Role of Television

HISTORY

• John Logie Baird created the first working television set in 1925.
• The first person to appear on television was a young office boy in the
same building where Baird worked. He was paid around 60 cents for his
appearance.
• The first televised tennis match was broadcast on July 12, 1928.
• The first play entitled “The Queen’s Messenger” was broadcast on
September 11, 1928.
• The first broadcast of TV pictures began in Germany in 1935.
• American TV broadcasting began in 1941.
• Color television was created during the 1960’s
• The longest running television show was “Gunsmoke,” which aired from
1955-1975.

Television in India

• In India, from the beginning i.e. 1989, television has been used more for
education and information purposes than for entertainment. It has
performed different functions as compared to the television in west.
• Even today, though commercials have entered Indian television in a big
way, it's basic purpose has not changed. It continues to perform it's
function of national integration and development.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, while inaugurating India's Television Service on
September 15, 1959, hoped that television would go a long way in
broadening the popular outlook in line with scientific thinking.

WHY IS TV SO LIKED

TV has authority
Today information is everywhere. But television has a particular
authority. If you see something on TV, you know that millions
of others are also seeing it, and that it has been verified,
produced and created by professionals. That’s why television
remains the most popular and trusted platform for news, culture,
sports and entertainment.
TV creates communities
Great television programmes create communities around them.
TV shows, live events and news make animated conversation
for friends, family and colleagues. They bind people together
and trigger reactions on social networks.
TV inspires the mind
Television is a fantastic educational tool. It broadens knowledge
of different cultures, promotes tolerance and global
understanding of international issues. Through current affairs,
discovery, lifestyle, cooking shows and children’s programmes,
television encourages scientific and cultural curiosity.
TV delivers quality
Thanks to the hard work of talented people on and off-screen,
building on decades of experience and on new ways of working
and communicating with audiences, the production quality of
television programming have never been better than it is today.
TV gives a voice to good causes
Thanks to its unrivalled reach and emotional power, television
enables effective calls for action during humanitarian crises,
natural disasters and social emergencies. It reaches out to
society through programmes and communication campaigns on
the environment, healthy eating, physical activity, responsible
sexual attitudes and responsible alcohol consumption, and many
others.
TV goes hand-in-hand with sport
Without television, professional sport would be unrecognisable.
Millions enjoy watching live sport every week from all parts of
the world in ever-higher picture quality, and enjoy the sense of
unity that sports coverage creates. Televised sport has other
benefits: it promotes sport’s values and ethics, and it inspires
people to follow healthy role models.
TV stimulates the economy
The global media sector of which television is a major part
employs millions of skilled workers across the world. In
addition, the success of commercial television as an advertising
medium generates revenue which can be reinvested in even
more great programming for viewers.
TV embraces the digital age
Consumers now have more opportunities to enjoy television
content than ever before. Viewers can watch on multiple screens
and interact within fan communities and social platforms. The
social television experience is completed with exclusive online
content, pre-release of sequences before linear-TV broadcast,
digital video interviews, making of videos, backstage photos and
many others.
TV reaches consumers & builds brands
Television ensures that consumers know about new products,
services, ideas and projects. It strengthens the position of
existing brands and reassures consumers about the choices they
make.
CHARACTERISTICS / CHARACTERS OF TV

AUDIO VISUAL   MEDIUM

While radio has sound, television content includes both sound and visuals. This audio
visual character of television makes it a magic medium which allows us to watch the
world from our drawing rooms. This powerful visual nature helps television to create
vivid impressions in our minds which in turn leads to emotional involvement. The
audio visual quality also makes television images more memorable.

DOMESTIC MEDIUM 
To watch television, we need not leave your drawing room. No need of going to the
movie theater or buying tickets. We can watch television in the comfort of our home
with our family. This is why television is generally regarded as a domestic medium. It
provides entertainment and information right inside our homes and has become an
integral part of our everyday lives. It can actually pattern our daily activities. Even our
family makes it a point to watch their favorite serial at a particular time and adjust
dinner timings accordingly. This domestic nature of television influences the content
also. We have noticed that a newspaper report has an impersonal tone, whereas the
television anchor addresses us directly.  The domestic nature of television makes it an
intimate medium. This makes the viewers experience a sense of closeness to the
Television.

LIVE MEDIUM.
The important characteristic of television is that it is capable of being a live medium.
This is because the live nature of television allows it to transmit visuals and
information almost instantly. The visuals of an earthquake in Indonesia can reach our
television set in almost no time. This capacity of the medium makes it ideal for
transmitting live visuals of news and sports events. If we are watching a cricket match
in a television channel, we can almost instantly see the wicket hit by our favourite
player. On the  Television allows you to witness events which happen thousands of
miles away.

MASS MEDIUM 
All of us know that there are a large number of people who cannot read or write.
Such people may not be able to read a newspaper, but they can watch television.
Anyone with a television receiver can access the information shown on television.
This makes it an ideal medium to transmit messages to a large audience. In a country
like ours, with a huge illiterate population, this characteristic of television
Makes it an ideal instrument for transmitting social messages. Television also has a
very wide output, range and reach. It is truly a mass medium.

