📺TV Management Unit 2 – History and Evolution of Television

Key Developments in Early Television

• First successful electronic television demonstration conducted by Philo Farnsworth in 1927 transmitted simple images using an all-electronic system
• Vladimir Zworykin invented the iconoscope in 1923, an early form of the television camera tube that converted images into electrical impulses
• BBC began the world's first regular television service in 1936 with broadcasts limited to the London area
• CBS and NBC established television stations in New York in the late 1930s, marking the beginning of network television in the United States
  • These early stations had limited programming and very few viewers due to the high cost of television sets
• Early television programming included live broadcasts of sports events (boxing matches), theatrical performances, and newscasts
• Television adoption increased rapidly in the United States after World War II as the economy boomed and television sets became more affordable
  • Number of television sets in American households grew from 6,000 in 1946 to over 12 million by 1951

Technological Breakthroughs

• Invention of the cathode ray tube (CRT) by Karl Ferdinand Braun in 1897 laid the foundation for electronic television
  • CRTs used electron beams to scan images onto a phosphorescent screen, enabling the display of moving images
• Development of the iconoscope camera tube by Vladimir Zworykin in 1923 allowed for the conversion of optical images into electrical signals
• Philo Farnsworth's image dissector camera tube, invented in 1927, improved upon Zworykin's design and became the basis for modern television cameras
• Advent of color television in the 1950s with the NTSC (National Television System Committee) color system in the United States
  • NTSC encoded color information separately from brightness, allowing color broadcasts to be compatible with existing black-and-white televisions
• Transition from analog to digital television transmission began in the late 1990s, offering improved picture and sound quality, as well as more efficient use of broadcast spectrum
• High-definition television (HDTV) standards emerged in the early 2000s, providing a wider aspect ratio and higher resolution than standard-definition television (SDTV)

The Golden Age of TV

• Period from the late 1940s to the early 1960s marked by rapid growth in television ownership and the establishment of television as a mass medium
• Rise of iconic television personalities such as Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, and Lucille Ball who hosted popular variety shows and sitcoms
• Emergence of the "Big Three" television networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) that dominated programming and advertising during this era
  • Networks developed distinctive brand identities and competed fiercely for viewers and advertising revenue
• Golden Age programming featured a mix of live broadcasts and filmed shows, including dramas (Playhouse 90), comedies (I Love Lucy), and game shows (The $64,000 Question)
• Advertising played a crucial role in shaping television content during the Golden Age, with sponsors often having direct control over programming
• Quiz show scandals of the late 1950s, involving rigged outcomes and contestant collusion, eroded public trust in television and led to increased regulation of the industry

Rise of Cable and Satellite

• Cable television emerged in the late 1940s as a means to improve reception in areas with poor over-the-air signals
  • Early cable systems used large antennas to capture broadcast signals and distribute them to subscribers via coaxial cables
• Satellite television became viable in the 1970s with the launch of geostationary satellites capable of transmitting television signals over wide areas
• HBO (Home Box Office) launched in 1972 as the first premium cable television network, offering uncut and commercial-free movies and sporting events to subscribers
• Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992 regulated cable rates and required cable operators to carry local broadcast stations (must-carry rules)
• Proliferation of cable and satellite channels in the 1980s and 1990s led to audience fragmentation and the decline of the Big Three networks' dominance
  • Niche channels catering to specific interests (CNN, MTV, ESPN) emerged, providing viewers with more programming options

Digital Revolution and HDTV

• Transition from analog to digital television transmission began in the late 1990s, driven by the need for more efficient use of broadcast spectrum
  • Digital transmission allows for the compression of video and audio data, enabling the broadcast of multiple channels in the same bandwidth as a single analog channel
• High-definition television (HDTV) standards, offering higher resolution and a wider aspect ratio than standard-definition television (SDTV), were developed in the early 2000s
  • HDTV provides a resolution of 720p, 1080i, or 1080p, compared to SDTV's 480i resolution
• FCC mandated the transition from analog to digital television broadcasting in the United States, with the switch-off of analog signals occurring on June 12, 2009
• Digital television enables the integration of television with other digital media, such as the Internet and mobile devices
  • Smart TVs, which combine television with internet connectivity and app support, have become increasingly popular since the early 2010s
• Advent of digital video recorders (DVRs) and on-demand services has shifted viewing habits, allowing audiences to watch programming at their convenience

Streaming and On-Demand Services

• Streaming services deliver television content over the internet, allowing users to watch programming on various devices (smart TVs, computers, smartphones)
• Netflix, which began as a DVD-by-mail rental service, launched its streaming platform in 2007 and has since become a major player in the television industry
  • Netflix has invested heavily in original content (House of Cards, Stranger Things) to attract and retain subscribers
• Other streaming platforms, such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, have emerged as competitors to traditional television networks and cable providers
• Streaming services have disrupted the traditional television model by offering ad-free, on-demand content and personalized viewing experiences
  • Binge-watching, the practice of consuming multiple episodes of a series in rapid succession, has become common with the rise of streaming
• Cord-cutting, the cancellation of cable or satellite television subscriptions in favor of streaming services, has accelerated in recent years
  • Streaming services often offer lower costs and more flexibility than traditional pay-TV packages

Impact on Society and Culture

• Television has served as a powerful medium for shaping public opinion and reflecting societal norms and values
  • News coverage of major events (moon landing, fall of the Berlin Wall) has united audiences and created shared cultural experiences
• Television advertising has had a significant influence on consumer behavior and popular culture
  • Iconic advertising campaigns (Coca-Cola's "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke") have become part of the cultural zeitgeist
• Representation of diverse groups on television has evolved, with increasing visibility for minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Shows like The Cosby Show, Ellen, and Modern Family have broken barriers and sparked conversations about social issues
• Television has been criticized for its potential negative effects, such as the promotion of violence, stereotypes, and consumerism
  • Concerns about the impact of television on children have led to the development of educational programming (Sesame Street) and parental guidelines
• Globalization of television has facilitated the spread of cultural ideas and values across borders
  • International formats (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?) and streaming services have made television content accessible worldwide

Future Trends in Television

• Continued growth of streaming services and on-demand content, with an emphasis on original programming and exclusive deals with content creators
• Increased personalization of television experiences through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms
  • Recommendation systems will become more sophisticated, suggesting content based on individual viewing habits and preferences
• Integration of television with other technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, to create immersive viewing experiences
  • Interactive storytelling and choose-your-own-adventure style narratives may become more prevalent
• Expansion of 5G networks and edge computing will enable the delivery of high-quality video content to mobile devices with minimal latency
• Consolidation of media companies and the formation of mega-mergers (Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox) to compete in the streaming market
• Emphasis on live events and experiences that cannot be easily replicated by streaming services, such as sports and awards shows
  • Networks may invest more in live programming to differentiate themselves from on-demand platforms
• Potential for the democratization of television production and distribution, with the rise of user-generated content and independent creators on platforms like YouTube and TikTok