📺TV Studies Unit 2 – Television's Rise: From Invention to Mass Medium

Early Television Technology

• Television technology built upon earlier inventions like the telegraph, telephone, and radio which enabled long-distance communication and broadcasting
• Mechanical television systems (late 1800s to early 1900s) used rotating disks with holes to scan images and convert them into electrical signals
• Electronic television systems (1920s onwards) utilized cathode ray tubes (CRTs) to display images by scanning electron beams across phosphorescent screens
  • CRTs enabled higher resolution, faster scanning, and better image quality compared to mechanical systems
• Key components of early television systems included cameras, transmitters, receivers, and display devices (CRT screens)
• Early television cameras used a combination of optical lenses and electronic sensors to capture images and convert them into electrical signals
• Television transmitters broadcast video and audio signals over the air using radio waves, similar to radio broadcasting but with a wider frequency range
• Receivers (TV sets) picked up the broadcast signals through antennas and processed them to display the video on CRT screens and play the audio through speakers

Pioneers and Key Inventors

• John Logie Baird (Scottish) demonstrated the first working mechanical television system in 1926, which could transmit moving silhouette images
• Charles Francis Jenkins (American) developed a mechanical television system and broadcast the first television advertisements in 1925
• Philo T. Farnsworth (American) invented the first fully electronic television system in 1927, using an image dissector camera tube and CRT display
  • Farnsworth's system laid the foundation for modern television technology
• Vladimir Zworykin (Russian-American) developed the iconoscope camera tube and kinescope display tube in the early 1930s, which became the basis for RCA's electronic television system
• Allen B. DuMont (American) founded DuMont Laboratories and made significant contributions to CRT technology, television receivers, and broadcasting equipment
• David Sarnoff (American) led RCA's efforts in television development and commercialization, establishing NBC as a major television network
• Kenjiro Takayanagi (Japanese) developed the first electronic television system in Japan in 1926 and continued to make advancements in television technology

First Broadcasts and Programming

• The BBC began the world's first regular television service in 1936, broadcasting from Alexandra Palace in London
  • Initial programming included live entertainment, news, and sports coverage
• NBC (National Broadcasting Company) launched regular television programming in the United States in 1939, with a broadcast from the World's Fair in New York
• Early television programming consisted primarily of live broadcasts due to the lack of recording technology
  • Common formats included news, sports, variety shows, dramas, and adaptations of stage plays
• Experimental television stations in the 1920s and 1930s broadcast short films, live performances, and demonstrations to test the technology and gauge audience interest
• The 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin were the first Olympic Games to be televised, with live coverage reaching viewers in Germany and the United Kingdom
• The coronation of King George VI in 1937 was a significant milestone in television history, attracting a large viewership and demonstrating the medium's potential for covering live events
• During World War II, television broadcasting was suspended in many countries, with resources redirected towards the war effort

Post-War TV Boom

• After World War II, the television industry experienced rapid growth and expansion in the United States and other developed countries
• Advances in technology, such as improved cameras, transmission systems, and larger CRT screens, made television more accessible and attractive to consumers
• The number of television stations and networks increased dramatically, with the establishment of CBS, ABC, and DuMont as major competitors to NBC
  • By the mid-1950s, there were over 500 television stations in the United States
• Television ownership skyrocketed in the post-war period, with the percentage of American households owning a TV set rising from 9% in 1950 to 87% in 1960
• The introduction of the coaxial cable in the late 1940s enabled the creation of national television networks, allowing for the simultaneous broadcast of programs across the country
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated broadcast frequencies for television and established regulations for the industry, fostering competition and growth
• Television advertising emerged as a lucrative revenue source for networks and stations, with sponsors producing their own programs (soap operas) to reach audiences
• Popular programming during the post-war era included sitcoms (I Love Lucy), variety shows (The Ed Sullivan Show), game shows (What's My Line?), and news broadcasts

