In most homes, the entire family congregates
before the television to watch serials. Though the PC has carved out a niche
for itself in many homes, it's the television that remains the prime entertainer. As
R. Raghavan of T.Nagar admits, "Though I have a computer, when it's time
for his favourite programmes, my son is in front of the TV set".
Even in the slum areas, a faint glow of the flickering TV screen is always visible. And if every house cannot afford it, one can see the old concept of community viewing resurging in these places. This is the impact of the small screen and it is the medium that continues to be the most spoken and written about.
The irony is that in spite of the proliferation of channels, there is hardly any specific programming done for children and most of what is available is done with market in mind.
An analysis done by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), "Growing up with TV" stresses on the fact that in India, the total number of children's programmes in all channels is not even 5 per cent. If what one hears and reads about an exclusive channel for Indian children, becomes a reality; it would be nothing short of a miracle. For now, the channel "Splash" is making waves, but it is only for those who can understand English and relate to a particular lifestyle. If there are only limited programmes for children and they are still spending a lot of time in front of the television, what are they viewing? How does it affect their behavior?
Are these young viewers able to put things in the right perspective? Do viewing habits vary across the socio-economic society is leading to a big disaster for the upcoming generation or they will make them too dependent like we are on television today is the big question which remains in my mind.
Even in the slum areas, a faint glow of the flickering TV screen is always visible. And if every house cannot afford it, one can see the old concept of community viewing resurging in these places. This is the impact of the small screen and it is the medium that continues to be the most spoken and written about.
The irony is that in spite of the proliferation of channels, there is hardly any specific programming done for children and most of what is available is done with market in mind.
An analysis done by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), "Growing up with TV" stresses on the fact that in India, the total number of children's programmes in all channels is not even 5 per cent. If what one hears and reads about an exclusive channel for Indian children, becomes a reality; it would be nothing short of a miracle. For now, the channel "Splash" is making waves, but it is only for those who can understand English and relate to a particular lifestyle. If there are only limited programmes for children and they are still spending a lot of time in front of the television, what are they viewing? How does it affect their behavior?
Are these young viewers able to put things in the right perspective? Do viewing habits vary across the socio-economic society is leading to a big disaster for the upcoming generation or they will make them too dependent like we are on television today is the big question which remains in my mind.
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