Dr. Mehak Jonjua
As we remember World Television Day on November 21, it’s been worthy to reflect on how the simple box with moving pictures has transmuted human civilization and transformed everything, from family dynamics to global politics. And in celebrating this medium’s achievements, we must confront its complicated legacy.The journey of television as a luxury item and then a necessity mirrors how human society made a technological leap during the 20th century. No one could have predicted, when the first families gathered around small black-and-white screens, that this invention would democratise information, entertainment, and culture exchange. The 1969 moon landing united 600 million viewers worldwide-telling testament to television’s power to create shared human experiences.The Indian television story, in particular, offers fascinating insights into the medium’s transformative potential. From the experimental broadcasts of 1959 to the current digital revolution, India’s TV journey reflects its broader social evolution. Doordarshan’s monopoly years, while criticized for government control, paradoxically created a shared national consciousness. Shows like “Hum Log” (1984) and “Buniyaad” didn’t just entertain; they sparked social discussions about family planning and women’s rights. Ramayan” (1987-88) was the watershed moment that reached 82% viewership and demonstrated that television could unite a diverse nation.The digital revolution has transformed the terrain of television in a very profound manner. Not just a technological upgrade, the switchover to analog-to-digital broadcasting in India was completed in 2017. It democratized the content producers’ role, improved signal quality, and enabled interactive services. DTH services redefined rooftops in villages across rural India with hundreds of channels where only a few were accessible earlier. Smart TVs, as well as hybrid platforms, are making the dichotomy between traditional broadcasting and internet streaming increasingly amorphous.This transformation is evident in critical moments of recent history. During the COVID-19 pandemic, television proved invaluable for remote education. The Indian government’s Swayam Prabha initiative, broadcasting educational content through 32 DTH channels, reached millions of students without internet access. Television’s role in crisis communication became evident during natural disasters like the 2004 tsunami and 2013 Uttarakhand floods, where it served as a crucial information lifeline.Yet, the “idiot box” moniker persists, despite television’s evolution into a sophisticated medium. Consider the 2008 Mumbai attacks, where television’s real-time coverage, though controversial, transformed crisis reporting. Or the Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement of 2011, where television amplified public discourse on governance. The medium’s impact on electoral democracy is undeniable – the first televised Indian political advertisement in 1984 marked the beginning of a new era in political communication.However, this revolution came with its contradictions. While television brought the world into our living rooms, it also began dictating lifestyle choices and consumption patterns. The medium that promised to inform and educate increasingly became a tool for commercial exploitation. The transition from single-channel simplicities to today’s 900+ channels in India reflects both democratization and fragmentation of viewership.The digital age presents new challenges and opportunities. Smart TVs now integrate traditional broadcasting with OTT platforms, creating hybrid viewing experiences. The rise of interactive television allows viewers to participate in real-time polls during news broadcasts or access additional information through QR codes. Regional language channels have exploded, with states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala leading in local content production.Television’s achievements are undeniable: immediate news coverage that keeps a government on its toes, educational programming that reaches remote villages, and entertainment that helps cultural bridges. The Indian SITE (Satellite Instructional Television Experiment) program of 1975-76 proved that television can be a powerful tool for rural development and education.It has democratized content creation as well. With minimal infrastructure, the local news channel is speaking for the community. It transformed political accountability with the rise of 24×7 news channels, though questions about media ethics persist. Success with regional languages proves the role of television in preserving cultural diversity and fostering national integration.Yet, critical questions remain. In an era of streaming services and social media, traditional television faces an identity crisis. The medium that once united families now competes with personalized content streams. The digital divide threatens to create new inequalities, even as smart TVs promise enhanced connectivity.Looking ahead, television will face the challenge of authenticity with what is being labeled as deep fakes and other forms of misinformation. The success of a medium that can blend in aspects of social media, interactivity, and AI-facilitated personalization while retaining its social functionality will be the essence of its survival.World Television Day is not some celebration of technology alone but the recognition of a medium that constructed modern civilization. From emergency broadcasts to Olympic ceremonies, from educational programs to daily news, television remains a powerful tool for social change. However unsure the future might be for its own purposes, television shall always remain a stamp on human history.The box that changed everything continues evolving. The question is: Are we shaping television, or is television shaping us?
