World Television Day
World Television Day is observed every year on November 21, which commemorates the date of first World Television Forum held in 1996.
This day reminds us of the important role television plays in our lives serving as a strong medium for education, entertainment, and communication.
It serves as a window into different cultures, offering viewers a glimpse of life beyond their immediate surroundings.
Whether through documentaries that educate us about the environment or dramas that explore the complexities of human relationships, television plays an essential role in shaping our understanding of the world.
Origin of World Television Day
The concept of World Television Day was established by the United Stations General Assembly in December 1996.
During the first World Television Forum, popular media figures came together to discuss television's growing influence on global issues.
The UN acknowledged television as a vital tool for informing the public, highlighting important social and political matters and shaping opinions. This is now November 21 was created as a day to cherish this influential medium, highlighting its importance and making it more than just entertainment.
History of Television
The form of mass media, television brought around a revolutionary change in communication by delivering moving images and sound to audiences across the globe electronically.
The root of television goes back to the early 20th century when it was originally developed as a medium for communication and education.
Television eventually evolved into a cutting-edge broadcast medium, using radio waves to disseminate entertainment and news around the globe.
Presently,television is delivered through different methods, including cable, internet streaming, satellite, traditional broadcast as well as physical media like Blu-ray discs and DVDs.
The physical foundations of modern television, embracing both color and monochrome systems, and it was established in the mid-20th century,
Improvements in picture resolution have led to significant improvements in digital broadcasting allowing for interactive services and multiple program transmissions.
One cannot fully appreciate the evolution of technology without understanding its history starting with monochrome systems and then its progression to color technology.
The practice of visualizing distant events has its origin in ancient times with early attempts to view the world through different means.
A monumental moment in the development of televisions occurred in 1872 when telegraph worker Joseph May found that selenium wire changed conductivity upon exposure to light.
This discovery served the groundwork for the conversion of light into electric signals and in 1880, French engineer Maurice LeBlanc proposed a scanning mechanism for the transmission of images visualizing a photoelectric cell that would capture images line by line sequentially.
Although LeBlanc could not create a working device, future inventors got influenced by his ideas.
A German engineer, Paul Nipkow, patented the scanning disk in 1884 and this became integral to early television systems.
Charles Francis Jenkins further and John Logie Baird further developed these concepts, with Baird being successful in the transmission of live images in 1925, marking a significant milestone in the history of television.
Despite early skepticism, the 1920s saw rapid growth in interest in television, marked by public demonstrations and broadcasts.
General Electric started regular broadcasts by 1928 and Jenkins began selling television kits. However, there came many challenges like limited programming and poor image quality which led to a temporary decline in interest.
Meanwhile, advancements in electronic systems started emerging which addressed issues associated to mechanical scanning.
Engineers such as Vladimir Zworykin and A.A. Campbell Swinton experimented using cathode rays to produce better quality images.
By the late 1920s, Philo Farnsworth demonstrated a primitive electronic television system, paving the way for the commercialization of television technology.
Zworykin's Kinescope and Farnsworth's innovations laid the groundwork for the successful development of electronic television, ultimately transforming it into the mass media powerhouse it is today.
Celebrating World Television Day
World Television Day gives us a chance to embrace the impact of television in our society and in our lives.
You can celebrate this day by hosting a TV show or movie marathon featuring classics or your shows that have played a great role in shaping the medium, encouraging discussions about their cultural significance.
You can also throw a party where you make dishes that represent a favorite show or character.
Engage with friends or family by sharing memorable moments from impactful television shows.
You can also explore documentaries and educational programs that highlight important global issues.
Finally, participate in social media campaigns by sharing your favorite shows or moments with relevant hashtags to spark conversations about how television shapes our perspectives and connections.
