THE 9 MOST IMPORTANT TELEVISION CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The characteristics of television have allowed it to become the mass media with the greatest presence and reach worldwide. Its system, intended for the reception and transmission of sounds and images that simulate movement at a distance, has reached great importance, being the mass media par excellence dedicated to informing, instructing and entertaining people around the world.

Its origins date back to the end of the 19th century, when, when phototelegraphy was discovered, a new form of electromagnetic transmission of images and sounds was discovered. Its antecedents are found in Paul Nipkow's light exploration disk and Vladimir Zworykin's iconoscope tube, both of which allowed the existence of mechanical and electronic television in the 1920s.

By the 1930s, electronic television with higher quality and definition emerged, as well as the first mobile television cameras. Later, thanks to the discovery of selenium, television was born in the United States and Great Britain in 1936.

However, with the arrival of World War II in Europe, it was Latin America and the Mexican television industry that managed to start broadcasting in black and white since 1946, developing the first commercial channels. Later, in the 1950s, color television emerged and, in the 1960s, the popular cable television.

As the decade of the 70s, 80s and 90s progresses, the local and regional television markets begin to develop, allowing the emergence of the high definition television that we know today, as well as the beginning of digital television on the Internet.

Main characteristics of television

Big audience

Television is characterized by being a means of communication received by a large audience, hence it is classified as "the largest mass communication medium."

Television is considered to be the most attractive medium for viewers precisely because it manages to captivate and include different social strata regardless of their social, economic, political or cultural conditions.

Its enormous power of social penetration has contributed to the fact that today people watch television daily for 3 hours and 40 minutes, being an easily accessible and free medium.

Power of influence

The television has acquired great power within societies, as it is common for most people to own one and sit down to watch it several times a day.

Because of this it is a key medium for influencing people, especially politics and business. Businesses use television to advertise, but politicians also know its power to gain influence.

The great social appeal of television lies in the fact that watching television does not require extra effort, which is why people do not need high academic degrees to understand the different messages that are presented to them. Reason why it has managed to capture various types of audiences.

Audiovisual medium

One of the main characteristics of television is that it consists of a means of communication that includes sounds and images, which helps the user to create mental impressions of what he sees and hears on the screen.

It is this quality that allows people to relate emotionally to what they see on the screen, hence they feel identified and most of the images displayed are memorable.

Domestic environment

Television has acquired the characteristic of being a "domestic" medium by allowing the user to enjoy it from the comfort of their home.

A quality that has conferred great success on television for becoming an integral part of people's lives, who use it in their gatherings and family meals.

Television is an intimate medium that brings families together and provides personalized entertainment and information.

Immediate medium

The objective of television is to be able to observe the image in real time, hence this means of communication allows a constant, instantaneous and rapid flow of information.

That is why television has contributed significantly to globalization, allowing people to interconnect, breaking down the barriers of time and space.

Thanks to this characteristic of television, people can witness different events that occur miles away from their homes, whether it be important football or tennis matches, for example, or some news or environmental catastrophe.

Educational environment

One of the functions of television is to educate and instruct its audience through the different programming it offers, which helps the user to learn about issues related to health and food.

At the same time, it includes programs for children that contribute to their intellectual, emotional and motor development. In addition, as it is an interactive audiovisual medium, it helps the user retain information quickly and easily.

Television strengthens national integration and strengthens respect for moral and ethical values.

You may be interested 13 Advantages and Disadvantages of Television in Children.

Political instrument

By occupying most of the daily lives of large numbers of people, television has become the mass media of choice for voters.

The citizens, instead of turning to political bodies, prefer to use television as a means of information and help when selecting the right candidate.

That is why television has acquired great social power when it comes to influencing voters and their decisions when important electoral campaigns approach.

Media most used by advertising agencies

Precisely because television is aimed at mass audiences of different tastes, ages, personalities and different socio-cultural contexts, advertisements are usually transmitted through it.

Advertising companies choose the best time to advertise their products, namely when audience levels are highest.

In addition, television allows the inclusion of a great variety of advertising forms that between programming and programming are usually seen by the user.

Promote cultural exchange

Television has become a cultural tool by contributing to the processes of transculturation.

Through its various options for films, series, newscasts, sports, cultural and gastronomic programs, it has helped different cultures meet, accept and respect each other.

Contributes to social heterogeneity

Television has managed to target billions of users, each with different ideologies, opinions and perceptions, because it has been characterized by promoting various programs that include in one way or another the tastes of the different audiences that listen to it.

Thus, television is seen as an open and liberal medium that offers the user a unique experience.

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