subject: From Black and White to Satellite TV for Family Audiences [print this page] Marketing and advertising campaigns must take into account their target audiences. They must provide a service or product that the target audience will see the value in by purchasing. Advertising is a big part of how to get the product out there, but it also must hold some substance. The family unit is one of the biggest target markets for any product or service. It not only incorporates one user, but multiple. Services such as television and cell phones often provide packages that are geared toward the family unit. Satellite television is one of these such services, and it provides one of the most affordable packages available for television.
Since the days of I Love Lucy' and Lassie', television has been a huge part of the family unit. Far from the days of high definition, back when television first came around, the family audience was just about television's only audience. In the days of black and white, the family would come together every evening to watch the one or two programs offered that night. Then came the days of colored television and multiple networks and television shows were added on. However, there was still typically only one television in the house, so the family just had to vote and choose which program they would like to watch. There was always an available family show', whether it be The Brady Bunch' in the 1970s or The Cosby Show' during the 80s.
The 1980s brought the American audience MTV' and with it an entirely different generation of television viewing. MTV brought with it a completely new revolution of watching television for the family unit; it brought with it the first definite divide amongst family audiences. Parents could not stand the likes of MTV, with its music videos and young atmosphere. MTV was created for the younger generation, and that who was watching it on a daily basis. In order for parents and children to watch what the wanted to on the television, family had to start buying additional televisions. Mom could watch her soap operas, dad could watch his sports, and the kids were free to watch their programming.
The 1990s brought even more to offer with basic television, as cable networking grew in popularity and cost efficiency. More families were able to afford such cable programs that included MTV', Nickelodeon, and HBO. However, cable television still was restricted, as it was only distributed to families and households within the cable companies domain. Families and households located far away from major cities or out in the country were unable to get connected to basic cable programming. This is when satellite television got its big start. Satellite brought cable networks to people located in areas outside of cable companies.
Over the past 60 years of television, programs, networking, shows, and the technology of viewing television has changed, but one factor has always remained consistent. The family unit is still one of television's most important target audiences. Continually, cable companies are finding new and improved ways to market the family unit, whether it is providing more shows and networks that are educational and kid friendly, or providing an increased amount of security for parents prohibiting certain television networks. Satellite television companies provide families with extremely affordable packages that include channels that are educational as well as entertaining, networks that bring shows the whole family can enjoy.
From Black and White to Satellite TV for Family Audiences
