Invented in 1929, television was first introduced to
the public at a World's Fair in 1939.
At first, television received mixed reviews because
there was little to watch and picture quality was poor.
The first television station license was issued by the
Federal Communications Commission on July 1, 1941.
The first licenses issued were for commercial stations.
Thus, television began in the United States as a vehicle
for selling goods and services while providing entertainment.
Only 20 years later, in the early 1960s, the first educational
stations (later Public Broadcasting) began offering programs
with the aim to educate and enrich people's lives.
WWII delayed the formation of television broadcasting
till the late 1940s.
From the late 1940s to the mid-1950s three main broadcasting
networks emerged: CBS, NBC, and ABC.
Today, most viewers (with cable or satellite) have access
to an average of 202.6 available channels (Television
Bureau of Advertising, 2001).
In 1950, only 9% of U.S. households owned a television
(Television Bureau of Advertising, 2001).
By 1955, within five years, 64.5% of U.S. households
owned a TV (Television Bureau of Advertising, 2001).
By 1965 at least one TV was in 92.6% of U.S. households,
and presently TVs, at 98.2% (99.9% of those are color),
are in virtually every household (Television Bureau of
Advertising, 2001).
Signals can be received virtually everywhere--either
over the airwaves, by cable, or by satellite.
In 1970, about 7% of homes had cable television (Donnerstein,
1994).
When HBO started sending signals via satellite in 1975,
cable TV started to realize its capability and by 1990
it reached 56.4% of U.S. households. Currently wired cable
television has reached 69.4% of television households
(Television Bureau of Advertising, 2001).
78% of adults surveyed report that they have home cable
or satellite television (National Public Radio, 2000).
In 1970, VCR's were hardly seen in homes. Now VCRs are
a media staple in over 90% of American households (Lyman,
2002). Though, DVD players, with digital capability, are
fast becoming the norm.
On the horizon is Digital TV. With Internet and television
convergence, the stage is set for interactive television.
Sources
Donnerstein, E., Slaby, R.G., and Eron, L.D. "The
mass media and youth aggression," Reason to Hope:
A Psychosocial Perspective On Violence and Youth,
Leonard D. Eron, et al., editors. American Psychological
Association, 1994.
Lyman, Rick (2002, August 26). Revolt in the den: DVD
has VCR headed for the attic. The New York Times,
pA1.
