It is hard to imagine, but TV hasn’t been around for that long. In fact, TV was made commercially available in the 1930s. TV’s popularity grew exponentially and it soon became the dominant media. By 1960 that over 87% of households in the developed countries had a TV set. Therefore, our grandmothers didn’t grow up with a TV. They entertained themselves with more communal means, such as playing cards, and storytelling. These means of entertainment were more interactive and participative than the TV, in which viewers just sit and receive information.
In recent years, as the Internet use has grown, the TV has begun to lose its position as the dominant media. The situation is particularly so in the Western world, where the Internet is the norm. People can read the news, and watch programs over the Internet whenever they want. People can get their favourite series or movie and watch it at their leisure and without advertisements. Moreover, quality content on TV is sometimes lacking, or sometimes it might be the opposite but the viewer simply does not have time to watch it at that particular moment. TV can feel a bit imposing since viewers have to watch whatever is being broadcasted whenever the TV Company broadcasts it. It is very limiting, and there isn’t much choice.
Things change when it is an important live event such as the Olympics, or a federal election. In this case viewers will want to take advantage of the full coverage provided on TV. Also, viewers can only watch something on the Internet individually, so when they want to have a shared experience, they will still seek the convenience of the TV. For example, viewers watching a football match in the company of their friends.
In other countries, where Internet still hasn’t reached the majority, TV is still the dominant media. In sum, TV is loosing its importance and power to the Internet, but it is by no means doomed. The TV will still keep an audience which will be focused on live events and shared experiences.
Sources
http://news.yahoo.com/page/televisions
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