World Television Day 2025; November 21st.

FORUM:"TV is changing. Its power remains."  World TV Day 2025. TV’s role as an essential element supporting democracy is largely made possible by advertising as a source of funding. Advertising allows media to remain independent and free of political influence. From families gathering around a single screen to witness historic moments and major sporting events, to today’s on-the-go world where news can be streamed on a smartphone during a morning commute, television has transformed into a truly multiplatform experience.

Key messages of this year’s campaign include:

Adapting to modern life: Television now lives on every screen, from the largest living room displays to mobile devices and laptops, meeting viewers wherever they are, whenever they want to watch.
Innovation with purpose: While platforms and technology evolve, the role of TV as a source of trusted news, inspiring stories, and cultural milestones remains unchanged.
A trusted and reliable source: Even in our hyper-connected, content-saturated age, TV remains one of the most reliable and credible sources of information, upheld by strong editorial standards.
A cultural meeting ground: TV continues to unite people through shared moments, fostering conversation, understanding, and cultural experiences across diverse audiences. Teaching about the past, present and future of our world.
Should we rely today on public service TV for trusted news, entertainment, education, and more. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Television, #Tvbroadcasting, #WorldTVDay, #21November, #qualityContent, #PayTV , #OTT, #IPTV, #broadband, #androidtv.

EVENT: On November 21st, The ACT (Association of Commercial Television), the egta (Association of TV and radio sales houses), the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and the Global TV Group join forces to promote the power of TV widely across the globe on World TV Day 2025. A new world is about to be discovered, be the first to see it in action. Register to participate!

The egta, ACT and The Global TV Group release a special TV spot to illustrate the strengths of TV - the medium that is watched and loved by billions of people around the world. Watch the TV spot!

On February 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA; The Future of Television Conference Returns; Join Industry Leaders to Explore What’s Next in Streaming, Tech, and Media Innovation.  Early Bird Purchase tickets now.

World Television Day 2023; November 21st.

FORUM: “Transforming the world of television.” World Television Day 2023. The role of television is rapidly evolving in the digital age, but to varying degrees in different parts of the world. TV informs viewers through in-depth news broadcasts, makes them aware of current societal issues and provides learning through quality children’s programming or insightful documentaries. As technologies grows more sophiticated, what might the future hold for the television industry? Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #Television, #Tvbroadcasting, #WorldTVDay, #21November, #qualityContent, #PayTV , #OTT, #IPTV, #broadband, #androidtv.

EVENTS: On November 21st, the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Department of Global Communications of the Secretariat of the United Nations .and the UN Multimedia Department will hold a webinar to mark the World Television Day 2023 from the UNHQ. The award-winning series 21st CENTURY and UN IN ACTION are broadcast in multiple languages across TV stations and online platforms worldwide, reaching hundreds of millions viewers each month.

First-ever AI Summit at CERN in Geneva!

Industry leaders and expert speakers from across our Members will come together to discuss the opportunities and challenges for public service media in the age of AI. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to have a transformative impact on the media industry and the EBU is providing a one-stop shop to help public service media navigate developments in this space. The first AI Summit will bring together decision makers and AI-related stakeholders from across public service media (PSM) to exchange knowledge, build alignment and explore ways to embrace the opportunities as well as face the challenges presented by AI. This exclusive one-day conference will provide access to insights and opinions from across the industry and an opportunity to learn from peers. We'll be discussing how we can join forces to move faster and stronger in our response to AI developments whether at a strategic, ethical, legal, content, or technical level.

The AI Summit will take place on 1 December, alongside the EBU’s Winter General Assembly in Geneva. Directors General from our Members and General Assembly delegates will join for the morning session which will focus on the strategic challenges of AI for PSM. The afternoon session will focus on AI expertise and operational matters. Members are welcome to join all or only part of the programme, according to their particular interests. 

Who is the event for?

• EBU Member DGs and/or delegates at the EBU General Assembly
• Heads of AI
• Media, Programme and News Executives exploring the impact of AI in their work
• CTOs
• Platform and Distribution Executives exploring the impact of AI in their work
• Legal & Policy Executives exploring the impact of AI in their work
• Marketing & Communication Executives exploring new PSM narratives and campaigns in response to AI developments

Don't forget to register your spot before 22 November.

WEBINARS: Watch the plenary session entitled ’’Artificial Intelligence and the future of technologies: impact and opportunities ‘. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most controversial technology topics today. While it has tremendous potential in improving work productivity and individual quality of life, there are also concerns of its unintended consequences such as built-in AI bias against diversity. Session speakers will discuss the latest AI trends, its usefulness and how to address the challenges regarding bias, especially on people with disabilities in the world of work.

Each year, a short clip is created by egta, ACT and The Global TV Group to promote the power of television. The three associations are asking their members (broadcasters all over Europe) to show this clip on TV on the 21st of November, to celebrate television. 

In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed November 21 as World Television Day, “in recognition of the increasing impact television has on decision-making by alerting world attention to conflicts and threats to peace and security and its potential role in sharpening the focus on other major issues, including economic and social issues.” egta, ACT & The Global TV Group 2023 

AWARDS: ITU receives Emmy Award for HDR-TV – and transforming the world of television. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has once again taken centre stage in the world of television technology with the third Emmy Award for the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU‑R). HDR-TV’s success is a result of experimentation, demonstration, technical collaboration and the sheer determination of the members of ITU‑R Study Group 6, which prepares international standards for radiocommunication broadcasting services, including vision, sound, multimedia and data services principally intended for delivery to the general public.

