American television
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| American television | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| First broadcast | 1928 |
| Major networks | NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, The CW |
| Picture format | 1080p, 4K UHD |
| Headquarters | New York City, Los Angeles |
American television American television developed from experimental broadcasts in the 1920s into a dominant cultural and commercial medium by the mid-20th century, combining technological innovation, corporate consolidation, and creative programming. Major organizations such as RCA, AT&T, Westinghouse, and Warner Bros. shaped infrastructure while personalities like Lucille Ball, Edward R. Murrow, Rod Serling, Norman Lear, and Oprah Winfrey influenced content and distribution. The medium intersects with institutions including the Federal Communications Commission, United States Congress, Library of Congress, and awards like the Primetime Emmy Award.
History
Television in the United States traces technological milestones from early demonstrations by Philo Farnsworth and Vladimir K. Zworykin to commercial networks such as NBC and CBS expanding after World War II. The postwar era saw the rise of genres exemplified by programs like I Love Lucy, The Ed Sullivan Show, Gunsmoke, and The Twilight Zone; the 1950s also featured the McCarthyism-era HUAC hearings that affected program personnel. The 1960s and 1970s brought color broadcasts, live events such as the Apollo 11 moon landing and the Vietnam War telecasts, and socially conscious series like All in the Family and M*A*S*H. Deregulation and satellite capacity in the 1980s enabled cable networks such as HBO, CNN, and MTV to emerge, while the 1990s and 2000s saw consolidation among Viacom, Time Warner, Disney, and the rise of reality formats like Survivor and American Idol. The 2010s introduced streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Apple TV+ that disrupted legacy business models.
Industry and Networks
The industry comprises broadcast networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox), national cable channels (CNN, ESPN, TBS), and streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+). Major conglomerates include The Walt Disney Company, Comcast, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery; ownership battles and mergers involved regulators at the Federal Communications Commission and decisions referencing the Communications Act of 1934. Affiliate systems link national networks with local stations such as WABC-TV, WNBC, and WLS-TV, while syndication markets trade series like The Simpsons and Wheel of Fortune. Trade organizations including the National Association of Broadcasters and labor unions like the Writers Guild of America influence contracts and production terms.
Programming and Genres
Programming spans scripted dramas (e.g., Breaking Bad, The Sopranos), situation comedies (Seinfeld, Friends), variety shows (Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson), news programs (60 Minutes, Meet the Press), sports broadcasts (Super Bowl, World Series), children's series (Sesame Street, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood), and reality formats (The Real World, The Bachelor). Cable and streaming foster niche outlets such as Adult Swim and anthology series like Black Mirror adaptations, while miniseries events (e.g., Roots (1977 miniseries)) and limited series became prestige vehicles showcased at festivals like Sundance Film Festival and awards ceremonies including the Golden Globe Awards.
Production and Distribution
Production centers in Los Angeles and New York City rely on studios such as Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Studios, and independent production companies including Shondaland and Bad Robot Productions. Stages and backlots coordinate with unions like SAG-AFTRA and technical crews governed by the Directors Guild of America. Distribution includes over-the-air broadcast via transmitters licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, cable carriage negotiated under retransmission consent rules referencing the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, and internet delivery over content delivery networks operated by Akamai Technologies and providers like Comcast and AT&T. Episodes enter syndication windows, streaming catalogs, and international sales handled through distributors such as NBCUniversal Syndication Studios.
Regulation and Standards
Regulation involves the Federal Communications Commission enforcing indecency standards, licensing, and spectrum allocation, influenced by legislation including the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Technical standards evolved from analog NTSC to digital ATSC broadcasts and now to high-definition and HDR formats defined by organizations like the Advanced Television Systems Committee. Content standards and ratings are administered by the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board and industry self-regulatory bodies such as the Broadcasting Board of Governors. Antitrust actions and merger reviews have implicated entities including Sony Corporation of America and Comcast Corporation.
Audience and Ratings
Audience measurement historically used systems by AC Nielsen Company to generate ratings and shares that determine advertising rates and program renewals, while modern measurement incorporates streaming metrics from platforms like YouTube and Netflix. Demographic targeting segments viewers by age cohorts (e.g., Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z) and uses data from televisions, set-top boxes, and digital analytics produced by firms such as Comscore. Live event ratings remain critical for broadcasts of NFL games and awards shows like the Academy Awards.
Cultural Impact and Influence
Television has shaped public discourse through programs that intersect with institutions and events such as presidential debates featuring John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, investigative journalism exemplified by Edward R. Murrow and Watergate coverage, and popularization of music via The Ed Sullivan Show and MTV. Series like Roots (1977 miniseries), All in the Family, and The Cosby Show influenced conversations on race, family, and social policy, while formats exported internationally inspired adaptations like Big Brother and The Voice. The medium's relationship with politics, commerce, and culture continues to evolve amid debates involving digital platforms, privacy policies enforced by companies like Facebook, and shifts in viewing habits tracked by academic centers such as the Pew Research Center.