Tuesday August 5, 2008
Why we watch so much television today is a question that will have many and multi-faceted answers. But in his book Media Unlimited, Todd Giltin offers solid statistical evidence for at least one of the answers. Here is a small table outlining the cost for a general laborer to enjoy the entertainment of that day, given as a proportion of his daily wage.
| 18th century (theater) | More than a full day’s wage |
| Early 19th century (theater) | 1/3 |
| 1840s-50s | A little less than 1/3 (25¢) |
| 1870 (minstrel, variety shows) | 1/6 (still 25¢) |
| 1880s (melodrama, vaudeville) | 1/13 (10¢) |
| 1910 (nickelodeon) | 1/40 (10¢) |
| 1920 (movie theater) | less than 1/40 (10¢) |
| 1960s (television) | 1/360 (amortizing cost of $200 black-and-white set) |
| 1998 (cable television) | 1/100 (amortizing cost of $300 color set plus basic cable |
I guess this help explains the fact that the average American currently watches in excess of four hours per day!
Comments (8) »
1. Nathan W. Bingham
August 5, 2008
5:46 PM
You are definitely well read Tim. :)
Thanks for some very interesting statistics. They are eye opening to say the least, and will also make for some great general trivia knowledge.
2. Andrew Moody
August 5, 2008
6:57 PM
We canceled our satellite TV last week. This is the first time in my life that I have not had regular television access. I was wondering how it would go, how would our 5 kids handle it?
Well, it’s been great. No withdrawals or anything. We have more family time in the evening. I’m more productive in getting things done around the house, and we’re reading more.
3. Bruce
August 5, 2008
7:41 PM
So, the more TV I watch, the better deal it becomes? And I’ve never paid for cable; and now that I think of it, I’ve never paid for a TV. So, I am getting hours and hours and hours of completely free entertainment. That’s assuming, of course, I don’t count the cost to my diminished brain capacity.
How much time did the people of yesteryear spend reading? Books have gotten cheaper, but people read less now, I imagine.
4. Tim
August 5, 2008
8:45 PM
My grandfather was born in 1901.
In 1926 he was 25 years old, married and had two children. He lived in a house with a dirt floor. He drew water from a well and in August he sat outside swatting mosquitoes, wiping his face with a wet rag and fanning his face with a elephant ear leaf until he was so tired he passed out on his straw mattress which he had pulled out onto the porch.
Today, we can sit inside our air conditioned homes and watch a few hours of TV before going to bed.
Before my grandfather passed away, in 1990, I asked him to tell me about the good old days. He said, “There weren’t any.”
I just got home from putting in an eleven hour day of driving a dump truck. I’m thankful for the microwave oven, E-Z boy recliners and my television.
5. GUNNY HARTMAN
August 6, 2008
1:32 AM
What about the big screen plasma with HD & TiVo?!
Kids, back in my day we actually have to put aluminum foil on the rabbit ears to get a signal AND we had to get up and by hand turn a knob that woke up the whole neighborhood when we wanted to change the channel.
;-)
I’d love to see a chronology of movie prices. We took the family about a month ago. I thought I would have to take out a short term loan.
The next day I heard a late 80s rap song (“Bust a Move” by Young MC) where he said, “Movie’s showin’, so you’re goin’. Could care less about the five you’re blowin’.”
Oh yeah, only $5 (US) for a movie back in the day and I remember thinking that was absurd. I guess the difference now is that I can buy the DVD for about the same cost of 1 adult ticket.
Thanks for the research.
6. Tim Ambrose
August 6, 2008
10:16 AM
TV is a tough one, part of me hates it, there’s seldom anything worth watching, Most of whats on I wouldent want on in my house anyway. On top of that I keep having to pay more and more to get and keep the few channels I do actucally watch.
Yet there are times where I’m just mentally and physically drained and laying on the couch and watching a movie is just a nice way to go.
7. David
August 6, 2008
2:10 PM
Gunny, here is a list of ticket prices going back to 1948. They’ve gone up a bit.
8. Aaron
August 7, 2008
5:26 PM
How much TV does the average Canadian watch?