A TRANSITORY MEDIUM.

Television programmes are not easy to be recorded by viewers. It may

be practically impossible to record every programme which appears on
your television. Therefore, television is generally identified as a
transitory medium.
EXPENSIVE MEDIUM
There is need to large amount of machinery and expertise needed to run a television
station. We can write articles and stories and draw our own pictures. All we need will
be paper, pen, drawing instruments and time. However, a television programme can
never be made this. However, a television programme can never be made this easily.
It requires lots of money, machinery and experienced people. Broadcast media in
general and television in particular involves complex technology and organization.
We will need crores of rupees to start a television station.

Role of knowledge dissemination

Amongst all the mass media today, television attracts the
largest number of viewers.
Its audience is greater in size than any of the other media
audiences.
This is because television is able to attract the audiences of
all age groups, literate and illiterate and of all the strata of the
society.
Television has been able to influence the people living in
remote areas of our country as its outreach has covered the
remotest villages and tribal pockets.
It is helping information explosion.

It is supposed to disseminate the message of development and

modernization to create awareness for generating public
participation.
It is expected to support government plans and
programmes for bringing about social and economic
change and to protect national security as well as advance
the cause of national integration.
At the time of introduction of television, the official
policy stressed that TV was to be used as a medium of
social education as well as an instrument to support
 programmes specifically it was stated that TV would be
used as a weapon against illiteracy and ignorance.
It would bring about awareness among the people of
sociological problems and make them conscious of national
goals.
It would play a vital role in cultivating civic
consciousness and respect for law and order, public morality and
so forth and, in the field of entertainment, it would mould public
taste to higher aesthetic levels.
Moreover, the programmes on health, nutrition,
environment protection, energy conservation, pollution, adult
education, consumer education, agriculture, animal husbandry,
family planning etc. are being telecast by Television.

Role of Social awakening

Television is considered as a mirror of a nation's personality.
It can recall the past, dwell upon the present and peep into
the future of a society.
This role of television is all the more relevant to a country
like India, having continental dimensions and innumerable
diversities.
It has the capability to reach simultaneously millions and
millions of our people.
Television is reinforces the messages on family planning,
importance of girl's education, marriage age, environment
protection, energy conservation etc. Thus, it serves persuasive
function.
The educative role of television cannot be denied.The UGC
Programmes are being shown in the national channel of the
television.
Thousands of students are being benefited through this
programme.
Now many purpose! Television programmes are made to fight
many social evils such as illiteracy, dowry problem, political
corruptions etc., as well as live election results, news, debate on
social problems, etc.
Very often television exercises bad influence upon the
youngsters.
Rape, murder and violence are adopted by those young people
because of the adverse impact of television.

Role of TV
• Television keeps you informed of current events and allows you to
understand the latest developments in science and technology, politics
and so on. 
• It provides possibilities for educating the people in several areas like
health, environment, etc.
• Creating awareness among people to bring about sustainable behavioral
change, thereby preventing HIV/AIDS and other dreadful diseases.
• cultivating the values of pluralism and cultural diversity in children.
• Bringing the world closer: global view, global culture.
• Television in Social Engineering (practice of making laws or using some
methods to influence public opinion and solve social problems or improve
social conditions)
• Television in cultural diffusion.
• Function of TV- educational as well as entertaining because people need
not only new knowledge to update themselves but also entertainment
elements to enjoy.
• Television keeps people informed about the government and its
programs, news and weather, disasters like floods, winds, etc.
• In the case of serious problems television informs people what to do-
safety measures.
Advantages of Television (TV)
Television is widely used for entertainment,
knowledge and for communication.
Anybody can watch television simply by sitting
at home.
News, movies, family shows, sports, Music as
well as other useful shows and channels can be seen on
TV.
Even kids can enjoy TV by watching Cartoons
Channels as well Some Channels such as Discovery
Channel to gain knowledge.
One can watch live news as well as live shows or live
sports easily with the help of television.
Television plays an important role in educating people
about corruption going on in the social and political world.
Television is now a days one of the widely used
communication media. Useful information can be reached
to millions of people directly by TV.
Television helps to upgrade knowledge and it also
aware us about the latest trends going on in the world.
People can learn more and more about the world by
watching Television.
Various channels are available in different languages
so you can see the channel or shows of your choice in your
regional language.
In free time watching TV is good which may freshen your
mood by watching show you like the most.
You can learn several languages and lots of other useful
things by watching television.
Keeps us updated and time pass in hard time.
Good and effective way of advertising product or
information.

