What TV shows did you watch as a kid?

The content examines how television has evolved over the past seventy-five years. It also explores its interaction with technological advances, especially since India’s independence. This piece offers insight into the growth and significance of television in India. It highlights the milestone events like Neil Armstrong’s moon landing in 1969 and India’s lunar success with the Vikram lander. The history of television begins with John Logie Baird. It continued with its introduction in India during the late 1950s. Television gradually gained popularity through notable shows like “Hum Log” and “Ramayan.” The era of cable and satellite TV transformed content delivery. Significant advancements in screen technology led to the rise of Smart TVs. These advancements enhance home entertainment experiences.

Introduction

Those born after India’s independence are fortunate to witness great changes, both budding and blooming. The “transitional” generation is like a bridge between olden ways of living and comparatively more revolutionised ways, or even further. Over the last seventy-five years, humanity has taken a significant step ahead in the fields of science and technology. The evolution of Television is one such technology which rapidly grew and surrounded every household.

Significant period

The period from 1969 onward has been a significant period of growth in science and technology all over the world. There were many firsts, including the first-ever moon walk by humans in July 1969. Neil Armstrong was the first human to put his foot on the moon’s surface. He etched a story of human intellectual superiority. His achievement demonstrated grit and firm determination.

(1) India on the moon

More than half a century later, India made history. It became the first to successfully land its lunar module, Vikram lander, on the South Pole of the moon. Rover Pragyan experimented. It collected samples, took high-resolution photographs and sent them back to Earth at the space research centre in India (ISRO).

(2) Space technology and TV

Unlike radio, which transmits sound waves, Television is a device which receives audio-visual signals. The development of television (TV) is connected to advancements in space exploration. It even runs in parallel with advancements in space technology. To reminisce about the first TV serial, it would be interesting to know when TV technology appeared.

The invention

So, let us go back to 1926 when a Scottish engineer, John Logie Baird, demonstrated the mechanical TV. It was in the incipient stage, which took a momentous turn when Philo Taylor Farnsworth demonstrated electronic TV in 1927. It sent pictures and sound electronically. The electronic TV demonstrated by Farnsworth became the precursor of modern TVs.

Television in India

Television was introduced in India in 1959 with support from UNESCO. Still, it remained largely unknown to most people at that time. After a gap of about six years, an hour-long television service launched in 1965. It included a news bulletin. Initially, television signals were transmitted by All India Radio (AIR) using the existing infrastructure of a radio station. The service was later expanded to Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay). By 1975, television centres were established in several cities, including Calcutta (now Kolkata), Chennai (formerly Madras), Srinagar, Amritsar, and Lucknow. (DAV University)

(1) TV in markets

TV sets hit the Indian market in 1982. In its early days, most of the TV programmes were black and white, monotonous and dull. Primarily televising news items and government documentaries.

(2) Soap opera launched

The first soap opera, “Hum Log”, launched in the year 1984. It resonated with the people and became a hit. It kept people glued to their TV sets when the opera aired. As the popularity of TV grew, serials like “Buniyaad”, “Nukkad”, “Neem Ka Ped”, “Ramayan” and “Mahabharat” also aired. The public enthusiastically watched them. Shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat successfully touched emotional chords, becoming instant hits that gave impetus to television in India.

(3) A status symbol

Owning a TV became a status symbol. Those who couldn’t afford a TV visited their neighbourhood. They watched shows at the time of their telecast. Streets would wear a deserted look and a lull enshrouded till the show ran.

Gulf-war and TV

The year 1992 was important. The Gulf War had started. Satellite channels used to televise it, which gave a taste of its potential to the people. In India, Zee TV launched using satellite signals.

(1) Cable TV

The TV technology was witnessing a swift change. People earlier relied on video cassettes, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs to watch their favourite programs. Now, they had a new way to entertain themselves. Cable TV became a way of life. Their TV sets transformed into an efficient mode of information and entertainment, rather than remaining an “Idiot-box”.

