Apart from children as a specific group, family as a whole has also been under the profound impact of television.

The rich and middle class families rushed to purchase television sets shortly after the medium entered the popular culture. Many lower class people went into debt to own this luxury item which gradually has become the necessity.

Many family activities, which -were cherished earlier, such as after dinner conversations among family members, parents, reading bedtime stories to the children, praying or reading religious books at night were replaced by TV watching.

Television has been reported to be giving a feeling of importance and relaxation from closed environment and monotonous living conditions, male members of the family have started spending more time at home.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

People have shown increase in the knowledge of political, social and economic issues of the country through th e programmes such as talks and discussions.

It has been reported that there was marginal saving on account of TV in comparison to earlier expenditure on entertainment. It did not show any impact on the aged and old in the family except that they found it easy to spend their time.

In case of entertainment, many viewers of TV have expressed that they get more entertainment and great satisfaction of its utility by watching sports and games on TV rather than sitting in the stadium or viewing film in a theatre.

They enjoy watching film or sports programmes in relaxed, cozy and comfortable way. This affected the film industry and it did face serious challenge in eighties due to decrease in revenue. It is trying to face the challenge competently by excelling in technical aspect and its music and sound system.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Advertisements on TV have helped people to make their choice and selection of goods of household use. It has boosted consumerism among the people and raised aspirations of the people and their standard of living. It has resulted into westernized life style and widened the gap between information rich and the information poor.

Socially, it has been observed and reported that the frequency of visits to relatives and friends which helped in maintaining affectionate and intimate social relationships have been considerably reduced after the television invasion of homes.

A study by Trivedi (1991) showed that religious activities of the families were disturbed due to TV. Religious serials and programmes on TV were looked upon by people as adding sanctity to their house.