The Television

The television was presented at the 1939 World’s Fair but did not become fully realized until after World War II and according to this article called “The Technology of Television” it goes on to say that:  “The early conceptions of television were that it would be a way for someone to see the person they were talking to on the phone” (2003); another reason inventors looked at inventing the television was so that people could watch what they were hearing.  After World War II the television became popular and the growth of televisions per household grew exponentially from: “6,000 in 1946 to some 12 million by 1951” (Stevens).

Television continues to grow and it is still a common outlet for media technology.  However, it is becoming increasingly harder and harder to reach audiences; television has had to segment for marketing purposes according to this statement: “Because it has become more difficult to reach a large audience with just one commercial, successful television commercials target well-defined segments of consumers” (Marsh, 2009, pg. 145).  Research has lent a hand in understanding that commercials need to stay focused and on strategy to accomplish reaching their intended audience.  Even though there are hurdles facing the television viewership according to Dr. Colin in his article titled “Why Television Was Invented” by stating that: “an ‘exit poll’ of 200 acquaintances confirms no-one under 30 years of age watches television, and none of primary school age can identify or name the call signs of their regional channels  ... or can explain even what that means” (2013).

As traditional and modern  media technologies have morphed their way through time technology is still being researched and learned from and according to this article “Digitally Networked, 1990’s Through Today” it tells us that: “The visions for television remain as grand today as they were in the beginning. Pundits still say the frontier remains limitless and predict that the marriage of digital technologies, broadband networks, and television will finally allow television to reach its greatest potential of being an interactive medium” (2005).

The plans for television have not faltered over time and even though the television has had its share of downfalls and hurdles to overcome, there is also the silver lining that says the best days of television are still in front of this traditional media technology.

References:

Colin, Dr. (2013).  Why Television Was Invented.  Retrieved from http://sheepoverboard.com/artifice/speckulations/why-television-was-invented/

Marsh, C., Guth, D.M. & Short, P. (2009). Strategic writing, multimedia writing for public relations, advertising and more. Boston: Pearson. ISBN: 9780205591626

Stevens, M.  History of Television. Grolier Encyclopedia.  Retrieved from http://www.nyu.edu/classes/stephens/History%20of%20Television%20page.htm

Technology of Television. (2005). Retrieved from http://transition.fcc.gov/omd/history/tv/documents/76years_tv.pdf