It’s hard to imagine a world without television. How did people entertain themselves before the 24/7 news cycle? Well, it’s only been a few decades since television became ubiquitous.
In 1948, four television networks began broadcasting a full prime-time schedule seven days a week. Popular shows include The Ed Sullivan Show, Candid Camera and Howdy Doody.
Although television reigned supreme for most of the 20th century, the tide began to turn in the 21st century. Americans now spend more time on their phones than watching television.
In the 2000s, YouTube launched and was purchased by Google for $1.65 billion. In 2007, Netflix launched. One year later, Hulu was founded. By 2015, almost 9 in 10 consumers used a second screen device while watching television.
Fast-forward to present day. Top television shows include NFL Sunday Night Football, The Big Bang Theory and NCIS. Streaming is a popular way for 19-to-25-year-olds to watch television, and only 29 percent say they watch live TV.
Television has been a cultural fixture for nearly a century, but it’s clear that streaming is starting to take over. Click here to find out more about the history and future of television.