• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) to Flat Screens: Early televisions used cathode ray tube (CRT) technology, which involved a large, bulky tube for displaying images. While CRTs were the norm for several decades, they were eventually replaced by flat-screen TVs using liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, and light-emitting diode (LED) technologies. These advances made TVs slimmer, lighter, and capable of producing much higher-resolution images.

• High-Definition Television (HDTV): HDTV, introduced in the late 1990s and early 2000s, marked another leap forward in picture quality. Offering resolutions up to 1080p (1920x1080 pixels), HDTV provided clearer, sharper images and was particularly impactful for sports, nature documentaries, and movies.

• 4K and 8K Ultra HD: Following HDTV, the next generation of televisions focused on even higher resolutions. 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160 pixels) has become the standard for most modern TVs, offering four times the resolution of HD. 8K TVs (7680x4320 pixels), though still emerging, promise an even more detailed and immersive experience, though content available in 8K is currently limited.

• OLED and QLED Displays: New display technologies such as OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) and QLED (Quantum Dot LED) have taken picture quality to new heights. OLED screens offer deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast ratios by lighting each pixel individually, while QLED displays use quantum dots to enhance brightness and color accuracy.

• Smart TVs: The most significant transformation in recent years has been the rise of smart TVs, which integrate internet connectivity and applications directly into the television. With built-in Wi-Fi and operating systems, smart TVs allow users to stream content from services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, browse the web, and interact with various smart home devices.

4. The Rise of Streaming Services

In the past, television content was delivered primarily through broadcast signals and cable or satellite services. However, the advent of streaming services in the late 2000s revolutionized the way people consume television content.

• Netflix and the Streaming Boom: Netflix, originally a DVD rental service, transitioned into streaming content in 2007. This marked the beginning of a shift away from traditional TV schedules and toward on-demand viewing. Other services like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ quickly followed, offering vast libraries of shows, movies, and exclusive content.