United Nations (UN’s) World Television Day (WTD) is annually observed across the globe on November 21 to acknowledge the significant role and impact of television in our daily lives.
- The day celebrates television as a symbol of communication and globalization in today’s world.
- 21st November 2024 marks the observance of the 28th WTD.
EVENT 2024:
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) awarded the inaugural “Excellence in Production Technology” Emmy to The Santa Clauses Season Two .This award was presented during the 75th Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards held at the New York City in United States of America on World Television Day, November 21, 2024.
Background:
i.On 17th December 1996, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/51/205 and proclaimed November 21 of every year as World Television Day.
ii.The first ever WTD was observed on 21st November 1997.
Why November 21?
21st November was chosen to commemorate the date on which the 1st World Television Forum was held in 1996.
- The 1st World Television Forum was held on 21st & 22nd November 1996 at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States of America(USA), to discuss the growing significance of television.
Television:
i.The term “television” was first coined by Russian scientist Constantin Perskyi in 1900.
ii.TV was invented by a Scottish engineer, John Logie (JL) Baird, in 1924.
iii.However the first electronic television was demonstrated by Philo Farnsworth in 1927.
Television in India:
i.India, with the assistance of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), began experimental television broadcasts on 15th September 1959 in New Delhi, Delhi.
- In 1959, television broadcasting was under All India Radio (AIR), and later the television service was separated from the AIR as Doordarshan on 1 April 1976.
- Doordarshan is a Public broadcast terrestrial television channel run by Prasar Bharati, a board formed by the Government of India (GoI).
ii.India’s first colour program broadcast was the live telecasts of the 36th Independence Day parade held on August 15, 1982.
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General – Antonio Guterres
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America (USA)
Establishment – 1945
