World Television Day: 10 interesting facts about the telly you did not know
First TV commercialThe first-ever TV commercial was aired in 1941 in the US. It was for Bulova watches and cost just $9.
TV used to be live onlyIn the early days of TV, there was no way to record programmes. Everything had to be performed live, including dramas and news broadcasts.
Colour TV took decades to become popularAlthough colour TV was introduced in the 1950s, it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became widespread because of the high cost of colour TVs.
Most-watched TV eventThe 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony holds the record for the most-watched event, with an estimated 3 billion viewers worldwide.
First TV remote controlThe first remote control, called the “Lazy Bones”, was introduced in 1950 by Zenith. It was connected to the TV by a long cable.
TV nearly didn’t happenThe invention of the television was delayed because many believed the radio was already enough for mass communication.
TV can be addictiveA study shows that binge-watching triggers a dopamine release, similar to what happens during eating or exercise, which can create a habit.
Longest-running TV showThe American show ‘Meet the Press’ holds the title for the longest-running program, debuting in 1947 and still airing today.
Black-and-white TV still existsIt can be hard to believe but there are still people in some parts of the world who use black-and-white televisions. In the UK, as of 2021, around 7,000 households still had TV licences for them.
TV was once seen as dangerousIn the 1960s and ’70s, there was widespread concern that sitting too close to the TV could damage your eyes due to radiation, a theory that has since been debunked.