Since the advent of television in the

1940s, television has influenced changes to

America politically, culturally,

economically, and socially.

Three television networks

•CBS – NBC – ABC

•Remained top stations throughout the century

Few independent stations in larger cities

•Played mostly reruns

PBS created 1967

•Public instead of commercial

•Sesame Street aired on PBS 1969

Cable TV

•Potentially hundreds of channels

Up until late 1960s, traditional,

respectful family was portrayed

“Brady Bunch” (1969) was scandalous for its time

“All In The Family” was even more disgraceful

•Birth control, abortion, cancer, and criticism about the government

Ethnic diversity attempted in 1970s sitcoms

•Often turned out being offensive

Most popular during 1960s and 1970s

Included musical performances and sketch comedy

“The Sonny andCher Comedy Hour”

“The Carol Burnett Show”

“The Tonight Show”

“Huckleberry Hound” most viewers adults

“The Flintstones” (1960)

“The Simpsons” (1990)

Children’s cartoons on Saturday mornings

“The Roadrunner Show”

15 minute newscasts on either NBC or CBS

Assassination of President John F. Kennedy•24/7 Coverage for 4 days•All of America grieving and connected

The first steps of Neil A. Armstrong onthe moon

•Footage sent directly from moon•Americans saw 1.3 seconds later on the news

Drought in Ethiopia (1984)•Newspaper stories with no reaction•Footage shown on NBC – huge reaction from people

Murder trial of O.J. Simpson in 1995

1960 campaign for presidency between Kennedy and Nixon

•First televised debate

•TV viewers thought Kennedy won – Radio thought Nixon won

Image important in politics

The Arsenio Hall Show

Americans saw candidates on talk shows

•Bill Clinton vs. George Bush

Candidates specialized advertisements to the region it would be played

Ads a part of script in the show

Would sing slogan, or use product and describe its great qualities

Actors/characters became synonymous with the product they promoted

•Fred Flintstone and Winston

Censorship

•Ex: cereal sponsor says kids can’t refuse to eat cereal in show

Police beating black man caught on home camera (1991)

Tape sold to news station

Police violence toward minorities a hot topic in the U.S.

Many Americans then bought cameras to recorded news events and expose wrongdoings

Average people now had some power with the television

Keeps Americans connected and informed with country and world events

Turned into big business

Contributes to obese America