Expanding Diversity in American Television

In the US, the average American bought their firstin shows such as All in the Family. By the 90's, shows
TV set and began to experience televisionwith African Americans in lead roles and in positions
entertainment via antennae in the 1950's. Cableof authority were becoming established. Bill Cosby as
followed soon thereafter for those in rural areas whothe successful obstetrician and ideal father was
had no reception and gradually expanded over themarried to a successful lawyer, Felicia Rashad while
next 40 years. Comedies, westerns, and later varietyOprah Winfrey acted, directed, and began to take
and spy shows filled the airwaves. Shows in theover the world of talk shows. The types of
1950's were mostly conservative, representing anprogramming had changed over the years as well.
ideal average American family which was "nuclear",Dramas, investigative news programs, sports, and
complete with mom, dad, and the kids. An occasionalreality based shows were gaining popularity.A major
minority had a supporting role and the lifestyles werestep in diversification was the emergence of niche
generally middle class with a stay-at-home mom.programming. From MTV directed toward the
This ideal-based programming is part of the charmyounger, male audience, to ESPN, Fox Sports for
of 1950's television for many people.In the 1960's, thismen, and Lifetime cable network for women (just to
began to change as representation of Africanname a few) the trend to recognize a wider audience
Americans began to increase and roles became morewas marching forward. Today, the representation of
substantive; Bill Cosby's starring role in I Spy beingmany minority groups on American television remains
one example. Women's presence in TV also increasedsmall for the population and representation of all
and started to stray away from the typicalgroups remains somewhat inaccurate or restricted
housewife. By the 60's and 70's, women had farbut strides continue. Channels specific to the gay
more leading roles such as in Bewitched and I Dreamlesbian population and to Asian Americans are
of Jeannie. The Mary Tyler Moore show was anexamples that demonstrate recognition of our
example of the emergence of the single, capable,diverse population.With satellite, television has been
working woman as an acceptable figure on television.able to branch out and become even more global
In the 70's and 80's, social issues and differenthowever. Dish Network, as an example, now offers
lifestyles began to penetrate television programming.110 International Channels in over 25 languages.
Divorce and single motherhood was presented inAfrican, Arabic, South Asian, and Russian
shows such as One Day at a Time. Women, andprogramming are just a few examples. They also
occasionally minorities, began to be shown in positionsoffer Latino packages and a Great Wall package
of power. Issues such as homosexuality and abortiondirected toward the Chinese market. Increasingly,
began to be discussed. From Cagney and Lacey tosatellites allow us to listen in to radio and television
Murphy Brown, some women began to have aprogramming from around the world allowing
purpose beyond their beauty. Even age barrierstelevision to continue it's evolution as a diversified and
began to fall as shows such as The Golden Girlsglobal media.
became popular. Inter-racial issues were more evident