Television changed the culture of the United States and later the world. Americans began buying televisions in the 1950s, and by
the end of the decade, 90% of families owned one. In the early 1960s Newton Minow served as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Later, he was chairman of the board of PBS. He once described television as a “vast wasteland.” He also said, “When television is good, nothing is better. When it's bad, nothing is worse.”
Reflect on this idea as you describe the changes television brought to America during the 1950s, how TV influenced society, and the implications TV would have for the future.
The TV had a huge impact on American society during the 50s. The major reason was that the Republican and Democratic conventions were broadcasted live from Philadelphia to the rest of the country. This increased the importance of TV in society. Now rural America was not isolated anymore, they were a part of society.
Then national tv shows got famous, news, sports, and events were broadcasted. Television allowed America to become one and regional cultural differences were reduced and a general American culture became famous and united the country. People from rural America feel like migrating to another area.
This way TV can be seen as the major point that changed American culture and society.
