Growth Points with Dr. Mc

Eighty-three Years of TV

On Your Mark — The first flickering images hit the airwaves on April 30, 1939. President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a short speech declaring open the New York World’s Fair. It was the first public broadcast of an electronic medium called television.

Roosevelt’s speech was aired by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). Fewer than 100 sets of the new “picture radio” had been sold. Now, over 122 million televisions exist in the USA. The original screens ranged from 5 to 12 inches, a far cry from the big screen televisions hanging on walls today.

Get Set — In the 82 years since its formal debut, television has emerged as one of the primary entertainment mediums, chronicler of history, wellspring of popular culture, major force for political and social change, coercive commercial vehicle, and powerful spreader of information. The following are a few ways it has impacted people’s expectations and views.

Desire for immediate satisfaction — Products are sold, complex issues are solved, and victory is won in 30 minutes on TV. People expect life to give the same immediate results. The ideas of delayed gratification and a process of spiritual growth are not well accepted. People want patience, and they want it now!

Increased boredom — TV gives the impression that life moves at a faster pace, which has produced boredom. People subconsciously compare the real world with the fast paced action-oriented pulse beat of a TV series.

Consumer mentality — Spending on TV advertising soared from $171 million in 1950 to over 66 Billion in 2020. North Americans are conditioned to buy what they can and charge what they can’t.

Short attention spans — TV chase scenes and rapidly changing action shots have created a climate where people tend to concentrate for only about 30 seconds.

Multiple story lines — TV often weaves two or three story lines into a 30 to 60 minute episode. We no longer live in sequential world. People carry on multiple activities at one time.

In-n-out mentality — TV has taught we can step into an episode and it will stand alone. Even shows that offer continuing story-lines from week-to-week have weekly stories that can stand alone.

Concern for causes — The word “dramady” names a new mix of comedy and drama which addressee topics like AIDS, drugs, downs syndrome, and sex. TV faces difficult issues and tries to provide answers.

Grow — What does this mean for church ministry today? How have these influences impacted your ministry? In what ways are you adjusting to meet these challenges?

-Gary L. McIntosh, Ph.D.
Author of The Ten Key Roles of a Pastor

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