
Journey of Communication Technology - Broadcasting Age (1900s–1950s) – The Rise of Mass Communication
The early 20th century saw a radical shift in communication with the birth of radio and television broadcasting. Unlike earlier one-to-one methods (telegraph, telephone), broadcasting introduced one-to-many communication, allowing information and entertainment to reach millions simultaneously.
π‘ 4.1 Radio Broadcasting
πΉ Key Milestones
1895: Guglielmo Marconi sends first wireless signal
1920: First commercial radio station – KDKA, Pittsburgh (USA)
1927: BBC begins radio service in the UK
1936: All India Radio (AIR) officially established in India
π» Features
Technology: AM (Amplitude Modulation), later FM (Frequency Modulation)
Reach: Could cover vast distances without wires
Content: News, music, propaganda, weather, sports
π In India
1923–1927: Private stations begin (Bombay, Madras)
1936: AIR created and nationalized
1947: AIR becomes a key voice during India’s independence and partition
πΊ 4.2 Television Broadcasting
πΉ Key Milestones
1927: First television transmission (USA)
1930s: BBC launches experimental broadcasts
1940s: Commercial TV spreads across Europe & North America
1959: Doordarshan begins test TV transmissions in India
πΊ Features
Technology: Black-and-white analog signals
Content: Educational programs, cultural shows, state announcements
Impact: Created a visual connection between state and society
π° 4.3 The Role of Print During Broadcasting Era
Newspapers and magazines flourished
Wire services (like Reuters, AP, PTI) used telegraphs to send news across the globe
Newspapers competed with radio for breaking news but were more analytical and visual
π£ 4.4 Communication During World Wars
WWI & WWII: Governments used radio propaganda, coded transmissions, and shortwave broadcasts
ENIGMA and codebreaking: Early signs of encrypted machine communication
Public morale & announcements delivered directly into homes via radio
π 4.5 Public Impact
Domain |
Role
of Broadcasting |
Politics |
Leaders
reached the masses directly (e.g., Churchill, Nehru) |
Culture |
Spread
of music, regional identity, and folklore |
Education |
Literacy
& civic awareness via AIR programs |
Emergencies |
Instant
weather alerts, war updates |
India Highlights
Year |
Event |
1936 |
All
India Radio (AIR) launched |
1947 |
AIR
announces Indian independence |
1959 |
Door
Darshan begins TV broadcast |
1965 |
Daily
TV news starts in India (experimental) |
π§ Summary
Broadcasting transformed communication from private to public.
It became a powerful tool for nation-building, mass education, and entertainment.
Paved the way for the information explosion of the digital age.
Doordarshan
Doordarshan began its experimental television transmission in India on September 15, 1959, in Delhi. This initial broadcast was a modest experiment in public service telecasting, using a makeshift studio and a small transmitter. The first transmission was a half-hour program broadcast three days a week.
https://youtu.be/P5XLLCnsJ04
https://youtu.be/P5XLLCnsJ04?t=40
Here's a more detailed look:
Early Stages:
The initial setup included a small transmitter and a makeshift studio.
Limited Scope:
The first broadcast was only half an hour long, three days a week.
Early Programs:
The first news bulletin, which was five minutes long, was read by Pratima Puri.
Regular Service:
A daily one-hour service with a news bulletin was started in 1965.
Expansion:
Doordarshan's reach expanded to Mumbai and Amritsar in 1972, and to seven more cities by 1975.
Separation from Radio:
In 1976, Doordarshan became a separate department within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, though it was still serviced by All India Radio for news.
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