Das sowjetische Fernsehen - Wichtiges Instrument im "Orchester" der Massenmedien
The Soviet Television - An Important Part Among Soviet Mass Media

Summary/Abstract: Since 1960, Soviet television has been promoted energetically and on an equal basis with the other mass media. Already before the Second World War there were Soviet television broadcasts, but rather of an experimental character. After the war, a television network was built up, without its importance being recognized in the beginning. During that time, its programs were of rather an apolitical character, comparatively speaking. But since i960 television is being supervised by the Party, through the Central Committee as well as through a State Committee, the chairman of which has the rank of a Minister. The present television network comprises roughly 130 stations producing their own programs. About 40 million of television sets of the population are in use. Sample polls have shown that the average Soviet citizen prefers entertainment and sport broadcasts. Television has become an integral part of Soviet everyday life. Its centre, as with other mass media, is Moscow. Recently, apprehensions have been voiced in Soviet official circles that foreign satellite programs could be transmitted directly for Soviet television sets; this would be considered as interfering with Soviet internal affairs.

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