UNITED NATIONS TELEVISION

UN Web TV is the organization’s official streaming video platform for live and on-demand coverage of United Nations meetings and events. It provides the opportunity to a global audience to watch, directly from the source, uninterrupted coverage of meetings of the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, Human Rights Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ) trials, Press briefings, Media Stakeouts, UN Conferences and Special events. In addition, UN Web TV makes available news and feature videos, Secretary-General’s and other UN Official’s video messages as well as promotional and other videos produced by the UN system. UN Web TV promotes the Organization’s core value of transparency.

Viewers are able to watch live and on-demand streaming coverage from anywhere and at any time, in multiple languages (where interpretation is available) and on multiple devices, including mobile phones. The coverage is available through the Web (webtv.un.org) and Social Media platforms, including Facebook (UNWebTV), Twitter (@UNWebTV) and YouTube (youtube.com/unitednations).

Currently, UN Web TV covers meetings and events held at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ) in New York, the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), as well as from United Nations conferences held at any location worldwide. UN Web TV is planning to include other United Nations Offices and Agencies on the global platform.

Subscribe to UN Web TV to receive the daily live schedule.

For further inquiries or to request live streaming coverage of a side event please contact: webcast@un.org

21 November as World Television Day

In December 1996 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 November as World Television Day commemorating the date on which the first World Television Forum was held in 1996.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 November as World Television Day (through resolution 51/205 of 17 December 1996). This was done in recognition of the increasing impact television has on decision-making by alerting world attention to conflicts and threats to peace and security and its potential role in sharpening the focus on other major issues, including economic and social issues.

On 21 and 22 November 1996 the United Nations held the first World Television Forum, where leading media figures met under the auspices of the United Nations to discuss the growing significance of television in today's changing world and to consider how they might enhance their mutual cooperation. That is why the General Assembly decided to proclaim 21 November as World Television Day - to commemorate the date on which the first World Television Forum was held.

The celebration highlights how communications have become one of today's central international issues, not only for their relevance to the world economy, but also for their implications for social and cultural development. The celebration also underlines the ever-increasing demands faced by the United Nations to address the major issues facing humankind - and that television - as one of today's most powerful communications media, could play a role in presenting these issues to the world.

Past Statements

"Television can be a tremendous force for good. It can educate great numbers of people about the world around them. It can show us how much we have in common with our neighbours, near and far. And, it can shed light on the dark corners, where ignorance and hatred fester. The television industry is also in a unique position to promote mutual understanding and tolerance -– with content that tells the stories not just about the powerful, but about the powerless, and not just about life in the world’s richest pockets, but also in the developing countries that are home to the majority of the world’s population."

Secretary-General Kofi Annan
World Television Day message
21 November 2003
(SG/SM/9007 OBV/392)

"Recognizing its power, public television has a vital role in guaranteeing access for all people to information on their own cultures and on global events. It is certainly indispensable for the proper functioning of genuine democracies. Television is a decisive factor in globalization. It supports cultural diversity and helps to establish freedom of information."

H.E. Mr. Jan Kavan
President of the Fifty-seventh Session of the General Assembly
World Television Day message
21 November 2002
(Full text of message )

"Television, as the world’s most powerful medium of communication, has a key role to play as these changes deepen and spread further still."

Secretary-General Kofi Annan
World Television Day message
21 November 2002
(SG/SM/9007 OBV/392)

"Television can help the world to better understand the United Nations -- to understand that it is their United Nations: theirs to improve, theirs to engage, theirs to embrace. As we enter a new millennium, I look forward to working closely with the world's television professionals in pursuit of global peace and development."

Secretary-General Kofi Annan
World Television Day message
21 November 1999
(SG/SM/9007 OBV/392)

Documents

General Assembly resolutions related to television

• Proclamation of 21 November as World Television Day : resolution adopted by the General Assembly.
  (A/RES/51/205, 28 February 1997)
• Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites for international direct television Broadcasting.
  (A/RES/2917 (XXVII), 1983)
• Preparation of international instruments or United Nations arrangements on principles governing the use by States of artificial earth satellites for direct television broadcasting.
  (A/RES/2917 (XXVII), 1973)
• Preparation of an international convention on principles governing the use by States of artificial earth satellites for direct television broadcasting.
  (A/RES/2916 (XXVII), 1973)
  

Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly

Questions relating to information

• A/RES/63/100A-B, (18 December 2008)
• A/RES/62/111A-B, (10 January 2008)
• A/RES/60/109A-B, (18 January 2006)
• A/RES/59/126A-B, (25 January 2005)
• A/RES/58/101A-B, (17 December 2003)
• More on Questions Relating to Information

Related Documents

• Reports of the Committee on Information
  
  
• Reports of the Secretary General on the Activities of Department of Public Information
  
  
  • A/AC.198/2009/4, 23 February 2009
  • A/AC.198/2009/3, 23 February 2009
  • A/AC.198/2009/2, 23 February 2009
  • A/AC.198/2008/3, 19 February 2008
  • A/AC.198/2008/2, 19 February 2008
  • A/AC.198/2007/4, 23 February 2007
  • A/AC.198/2006/5, 9 February 2006
    
    
  • More Reports on the Activities of Department of Public Information