Television timeline

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Television - a timeline

1946: Television quickly becomes a part of American life starting around 1946. One year before, there were fewer than 10,000 TV sets. By 1950, there are 6 million. By 1960, there will be almost 60 million.

1953: NBC transmits the New Year's Day Tournament of Roses Parade in color in 1953, but it is not until 1966 that the three networks broadcast all their prime time programs in color. In 1972, only half the households in the U.S. have a color television.

1975: Sony's Betamax, a VCR (video cassette recorder) selling for $1300, is introduced to the home market in 1975. VHS decks, which make their debut in 1977, eventually dominate the home VCR market.

The very first TV sets looked rather different to those you see today!

But what about New Zealand?

Television was introduced to New Zealand by the Broadcasting Service, a department of government.

The first station was established in Auckland in 1961. Other stations were later formed in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Then they all joined together to become TV ONE.

Colour television was introduced in 1973 and the second channel (now known as TV2) commenced transmission in 1975.

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	1946: Television quickly becomes a part of American life starting around 1946. One year before, there were fewer than 10,000 TV sets. By 1950, there are 6 million. By 1960, there will be almost 60 million.
	1953: NBC transmits the New Year's Day Tournament of Roses Parade in color in 1953, but it is not until 1966 that the three networks broadcast all their prime time programs in color. In 1972, only half the households in the U.S. have a color television.
	1975: Sony's Betamax, a VCR (video cassette recorder) selling for $1300, is introduced to the home market in 1975. VHS decks, which make their debut in 1977, eventually dominate the home VCR market.


The very first TV sets looked rather different to those you see today!
But what about New Zealand? Television was introduced to New Zealand by the Broadcasting Service, a department of government. The first station was established in Auckland in 1961. Other stations were later formed in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Then they all joined together to become TV ONE. Colour television was introduced in 1973 and the second channel (now known as TV2) commenced transmission in 1975.