Monday, June 23, 2025

Journey of Communication Technology - Broadcasting Age (1900s–1950s) – The Rise of Mass Communication


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.

πŸ“‘ 4.1 Radio Broadcasting

πŸ”Ή 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

πŸ“» Features

Technology: AM (Amplitude Modulation), later FM (Frequency Modulation)

Reach: Could cover vast distances without wires

Content: News, music, propaganda, weather, sports

🌍 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

πŸ“Ί 4.2 Television Broadcasting

πŸ”Ή 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

πŸ“Ί Features

Technology: Black-and-white analog signals

Content: Educational programs, cultural shows, state announcements

Impact: Created a visual connection between state and society

πŸ“° 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

πŸ’£ 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

πŸ”Š 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)



🧠 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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