Cultural Impact and Social Changes

• Television quickly became a dominant mass medium, reshaping entertainment, news consumption, and social interactions
• The shared experience of watching popular television programs contributed to the development of a national culture and identity
  • TV shows and characters became common topics of conversation and cultural references
• Television news and documentaries brought world events and issues into people's homes, increasing public awareness and engagement
  • Coverage of the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War had significant impact on public opinion and political discourse
• TV advertising influenced consumer behavior and popular culture, with jingles, slogans, and mascots becoming part of the cultural landscape
• The portrayal of family life, gender roles, and social norms on television both reflected and shaped societal values and expectations
  • Shows like Leave It to Beaver and Father Knows Best presented idealized versions of the American family
• Television's ability to reach mass audiences made it a powerful tool for political campaigns and public relations
  • The 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debates highlighted the importance of television in political communication
• Critics raised concerns about the potential negative effects of television on children, including exposure to violence, commercialism, and stereotypes
• The rise of television led to changes in leisure activities and social interactions, with families and friends gathering around the TV set for shared viewing experiences

Evolution of TV Content

• As television technology advanced and audiences grew, the content and formats of TV programs evolved to meet changing tastes and expectations
• The 1950s saw the rise of the sitcom genre, with shows like I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners setting the standard for family-friendly comedy
  • Sitcoms often tackled social issues and cultural trends through the lens of humor and relatable characters
• Variety shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Milton Berle Show, showcased a mix of comedy, music, and celebrity appearances, appealing to a wide range of viewers
• Television dramas evolved from live productions to filmed series, allowing for more complex storylines and higher production values
  • Anthology series like The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents featured self-contained stories with twist endings
• News and documentary programming expanded, with the launch of 60 Minutes in 1968 and the increasing importance of television journalism in shaping public opinion
• The 1970s saw the emergence of socially conscious programming, such as All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which addressed controversial topics and challenged traditional gender roles
• Miniseries and made-for-TV movies became popular formats, allowing for longer, more in-depth storytelling (Roots, The Day After)
• The rise of cable television in the 1980s and 1990s led to the proliferation of niche channels and targeted programming, catering to specific interests and demographics
  • MTV (music videos), CNN (24-hour news), and HBO (premium content) exemplified this trend

Business Models and Industry Growth

• Advertising quickly became the primary source of revenue for television networks and stations, with sponsors paying for airtime to reach audiences
  • The cost of a 30-second commercial during popular programs skyrocketed as television's reach and influence grew
• Networks developed the practice of selling advertising time upfront, based on the projected popularity of their upcoming programming lineup (the upfronts)
• The syndication model allowed for the sale of successful network programs to local stations for re-runs, generating additional revenue and expanding a show's reach
• The rise of cable television in the 1970s and 1980s introduced a subscription-based model, with viewers paying monthly fees for access to a wider range of channels and content
  • Cable networks like HBO and Showtime offered commercial-free programming, funded by subscriber fees
• The television industry's growth led to increased consolidation, with major media conglomerates acquiring networks, studios, and production companies
  • Mergers and acquisitions, such as the Disney-ABC and Viacom-CBS deals, reshaped the industry landscape
• Technological advancements, such as satellite distribution and digital broadcasting, opened up new opportunities for content delivery and revenue generation
• Product placement and brand integration became increasingly common, with companies paying to have their products featured within TV shows and movies
• The global market for television content expanded, with international sales and co-productions becoming a significant source of revenue for studios and networks

Global Spread and Localization

• As television technology became more accessible and affordable, the medium spread rapidly across the world, adapting to local cultures and languages
• The United States and the United Kingdom were early leaders in television exports, with their programs and formats being adapted for international markets
  • Shows like Baywatch and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? became global phenomena
• The rise of satellite technology in the 1960s and 1970s enabled the transmission of television signals across borders, facilitating the growth of international broadcasting
• Local television industries developed in many countries, producing content tailored to their own cultural, linguistic, and social contexts
  • Bollywood (India) and Nollywood (Nigeria) emerged as major centers of television production, catering to large domestic and regional audiences
• International co-productions became increasingly common, allowing for the sharing of resources, talent, and financial risks across countries
  • The miniseries Shogun (1980), a collaboration between American and Japanese studios, exemplified this trend
• The localization of television content involved the dubbing or subtitling of foreign programs, as well as the adaptation of successful formats for local audiences
  • Reality shows like Big Brother and talent competitions like The Voice were adapted in numerous countries
• The globalization of television led to the emergence of international media conglomerates, such as News Corporation and Sony, with interests in multiple markets and platforms
• The rise of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in the 2010s further accelerated the globalization of television, with original content being produced and distributed worldwide