – Frames per second
  • G – General Audiences

See all 63 film, television and theater abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.