Television-and-Media-Studies history of tv

History of tv journalism and media

1. Television & Media Studies A comprehensive academic guide exploring television's evolution, technology, and newsroom operations for university students and instructors.

2. Global Television Timeline From experimental broadcasts to streaming dominance 1 1920s-1930s: Early Experiments John Logie Baird demonstrates first working television in London (1926). BBC begins world's first regular broadcasts in 1936, featuring live coverage of King George VI's coronation. 2 1950s: Golden Age Television enters mainstream with landmark shows like "I Love Lucy" (1951) and "The Honeymooners" (1955). Live drama and variety shows dominate programming. 3 1960s: Satellite Revolution Telstar satellite launches in 1962, enabling global broadcasts. Kennedy-Nixon debate demonstrates television's political influence. Colour television spreads rapidly. 4 1980s-1990s: Cable & Digital Era CNN launches 24-hour news (1980), MTV revolutionises music culture. Digital transmission begins, reality TV emerges with shows like "Big Brother". 5 2000s-Present: OTT Dominance Netflix introduces streaming (2007). Smart TVs and binge-watching culture emerge. Original content from platforms like Netflix transforms television landscape.

3. Indian Television Evolution Key Milestones 1959: Doordarshan experimental telecast begins in Delhi 1982: Asian Games introduces colour TV nationwide 1984: "Hum Log" - India's first soap opera addresses social issues 1987-88: "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata" unite entire nation 1990s: Liberalisation brings satellite TV boom with Zee TV and Star Plus Cultural Impact Indian television transformed from educational tool to entertainment medium. Epic serials like "Ramayana" achieved unprecedented viewership, with entire villages gathering around community TV sets. The 1990s liberalisation marked India's entry into global television culture, introducing reality shows and diverse programming formats.

4. SITE & Kheda Projects Pioneering rural communication through satellite technology SITE Project (1975-76) Partnership: ISRO + NASA using ATS-6 satellite Reach: 2,400 villages across six states Content: Agricultural practices, health awareness, literacy programmes, family planning Significance: World's largest sociological experiment via television Kheda Communications Project Location: Kheda district, Gujarat (1975-1990) Innovation: Community TV sets with low-cost production studios Approach: Two-way communication model with rural participation in programme design Legacy: Training ground for ISRO and Doordarshan experts

5. TV Newsroom Structure A newsroom integrates gathering, editing, and broadcasting news through coordinated departments working seamlessly together. Input Desk Function: Collects raw news from reporters, agencies (PTI, ANI, Reuters), stringers, and citizen journalism Process: Verification, filtering, story assignment Output Desk Function: Shapes news content through editing, scripting, graphics preparation Process: Creates rundown (story order), briefs anchors, ensures editorial quality Production Desk Function: Handles technical execution with video, sound, graphics integration Process: Coordinates with Master Control Room (MCR) for final broadcast

6. Camera Angles & Their Psychological Impact Eye-Level Shots Creates neutral, objective perspective. Most commonly used in news broadcasts and interviews for establishing credibility and trust with viewers. High-Angle Shots Makes subject appear vulnerable, weak, or small. Often used in documentaries to show isolation or in news to depict crisis situations. Low-Angle Shots Empowers subject, making them appear dominant or authoritative. Frequently used for political interviews and corporate presentations. Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) Captures interaction and dialogue effectively. Standard technique in television interviews and panel discussions for maintaining viewer engagement.

7. Camera Movements & Shot Types Camera Movements Pan: Horizontal sweep following action Tilt: Vertical movement for emphasis Dolly/Tracking: Physical camera movement with subject Crane/Drone: Large sweeping aerial shots Zoom: Optical magnification without camera movement Steadicam: Smooth handheld movement Essential Shot Types Extreme Long Shot (ELS): Shows environment and scale Medium Shot (MS): Waist up, ideal for interviews Close-Up (CU): Captures emotions and facial expressions Two-Shot: Two people in conversation frame POV Shot: Shows character's perspective

8. Video Editing Fundamentals From basic cuts to sophisticated storytelling techniques Basic Transitions Cut: Immediate shift between shots Fade: Gradual appearance/disappearance Dissolve: Overlapping transition Wipe: Screen replacement by moving line Advanced Techniques Continuity Editing: Logical, seamless progression Montage: Juxtaposition creating meaning Jump Cut: Abrupt time/space transition Cross-Cutting: Parallel storyline editing Modern Non-Linear Editing (NLE) systems like Avid, Adobe Premiere, and DaVinci Resolve provide unprecedented flexibility with digital archiving, layering capabilities, and unlimited undo/redo functions.

9. Exam Preparation Strategy 01 Phase 1: Historical Foundation Create side-by-side comparison charts of global versus Indian television development. Memorise landmark shows and events for exam references and case studies. 02 Phase 2: Rural Communication Models Study SITE and Kheda projects as pioneering case studies. Understand their impact on Indian television policy and rural communication strategies. 03 Phase 3: Newsroom Operations Memorise newsroom workflow diagrams. Practice drawing and explaining organisational structures for practical examination questions. 04 Phase 4: Technical Production Learn camera angles, movements, and editing terminology with cinema and television examples. Practice identifying techniques in real broadcasts. 05 Phase 5: Integrated Understanding Connect historical evolution with technology advancement, newsroom operations, and production techniques for comprehensive examination preparation.

10. Ready for Television Studies Success Television has evolved from experimental broadcasts to global streaming platforms, fundamentally transforming how societies communicate, learn, and share cultural narratives. Key Takeaways Television's journey from Baird's experiments to OTT platforms India's unique path through SITE, Kheda, and Doordarshan Professional newsroom structures and workflows Technical mastery of camera work and editing Next Steps Apply this comprehensive knowledge to analyse contemporary television trends, create practical production projects, and excel in your media studies examinations.