Before the advent of modern technology, entertainment consisted of only a select few repetitive activities with little scope for variation. The one really positive thing about this was that people spent more time in one contact and social interaction. Life was simple by nature. Now, however, things move at a pace that is unprecedented and technology facilitates the almost flawless running and current world knowledge that previously was not able to be done.

One of the most influential modern technologies we have is the television. Television was not the invention of one given individual but a combination of ideas taking physical form from both scientists and men. Televisions were initially not entirely electronic. Initial screens displayed a blurry picture the size of about a half of a business card! This era in television took place in the 1930’s and these first sets are not to be compared to the fully electronic televisions of today.

Between the late 1930s and early 1940s the electronic television was honed to perfection. At that juncture, however, it was not commonplace for the average man on the street to have such a set in his possession. World War II brought to an end nearly all television broadcasting in the world. The period after World War II is considered the last contractions in the final birth of television as we know. Due to the war families has amassed savings and were eager to buy cars, homes and all other luxuries denied them during the great time of strife that had just passed. Televisions were a ‘must have’. There was a post war explosion in both the American and English marketplace. The 1950s was an amazingly exciting time for further technological development in television as a whole. Electronic televisions and remote controls made their appearance.

Despite being the most technologically advanced country in Africa, South Africa was slow in bringing television and the broadcast thereof to its people. Television in South Africa was first introduced in 1976.

The countries white minority government viewed television as a potential threat to its control of the broadcasting media, even though the state-controlled SABC had a full monopoly on it. It also saw the new technology as a threat to Afrikaans and the fear was that precedence would be given to English.

It was said that even though televisions were modern things, that fact, did not make the desirable. It was believed that this media held dangers for the people both spiritually and physically. However, many South Africans – including Afrikaners did not share these views. South Africa was one of the few countries, much to our embarrassment, that did not watch the live event of the first man’s landing on the moon in 1969. Experimental broadcasts began in May of 1975 and nationwide service commenced January of 1976.

The world over is populated by television sets. Our worlds have opened up. Not only are we able to have global current news within our reach with immediacy, interests such as sports, entertainment, educational programming, nature conservation, hobbies and interests can be found to quench the thirst of any enthusiast in their particular field of interest. You name it and you will be able to source it. Surf the channels. Find what it is that you are looking for. Sit back, relax and enjoy.