Impact of Television

Experimental   television began in the 1930’s, since then different mediums have been added including: commercials, game shows, talk shows, news and scripted programming.
A. At the beginning the were only forty TV sets
B. 1939 the first thing aired on television was the   New York Worlds Fair
C. July 1,1941 the FCC debuts WNBC & WCBW and the 1st commercial advertised television
D. Initially people wer scared of unknown effects but thought it’s not any different from radio
Television is blamed for everything from obesity to the murder rate. As easy as it is to critcise television has benefitted society in many ways.
A. 98.5% of household today have a television set
B. Reasons we watch TV
a. We like to be entertained.   See the experiences of other people and drawn into a world we will probably never be able to experience first hand
b. True reality – People could now see the news as it was happening and put a face to the headlines. (civil right seen in the 60’s , Vietnam)
c. Children can see and learn of foregin cultures, animals, plants (not just read but see) they know more before they start school then having to learn it all from a book.
C. Common complaints of television
a. Debases the arts and audience tastes
Undermines moral standards
Encourages escapism
Engages in economic exploitation
Exhibits a liberal bias
Sets up false images of reality|
Distorts reality through omission
How society influences television. commercial television is a moneymaking business - it makes money by getting viewers to spend money on advertised products.
A. The more people who watch the commercials, as a result, more products will be sold.
a. They make TV programs so people will watch commercials
B. Advertising is designed to generate a need to buy certain brand-name products, which may be more expensive than lesser-known brands, while not being significantly better. The saying “Nice but not necessary”
C. The target age group and econmy affect how the network... [continues]

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