télèvision

Télévision is the system for transmitting moving images and sound for reception at a distance, typically for home viewing. It encompasses the production, distribution, and display of audiovisual content and serves entertainment, news, education, and culture. Modern television relies on electronic image capture and display, digital encoding, and standardized broadcasting or streaming protocols.

Early television emerged in the 1920s with mechanical systems and prototypes. Electronic television, using cathode-ray tubes and image scanning, became dominant in the mid-20th century, enabling sharper images and mass broadcasting. Color television was adopted gradually between the 1950s and 1960s. The industry shifted from analogue to digital formats in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, improving picture quality and enabling compact storage and transmission of large amounts of data.

Television content reaches audiences through multiple delivery methods. Terrestrial broadcasters transmit signals over the air; cable and satellite systems distribute signals through coaxial or orbital links; internet protocol networks enable streaming and on-demand services. Devices such as televisions, set-top boxes, and streaming devices render content on displays ranging from CRTs to modern flat panels, with technologies like LCD, LED, OLED, and HDR. Standards for picture and sound, including frame rates and color encoding, have evolved alongside compression and transmission methods.

Today, television continues to be a major medium for news, fiction, documentary, sports, and education. The rise of streaming platforms has reshaped consumption patterns, often emphasizing on-demand access and global reach, while traditional broadcasters adapt through hybrid and online services. Regulation, intellectual property, and technical interoperability remain important considerations for producers, distributors, and consumers.