CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND Of THE STUDY
Communication to a great extent Is very important in the existence of man. Every thing that man do to survive in life requires communication.
This idea has lead to the development of various devices to enhance communication and information flow in the world, which television was one of them. Its viewing also became necessary as the events occurring in the society were been televised through the television set. Television viewing is the exposure of Individuals to the programmes of television in order to be aware of the things happening in the society for information improvement.
Adult and children are involved In television viewing but the people that formed the basis of discussion In this study are the children.
The global history of television shows that this mass
medium came Into existence in the 1920s, though its beginnings were discernible in the nineteenth century.
As Amafili (1993:18), points out, television developed from the combination of firm and radio.
The development of modern television began with the invention of the iconoscope and kinescope. These devices were the basis for television transmission and reception respectively, and were invented in 1923 by a Russian immigrant in the United states of American, named Vladimir Zworykin.
The iconoscope tube used electrons to detect and transmit pictures instantly, its invention transformed television into an electric medium. Before this time, television technology depend mechanical reproduction of visual images.
In Nigeria unlike radio, television broadcasting started from the regional rather than the federal government.
This was as result of the urge by the various regions to develop television as much emphasis was laid on the central development of the medium.
This scenario was in line with the political realities of that era. As Okenwa (1993: 55) argues, the polities of Nigeria before independence place more emphasis on the development of the region more than the centre. The first television station was established in 1959. This was followed by the Eastern Nigeria television (ENlV) which came into existence in 1960 and the radio television kaduna (RTK) established In 1962 as an arm of the broadcasting cooperation of Northern Nigeria. Another television station that started in 1962 was NBC-TV known as Nigeria broadcasting services channels 10.
It started broadcasting in a small wooden studio until 1963 when its permanent television house with studio and offices was opened in 1975.
It acquired Its own colour equipment and was sending out signals to the delight of its viewers.
Through govemment Initiatives in 1977 the Nigerian television Authority was created to handle television broadcasting in the country. It was given exclusive right over television broadcasting in Nigeria. Later the 1979, constitution broke the monopoly so that states which wish to operate television stations could do so. This right of ownership was later extended to private indiViduals, resulting in the granting of licenses to private individuals and organizations by the general Ibrahim Babangida Military government in 1993. As is the case with radio broadcasting, this development revolutionalised television broadcasting in modern Nigeria.
In considering the advantages of television, It has the power of combining sound with vision qualities to make “one of the most powerful communication forces In the history of civilization” (sandman et al; 1976).
Amafili (1993: 18), is correct when he says that most striking characteristics of television is the speed with which it disseminates information.
Television messages came in the form of programmes.
Among the programmes are news, musical variety show, entertainment, dramatic programmes, comedy shows, documentary programmes etc.
The survey research method was employed in this research work. The purpose of using this method was for adequate data generation.
The result when actualized will go a long way gUiding the parents to checkmate the rate at which their children are been exposed to television either to encourage them to watch more or to discourage them from excessive watching.
The researcher used agenda setting theory in the study.