Key Moments in the Evolution of Mass Media

By Estephany08
  • 1440

    The Invention of the Printing Press

    Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, allowing for the mass production of books and newspapers. This was the start of spreading information quickly to a wider audience.

  • Rise of the Penny Press

    Newspapers like The New York Sun began to sell for just a penny, making news affordable and available to a broader audience. This led to the growth of mass media in America.

  • First Radio Broadcast

    The first radio broadcast was made by KDKA in Pittsburgh in 1920. This marked the beginning of radio as a mass medium, bringing news, entertainment, and music into people’s homes.

  • BBC Starts Regular TV Broadcasting

    In 1936, the BBC began regular television broadcasts, introducing moving images as a new form of mass media. Television quickly became a popular way to consume information and entertainment.

  • First TV Commercial Aired

    The first paid TV commercial aired on NBC in 1941. This marked the beginning of television advertising, which would become a major part of how television made money.

  • First American Newspaper Published

    Publick Occurrences, the first American newspaper, was published in Boston in 1690. Although it was shut down after just one issue, it marked the beginning of printed news in America.

  • Rise of Network TV News

    In the 1960s, programs like CBS Evening News and NBC Nightly News became national staples. Television became the primary source of news for millions of Americans.

  • CNN Launches 24-Hour News Channel

    In 1980, CNN became the first channel to offer 24-hour news coverage. This revolutionized the way people consumed news, allowing them to stay informed at any time of day.

  • The Rise of the Internet

    In the 1990s, the internet changed how people accessed news and information. Websites like Yahoo! and Google made it easy to search and find news online.

  • Birth of Social Media

    In 2004, Facebook was launched, and soon after, other platforms like Twitter and YouTube followed. Social media changed the way news is shared and consumed, with people becoming both viewers and contributors.