
Exhaustive 13-part survey of the television medium from its hesitant beginnings in the 1920s to the multi-million dollar extravaganzas of today and the cable and satellite technologies of the future [relative to 1985]. Tackling the medium as a worldwide phenomenon, the series examines each of the principal areas of programming - news, drama, documentaries, and light entertainment - and the unique impact of "live" coverage.
Air Date: 1985-02-12
A look at the way that TV affects and manipulates viewers.
Air Date: 1985-02-19
Goes back to TV's earliest flickering beginnings, in the first primitive TV camera built by the eccentric Scots inven...
Air Date: 1985-02-26
The development and impact of outside broadcasts and live coverage of news, sport and pageantry. Peter Dimmock, then ...
Air Date: 1985-03-05
Continuing the worldwide history of the medium, this programme moves on to television news, tracing its development f...
Air Date: 1985-03-12
Looks at the awesome ability of on-screen images to evoke a massive public response, as with the pictures of the star...
Air Date: 1985-03-19
From news to fiction as the series moves behind the scenes to look at how some of the most popular drama series are p...
Air Date: 1985-03-26
Considers TV drama and the practical influence, if any, of such controversial landmarks as the BBC's post-war "1984" ...
Air Date: 1985-04-02
After 30 years of recording every human problem, every aspect of the natural world, has the TV documentary run out of...
Air Date: 1985-04-09
Focusing on light entertainment, from variety to quiz and game shows, from chat shows to pop videos, with samples gar...
Air Date: 1985-04-16
An examination of the beneficial effects of television, its help in education, its power to broaden the horizons of i...
Air Date: 1985-04-23
The history and development of television comedy is examined, from its origins in American vaudeville and radio shows...
Air Date: 1985-04-30
The medium's revolutionary effect on the business of electioneering around the world, with politicians being taught h...
Air Date: 1985-04-30
Looks to the medium's future in a satellite and cable world where the viewer may be spoilt for choice in terms of qua...