Video sources in Harvard referencing follow the same author-date logic as any other source — but the "author" might be a YouTube channel, a director, a speaker, or a production company. The reference list entry identifies the creator, the year, the title (in italics), the format, and where it can be accessed. You cite a specific moment by including a timestamp instead of a page number.
YouTube Video
YouTube is the most commonly referenced video source in academic work. The author is the channel name — not the individual who appears on screen (unless they are the same).
Reference list:
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell (2022) The egg — a short story [Video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6fcK_fRYaI (Accessed: 18 January 2025).
In-text citations:
Parenthetical:(Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, 2022)
Narrative:Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell (2022) illustrates the concept through animation…
If the channel name is long, you can introduce an abbreviation on first mention:
First citation:(Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell [Kurzgesagt], 2022)
Subsequent citations:(Kurzgesagt, 2022)
When the Individual and Channel Are the Same
If a named person uploads under their own name, use their name in standard surname-first format:
Müller, H. (2023) Understanding neuroplasticity [Video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example123 (Accessed: 5 March 2025).
(Müller, 2023)
Film / Movie
For films, the director is the standard author. Include the production company as the publisher.
Reference list:
Nolan, C. (dir.) (2010) Inception [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.
In-text citations:
Parenthetical:(Nolan, 2010)
Narrative:Nolan (2010) uses layered dream sequences to explore…
Film Accessed via Streaming
If you watched the film on a streaming platform rather than in a cinema or on physical media, add the platform:
Gerwig, G. (dir.) (2019) Little women [Film]. Sony Pictures. Available at: https://www.netflix.com (Accessed: 12 February 2025).
Film With Multiple Directors
Wachowski, L. and Wachowski, L. (dirs.) (1999) The Matrix [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.
Use the standard multiple authors rules for two or more directors.
TED Talk
TED Talks are a hybrid — they can be referenced from the TED website or from YouTube. Match the reference to where you actually watched it.
From the TED Website
When the speaker is named on the TED website, use the speaker as the author:
Adichie, C.N. (2009) The danger of a single story [Video]. TED Conferences. Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story (Accessed: 28 March 2025).
In-text citations:
(Adichie, 2009)
Adichie (2009) argues that single narratives reduce complex cultures to stereotypes…
From YouTube (TED Channel)
If you watched the TED Talk on YouTube, the author is the TED channel:
TED (2009) The danger of a single story | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie [Video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg (Accessed: 28 March 2025).
(TED, 2009)
Use whichever version matches the URL you're citing. Don't mix — if your URL points to ted.com, use the TED website format.
TV Programme / Episode
For TV shows, the key elements are the episode title (in single quotation marks), the series name (in italics), and the broadcast or streaming details.
Single Episode
'Hush' (2019) Buffy the Vampire Slayer, series 4, episode 10. BBC Two, 14 November.
In-text:
('Hush', 2019)
Episode With a Named Writer or Director
If you need to credit an individual:
Whedon, J. (1999) 'Hush', Buffy the Vampire Slayer, series 4, episode 10. Directed by Joss Whedon. WB Television Network, 14 December.
(Whedon, 1999)
Episode Accessed via Streaming
'Nosedive' (2016) Black Mirror, series 3, episode 1. Directed by Joe Wright. Available at: https://www.netflix.com (Accessed: 3 April 2025).
('Nosedive', 2016)
Streaming Content (Netflix, iPlayer, etc.)
Content accessed on streaming platforms follows the same format as films or TV shows — just add the platform and access information:
Wilkinson, E. (dir.) (2023) The deepest breath [Documentary]. Netflix. Available at: https://www.netflix.com (Accessed: 20 May 2025).
(Wilkinson, 2023)
For a series rather than a single film:
'The queen's gambit' (2020) The Queen's Gambit, limited series, episode 1. Directed by Scott Frank. Netflix. Available at: https://www.netflix.com (Accessed: 10 June 2025).
Podcast Episode
Podcasts sit between audio and video — some are video podcasts, others are audio only. The format is the same either way:
Reference list:
Gladwell, M. (2021) 'The basement tapes', Revisionist History [Podcast]. 15 June. Available at: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/revisionist-history/the-basement-tapes (Accessed: 22 January 2025).
In-text citations:
(Gladwell, 2021)
Gladwell (2021) examines the tension between talent and recognition…
Podcast With Multiple Hosts
Harris, S. and Huberman, A. (2023) 'The science of focus', Making Sense [Podcast]. 3 October. Available at: https://www.samharris.org/podcasts/making-sense-episodes/the-science-of-focus (Accessed: 14 February 2025).
(Harris and Huberman, 2023)
Documentary
Documentaries can be treated as films (if they are standalone features) or as TV episodes (if they are part of a series).
Standalone Documentary
Attenborough, D. (presenter) (2020) A life on our planet [Documentary]. Silverback Films. Available at: https://www.netflix.com (Accessed: 10 January 2025).
(Attenborough, 2020)
Documentary Series Episode
'Our planet' (2019) Our Planet, series 1, episode 1. Narrated by David Attenborough. Netflix. Available at: https://www.netflix.com (Accessed: 15 March 2025).
('Our planet', 2019)
Citing a Specific Timestamp
When you refer to a specific moment in a video, use a timestamp instead of a page number:
Parenthetical:(Adichie, 2009, 7:15)
Narrative:At 7:15, Adichie (2009) explains that…
Use the format mm:ss for videos under an hour and hh:mm:ss for longer content:
(Attenborough, 2020, 1:23:45)
Timestamps help your reader (or marker) find the exact moment you're referencing — include them whenever you discuss a specific claim, scene, or statement.
Summary: Video Reference Formats at a Glance
| Source Type | Reference List Format |
|---|---|
| YouTube video | Channel Name (Year) Title [Video]. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date). |
| Film | Director (dir.) (Year) Title [Film]. Studio. |
| Film (streaming) | Director (dir.) (Year) Title [Film]. Studio. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date). |
| TED Talk (ted.com) | Speaker (Year) Title [Video]. TED Conferences. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date). |
| TED Talk (YouTube) | TED (Year) Title [Video]. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date). |
| TV episode | 'Episode Title' (Year) Series Name, series X, episode Y. Broadcaster, Day Month. |
| Podcast | Host (Year) 'Episode title', Podcast Name [Podcast]. Day Month. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date). |
| Documentary | Director/Presenter (Year) Title [Documentary]. Studio. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date). |
What's Next?
Now that you know how to reference video sources, explore these related guides:
- How to Reference Social Media in Harvard Style — formats for tweets, Instagram posts, TikTok videos, and more
- How to Reference a Website in Harvard Style — rules for web pages, blogs, and online articles
- Harvard Reference List — the complete guide to formatting your reference list
