Functions of television.
Today television has got its own look, lexis, manner of broadcast. The new genres have appeared such as reality-shows, musical videos, soap operas, commercials and interactive shows. It is popular everywhere among all people. But why?
First of all, it is connected with the possibility of broadcast to every part of the world with the help of satellites, which is a very important technical achievement. Besides, the audio and visual effects provoke the sensation of participation in the events that take place on the screen. Besides during the live broadcast, the viewer feels himself a participant, and makes the broadcasting more realistic and vivid.
But along with globalization television faced some problems as, for example, the satisfaction not only of the individual needs but also of needs of the whole society. To solve this problem, it combined various functions.
Informative function. Nowadays humanity doesn't imagine its life without every-day political, social, economic and cultural news with analysis and statistics. It helps to form opinion on this or that topic. You can hardly find the channel that doesn't have its own News programme. Documentary films and cultural programmes add some useful information playing the informative role in the life of society.
Management or social function.In the majority of countries government introduces and popularizes its politics by means of television. Besides, a great number of private channels, which may belong to some political parties, religious or commercial groups, popularize their own politics. Television offers audio and visual perception that is very important to realize this function, because 90 % of information a person receives threw visual contact.
Educative function. Educational films and programmes are useful for scientists, pupils and students. They are especially good for children, because teach them in a funny, colourful and attractive way. Besides thess educative shows and competitions raise the cultural and intellectual level of people. They also help to organize the time and to spend it. It keeps the attention of pupils and provides them with the desire to study.
The entertaining function. With the help of television people can see at a distance and the far away countries, disasters or catastrophes. They can watch some very interesting TV shows that correspond to their interests. Television is the best way to relax after a hard day, because you don't have to go anywhere but only sit on your comfortable sofa or an armchair and enjoy your favourite TV show or soap opera or an interesting film.
It is very difficult to say what function has this or that programme. In the majority of cases all of them are integrated to make people watch TV. Because the larger is the audience, the bigger are their profits.