A 1950s television.
Television or TV was a colloquial term for a form of entertainment medium consisting of live action two-dimensional visual images, with sound to be 'watched' by the 'viewer' via a display module which translated broadcast signals into viewable images known as video. Most information was broadcasted by way of a format known as 'shows' or 'broadcasts'. Television shows were typically supported or subsidized by commercials. (TOS: "Bread and Circuses")
History
20th century
On Earth, television was invented by Philo T. Farnsworth in the mid-20th century, it slowly became a popular form of entertainment during the 1950s, especially for its news broadcasts. (DS9: "Far Beyond the Stars")
When a Vulcan survey vessel was stranded on Earth in 1957 and 1958, the survivors became enthralled in the technology, and a form of cuisine that was associated with television, known as TV dinners. (ENT: "Carbon Creek")
While living in a holodeck recreation of 1962, following the loss of his leg, Nog spent many hours watching television, including several movies, in the hotel room of Vic Fontaine. (DS9: "It's Only a Paper Moon")
When the USS Voyager traveled back in time to 1996, Neelix and Kes enjoyed watching Earth television shows, particularly soap operas. (VOY: "Future's End, Part I")
21st century
During the 2020s, the multi-function Interface slowly began to replace the television, as it combined broadcast television, e-mail and access to the Net. (DS9: "Past Tense, Part I & Part II")
Television as a form of entertainment did not last long after 2040. (TNG: "The Neutral Zone")
- Presumably it was superceded by the Interface, which would eventually evolve into the commonly used communication and computer monitor found throughout the Federation, in homes, on starships and beyond. It is also speculated by some that the Interface would replace the television in real life.
- At the same time in the 2000s, presumably High-definition and Widescreen television were introduced.
Television in the future
By the 23rd century television was referred to as an antiquated form of entertainment. Uhura was somewhat familiar with the form, however mistakenly referred to it as 'video', when the crew of the USS Enterprise encountered the form on planet 892-IV in 2367. (TOS: "Bread and Circuses")
During the 24th century the term was mostly unknown to those who did not revel in 20th century nostalgia.
William Riker was unfamiliar with the slang term 'boob tube' when L.Q. Clemonds wanted to watch a baseball game on the ship's monitor. (TNG: "The Neutral Zone")
In 2372, Neelix began his own television-style broadcast aboard the USS Voyager, which featured news, educational material and entertainment. (VOY: "Investigations", "Macrocosm")
The 2372 holosuite program, Julian Bashir, Secret Agent featured many artifacts of 1960s Earth nostalgia, including the television. (DS9: "Our Man Bashir") As did the 2374 holosuite program Bashir 62. (DS9: It's Only a Paper Moon")
In 2376, B'Elanna Torres gave Tom Paris a television as a gift, including a remote control. (VOY: "Memorial") Tom often enjoyed watching cartoons and hockey on it. ("Workforce, Part II")
TV shows
- A Briefing with Neelix (also known as: Good Morning, Voyager)
- I Love Lucy
- Mission: Impossible
- Name the Winner!
- The Three Stooges
- The Twilight Zone