Sekundenbotschaften

Sekundenbotschaften, also known as second messages or twitters, are short messages sent or broadcast immediately after an initial message or communication. The term is often used in the context of technical or automated communication, such as in IT or media services.

In the context of German broadcasting, the Sekundenbotschaften were a pivotal concept in the early days of German television. Introduced in the 1950s, these brief messages, lasting about one to three seconds, provided supplemental information to the main broadcast. The messages could be text or images, and were intended to offer additional data to viewers, such as the title of the next program or information about the current broadcast.

The purpose of Sekundenbotschaften was to provide viewers with essential information quickly and discreetly, typically in the form of a short text or image on the screen. This technique allowed for the effective use of short broadcast windows, such as during a radio broadcast or a silent passage in a television program. The technique has been utilized in various media forms, including television, radio, and online platforms, to provide supplementary information to viewers or listeners.

The concept of Sekundenbotschaften has been influential in shaping modern methods of information dissemination and briefly related communication. With the advent of digital technology, the concept has expanded to include various types of short and impressive data exchange, from news headlines to intrusive communication, utilizing multiple and multimodal digital media channels.