Unit 1
The History of Television and the Nature of the Medium

In Unit 1, we begin our consideration of television with a review of the technological and social factors that contributed to the development of television technology, the creation of the content and form of television programming, and the evolution of control over the television industry. We then consider the development of television criticism, also as a phenomenon with social and intellectual roots, and we introduce some of the most important questions that have been asked about the effects of television on society, education and the quality of life.

Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to

1. discuss the origin of several of the sources on which the critical discipline of television studies is based, and their effect on the discipline.
2. identify the anticipated and actual contributions of television to areas such as mass education, entertainment, social unity, etc.
3. identify the key concerns that critics raise about television.
4. discuss the advantages and disadvantages of television, as compared with those of books, radio and cinema.