“There’s nothing to watch on television.”
Frequently the comment is heard in passing, and obviously that’s not true, but it might often seem that way.
In reality the statement should be, “There’s just isn’t anything on television that I have any interest in watching.”
That can truthfully be said by whoever’s flipping channels from the recliner unable to find programming of personal interest.
Something is always on television nowadays, but that’s not the way it’s always been. Young people today even their parents and perhaps grandparents can’t imagine not having a television.
Yet six decades ago, it was almost unheard of for most households to own a television. They were considered something for rich people and unnecessary expense that could easily be done without by common folk.
However, there was always a thrill of sorts to know someone who owned a TV. It was a special privilege to be asked to their home to watch a certain program.
Those with televisions had a high antenna pole in their yard to get signals through airwaves. Everything was in black and white and typically had lots of static interrupting reception.
Before long though most families thought television was a necessity and got one of their own. That was a special occasion remembered with a big smile many years later.
While only one channel was available in most rural areas, there was “always something to watch.”
Technology advanced as programming became available “in living color,” and everybody just had to have a “color TV.”
All of a sudden one station wasn’t enough to satisfy television audiences. Broadcasting procedures became more modernized and for a large cost several stations were available on the home television.
Even those who were set against paying to have several stations to watch soon had them available free of charge. That made “cable service” companies upset while their dedicated users stopped subscribing and put them out of business.
Just about anything imaginable can readily be viewed simply by changing channels. With all of the modern changes in television which audiences have said they wanted now available, still nobody’s satisfied.
Certain people have decided: “We don’t need or even have a television anymore.” Could be more will follow their way of thinking.
Reminded of Philippians 4:18: “I am amply supplied and don’t need a thing.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XIV–41–10-11-2020
