In this blog post, we’ll examine the evolution of television and its current role, and consider whether smartphones and the internet can completely replace TV.
Television was first successfully tested in 1926 by British inventor John Logie Baird, who began working on it in 1922. The name “television” is a combination of the Greek words “tele,” meaning “far,” and “vision,” meaning “to see.” As this etymology suggests, a television is a device that allows viewers to receive video signals transmitted from a remote location. Today, the term “television” primarily refers to the device used to receive and watch programs produced by broadcasters.
The very first televisions were mechanical devices that transmitted moving images by rotating a disc. Mechanical televisions required the constant turning of internal components while in use and had limitations in improving picture quality. Due to these issues, mechanical televisions did not become widely adopted. Next came the electronic television, which utilized a cathode ray tube (CRT) and remained in use until recently. CRT televisions addressed the shortcomings of earlier mechanical models and quickly replaced them, becoming widely adopted. The next major evolution in television occurred in the 1950s, when the transition from black-and-white to color took place. This allowed televisions to display a rich array of colors, providing a more visually stimulating experience.
From this period onward, television transcended its role as a simple device for transmitting video and came to occupy an important place within the home. Families gathered together to watch programs and share social and cultural experiences, which played a significant role in fostering family bonds and a sense of community. Television went beyond being a mere household appliance to become a key element in shaping family culture.
Nowadays, it has become rare to see televisions with cathode ray tubes. Traditional CRT televisions had the problem that as the screen size increased, the set became thicker and the picture quality deteriorated. Flat-panel televisions, which addressed these issues by offering thin designs and high picture quality, began to appear in the 1990s. Furthermore, with the widespread international adoption of digital technology—which is far superior to the analog technology previously used for television reception—television has also begun to transition from analog to digital. Recently, in South Korea, analog broadcasting has been completely discontinued, meaning television broadcasts can now only be viewed via digital means.
Television’s functions can be broadly categorized into information delivery and entertainment. First, representative examples of television’s information delivery function include news and current affairs programs. By watching the news, we can learn about events happening around the world, and by watching current affairs programs, we can hear the perspectives of people from all walks of life on current issues and organize our own thoughts. Furthermore, through such broadcasts, certain issues can become major social topics, and public opinion can be shaped. A simple example of this is when a television broadcast calls for donations to help flood victims; many people feel compelled to contribute, resulting in substantial fundraising.
The second function of television is entertainment. The most representative examples of television programs in this category include dramas, animated films, and variety shows. In the evenings, families gather to watch dramas and enjoy themselves. On weekend evenings, we all laugh together while watching variety or comedy shows. Young children laugh while watching cartoons on TV, forgetting the stress and frustrations that built up throughout the day. By providing people with fun and laughter in this way, television plays an important role in enhancing the quality of life.
Furthermore, television has also served an educational role.
By providing educational content through educational broadcasts and delivering diverse knowledge and information to viewers through documentary programs, television has also been used as a learning tool within the home. In this way, television has established itself as an important medium for education and information provision, going beyond mere entertainment.
Until recently, television was the most powerful mass medium and held a dictatorial-like influence. However, television’s position has recently been under serious threat. In the past, there were no devices capable of replacing the functions of television. Consequently, viewers had to sit in front of the television during specific program times to watch dramas, news, and other shows. Television was indispensable for keeping up with current events and watching entertainment programs. Furthermore, since television could only broadcast pre-recorded programs and live broadcasts were severely restricted, it was easy to control the information disseminated. Since only the information desired by those in power could be transmitted via television, it served as a means of controlling the public. However, with the spread of computers and the internet, television lost much of its function as a medium for information delivery. Computers and the internet provide far more information in real time. They were also freer from censorship compared to existing media.
Furthermore, recent technological advancements have made it possible to watch TV programs on cell phones or view live TV programs on computers. Video transmission, which was once a unique function of television, has been largely replaced by other devices. Consequently, while television was considered a necessity as recently as the 1990s, this is no longer the case today. The younger generation tends to purchase computers before televisions. Furthermore, while technological advancements in traditional television have led to the creation of a wealth of content, this content can now also be enjoyed via computers or smartphones. The position of the machine traditionally called a “television” has become significantly diminished.
However, as mentioned at the very beginning, I defined a television as “a machine that allows you to receive video content transmitted from a source.” This raises the question: since computers and smartphones can also receive and play broadcast videos, can they be called televisions? In conclusion, while these devices can be said to perform the functions of a television, they are not televisions themselves. This is because their primary purpose is not to receive radio waves to watch videos, so they cannot be classified as televisions. However, if one wishes, they can install a specific program or use a particular method to receive radio waves transmitted by a broadcasting station and watch videos, so it can be said that they perform the role of a television.
This is also evident in the words of the French philosopher Jean Baudrillard, who said, “In modern society, the boundaries between the original and the copy, and between reality and virtual reality, are becoming blurred and indistinguishable.” The boundaries between traditional televisions and computers and smartphones—which replicate the functions of a television—have become blurred. As a result, the role of the television as we traditionally conceived it has significantly diminished.
Just as the saying goes, “A crisis is an opportunity,” the television is also beginning to change. Electronics companies have started developing a new type of television distinct from the traditional model, leading to the creation of what are now known as 3D TVs, smart TVs, and transparent TVs. 3D TVs have introduced stereoscopic video technology—a feature rarely seen on other devices—into television programming. Smart TVs come equipped with built-in internet connectivity and offer functions similar to those of PCs and smartphones, emerging as a new form of television in our lives. In particular, smart TVs allow users to install and utilize various applications, much like smartphones, and are designed to be used in diverse ways, such as accessing social networking services, watching videos, and searching for information. Transparent TVs are regarded as having surpassed the limitations of conventional TVs thanks to successful research and development in transparent display technology. When powered off, this product allows users to see through the screen like transparent glass, offering a sense of openness as well as excellent harmony with the surrounding interior.
In the 2000s, TVs began reclaiming the functions that had previously been taken over by cell phones and computers.
Despite these changes in television technology, 3D TVs and smart TVs still suffer from incomplete content and technology. Transparent TVs, for instance, are extremely expensive. With 3D TVs, viewers must wear special glasses. Additionally, prolonged viewing of 3D TVs can cause eye strain and dizziness. Smart TVs also require further development of content. Due to their high cost, the commercial viability of transparent TVs remains uncertain. However, such issues are akin to the inevitable trials that arise during the early stages of adopting new technology. These challenges will gradually be resolved as technology advances and time passes.
As mentioned above, in modern society, technology is constantly evolving, and the boundaries between devices are becoming increasingly blurred. Therefore, televisions will also take on various roles as we move further into the future. In terms of technological advancements, future TVs are expected to include large, portable, and easy-to-install models, as well as perfect 3D TVs and holographic TVs. Furthermore, current TVs operate on a one-way model where viewers passively watch and consume programs. However, TVs that allow users to look up information when curious and enable two-way communication will emerge. Even if portable and convenient devices become more popular, it is estimated that people will still spend a significant amount of time at home, so the traditional TV kept in the home will not disappear. The transmission of video content, which has been the primary function of television since its inception, will always remain its main purpose.
Ultimately, as television evolves through various technologies and forms, it will continue to play a vital role in our daily lives and evolve ceaselessly.