(2) The technique

Cable TV operators used a big parabolic antenna to capture TV signals. It then processed the signals to distribute them using cables to individual homes. This was the time when long TV antennas, commonly seen on rooftops, began to disappear.

(3) Improved signal, Sharp pictures

Sharp and crisp pictures with improved signals made cable TV a popular platform. Households can enjoy better-quality colour pictures on their TV sets. There was no hassle of adjusting the TV antenna every now and then.

(4) satellites TV

The communication satellites opened a new vista. They enabled fast, secure, and smooth communication. The satellite TV channels started, revolutionising TV viewing. Cable TV soon became obsolete. Doordarshan and some private operators like Tata Sky, Videocon, and Airtel started providing connections at competitive rates through Dish TV. The rapid advancements in TV technology have significantly affected cinemagoers and reduced box office earnings.

Revolution in TV sets

The TV sets also revolutionised. Bulky and cumbersome TV sets that used heavy CRTs (Cathode Ray Tube) gradually replaced by progressively thinner and wider sets. These new sets came with advanced technology. The picture quality became sharper, crisper and clearer. The colour rendition became greatly improved, giving a new look to television in India.

(1) Changing TV screens

TV screens were changing fast, adopting LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology, then LED (Light-Emitting Diode) technology. They consume significantly less electricity, have better performance and picture quality. Acronyms like HD, UHD, FHD and QHD became common catchwords. HD stands for High Definition. UHD stands for Ultra High Definition. FHD is for Full High Definition. QHD is for Quad High Definition. These terms define the picture quality and colour reproduction of the picture on a TV set and its price.

Deep Penetration

Factors like content variety and ease of watching in the comfort of the home boosted TV’s popularity. Sharp and clear pictures and competitive prices also contributed significantly. As a result, TV penetrated deep into society. It affected the film industry. Filmmakers and actors shifted their attention to the new genre of TV. New television serials aired on various channels. Doordarshan was and is a government-owned channel. Parallel to it, private television networks like STAR and Zee TV also entered the market in 1992. Channels, like Sony, were also frequent. A tough competition on TV programmes started leading to variety in program content and the way of presentation.

Integration of computer technology

The powerful tool of home entertainment TV became more powerful and convenient with the integration of computer technology. It gave them a different dimension. Integration of digital technology transformed it into a digital TV, eventually making it “Smart”. A Smart TV accesses internet signals and can be used as a computer screen. It can capture digital signals. When mixed with UHD, FHD or QHD screens, a fairly big TV offers digital sound quality. It was capable of transforming a living room into a Cinema Theatre. Having a “Home Theatre System” in a house is usual. A quality home theatre system significantly enhances TV viewing, creating a theatre-like experience in the comfort of the home. It can be obtained from an online platform like Amazon https://amzn.to/4myyK9N

Digital contents

Computer technology has replaced the analogue system. As a result, TV watching has entered a new era. This era is marked by efficient and easy technology usage. The gadgets have become powerful, efficient, attractive in performance and ease of use. TV viewing is no exception. The digital content is easily shareable and conveniently watched on the go. Visual, spoken, or written content is accessible anywhere. Access is possible anytime on any mobile device. Gadgets include smart mobile phones and wearables.

In the end

Started several years ago, television has swiftly travelled a long distance. TV viewing is not limited to being glued to a TV set. Using wings of technology, it is flying high, where only the sky is the limit. The screens are being modified. Soon we will have a portable and foldable screen. It can be conveniently put up as a TV screen anywhere.

Despite advancements, old soap operas and TV programs still keep their charm and glamour. It seems to follow the mantra of “Old is gold”.

Further readings:

• The Moon: Myths, Science, and Cultural Significance
• The Evolution of Social Media Communication
• The Challenge of Setting Personal Goals
• The Dual Nature of Technology: Beneficial or Harmful?
• The Evolution of Computers: From Abacus to Modern Machines

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