Disadvantages of Television (TV)

As there are thousands of shows or movies shown on TV
24/7 , Hence some people waste more time everyday while
watching TV.
If people spend much more time on watching TV then they
may become lazy.
Sometimes students do not pay attention to their studies
while watching TV , which
affects the education of the students.
Some children sit very close to the TV which is not good
for the Eye-sight of the children.
More use of television may also increase electricity bill.
Children sometimes watch scary movies which affects
their mental condition.
Sometime distraction from work by watching TV.
Television has effects on society’s behavior and beliefs by publicizing
stereotypes,  especially with race. According to research done in 2015 by Dixon on
misrepresentation of race in local news, Blacks, in particular, were accurately depicted as
perpetrators, victims, and officers. However, although Latinos were accurately depicted
as perpetrators, they continued to be underrepresented as victims and officers.
Conversely, Whites remained significantly overrepresented as victims and officers

the power of tv can harm the general population. Biased media tend to
make people strive to be someone else’s idea of perfect while subconsciously
ignoring their own goals. Stereotypes formed by the media that include thin,
tanned women, and wealthy, muscular men have led to a decline in self-
acceptance. The majority of media today often present the perfect body to the
public, hoping that consumers will strive to achieve fitness using a certain
product or idea. While this form of advertising may somewhat increase a
product’s market share, many people suffer from inner conflicts as a result of
failure to achieve the body of a top athlete or fashion model.

Along with emotional conflicts, those influenced by the tv have encountered

physical problems, including bulimia, anorexia, and the employment of
harmful dietary plans. Unless reality is discerned from what is presented in
certain media, some people will continue to suffer.

Promotes aggressive behaviour

Television is primarily a medium for entertainment and information.

However, your kids may not be able to discriminate between the good
and the bad content. As a result, they watch whatever catches their
attention. Sometimes they might also develop a tendency to ape it.
So, when the kids are exposed to violent acts even in something as
simple as cartoons, they may carry those actions forward without
realising the kind of consequences it can lead to. An aggressive
behavioural pattern can account for one of the major reasons
television is bad for you and your child.

Can hamper the language

When your child’s mind is away from social interactions they are
more inclined towards gawking at the TV. Then they often pick up the
language spoken in their and enact the same way. They may not
completely understand the meaning of the words but would still use
them. In such scenarios, it can get embarrassing for both you and the
child if he or she blurts out inappropriate words. To avoid such
mishaps, it’s better to be vigilant.

TV commercials can influence their demands

The negative effects of television on children are not just limited to

the kinds of shows they watch. Children also get impacted by the
advertisements they get to watch. Commercials can have a strong
influence on your child’s mind. The attractive design or a captivating
story-line can easily toy with their thoughts and make them drawn
towards the product. They may lack the knowledge of the impact of
those products and get into a rebellious mode of demanding the
same. Apart from this, certain commercials may also contain specific
content meant for adults. This could also cause them to think or act
in a manner not fitting for their age bracket. While the idea of
monitoring or gauging the commercials your child watches seems
difficult, an attempt must be made to steer them away from it.

Can dumb down their imaginative skills

At schooling age, when children are wrapped around their books, it is

important to introduce them to various other activities. Things like
reading, music, art, sports, etc help them not only from the
perspective of a hobby but develop their soft skills, coordination
techniques and imagination power. At such a crucial phase of their
growth if they spend most of their hours whiling away in front of the
television they could become obese as well as have a slump in their
imagination skills. Lack of imagination can make your child dull

Exposure to inappropriate content

The kind of content that floats on television is not restricted to one

kind. children could be exposed to content that may include
unsuitable activities like consumption of drugs, alcohol, smoking and
sexual interactions as cool, fun, and exciting. .When left without
supervision, such display of acts could propel them to try these
things. The reason why television is bad for you and your child is that
they can get tempted by such activities and try those stunts too.

IMPACT ON CHILDREN (POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE)

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/impact-of-television-t-v-on-
children-know-about-positive-and-negative-effects/

https://www.momjunction.com/articles/good-bad-effects-
television-children_0074078/
Impact of digital age
The latest trends also show that — slowly but firmly — TV is merging with
social media. I’m not talking about Facebook pages for TV channels,
comments on a live shows, etc. Nowadays social channels partner with major
media industry incumbents to host video content on their own platforms. We
see more and more news streams on Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms.
Facebook even invests and pays for creating unique live video content. At the
same time, Google is launching its own streaming bundle of channels under
the YouTube umbrella.

Such blurred boundaries are not isolated to social media. While the traditional
media industry still seems to be robust, disruption created by new online
digital video services is huge. Cable networks, telecom operators, traditional
content producers, etc., — all of them are trying to rethink their current
business models and solution offerings to capitalize on modern technology
and win/retain a large user base.

There is no need to stick to broadcaster scheduling anymore. Even many

traditional broadcasters and content providers are now distributing their
content through OTT Software video platforms. Of course, each company
differs in its approach to mitigating the current market situation: some offer
smaller channel bundles delivered via their own online streaming services,
others try to integrate content production with distribution, and so on.

Another trend that has significant impact on the media industry is mobile.
According to comScore, 2016, digital media usage time driven by mobile apps
has exploded – growing 111% since 2013. Last year, mobile video viewing
surpassed desktop for the first time. This already has resulted in a growing
amount of content tailored specifically for mobile devices, as well as a gradual
incline towards short-form videos. 

The final important element is content. It was and will remain a key part of the
media industry. TV services that provide as much original content as possible
will succeed (although this does not always imply producing their own
movies). For example, about 85% of the programming that people watch on
Netflix is not made by Netflix.