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 2024; November 21st.

FORUM: “TV supports Democracy.” World Television Day 2024. In the 21st century, what is the purpose of a TV? It's not just a one-way channel for broadcast and cable content anymore. Modern televisions offer a wide range of multimedia and interactive content, such as streaming videos, music, and internet browsing. The interaction between emerging and traditional forms of broadcast creates a great opportunity to raise awareness about the important issues facing our communities and our planet. This year’s edition of the TV clip showcases how TV is an essential element supporting democracy. Television delivers a unique combination of 4 elements:

1. TV plays an important civic role in informing citizens about the world around them. It provides the population with vital sources of information, essential for democratic participation in society. TV reinforces media plurality representing a wide range of views and perspectives.
2. TV is a trusted and reliable source of information and is held to high editorial standards (a particularly important element in the current context of increasing misinformation, fake news and lack of transparency).
3. TV is a mass-reach medium offering an easy and democratic access to content and information to the wide population – across all platforms and devices, whoever and wherever audiences
4. The above-mentioned elements are enhanced by TV’s unique nature as an audio-visual medium, i.e. it’s power to create collective viewing experiences, key cultural moments and cross-societal conversations (across all social groups and generations) through compelling storytelling that resonates with wide audiences.

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. 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 and follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Television, #Tvbroadcasting, #WorldTVDay, #21November, #qualityContent, #PayTV , #OTT, #IPTV, #broadband, #androidtv.

EVENTS: On November 21st, from UNHQ in New York will be held a virtual event will be held to mark the World Television Day 2024. The celebration will highlight TV’s essential role in supporting democracy. This year, our 30-second video clip is a powerful reminder of how multiplatform TV delivers verified information, shapes public opinion, and drives social change. Participants will discover the many ways how TV supports Democracy. 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. Celebrate the World Television Day with us, Join the celebration!

Get the latest online event and discover interviews with CEOs of TV companies from around the world in which they highlight the many strengths of this ever-evolving medium!

AWARDS: The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) presented the inaugural “Excellence in Production Technology” Emmy® Award to The Santa Clauses Season Two film. The award was presented as part of the 75th Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards at the Prince George Ballroom in New York, hosted by David Pogue, Emmy award-winning correspondent, CBS Sunday Morning. William Wang, VIZIO Founder & CEO, received Life,me Achievement Honors for his contributions to the television manufacturing industry by bringing premium-quality, innova,ve TVs, and soundbars into millions of American homes at affordable prices. Watch The 75th Tech & Engineering Emmy Awards>> DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL PROGRAM!

2024 Technology & Engineering Emmy Award Honorees

• Pioneering Development of Inexpensive Video Technology for Animation: Lyon Lamb (Bruce Lyon and John Lamb).
• Large Scale Deployment of Smart TV Operating Systems: Samsung - LG - Sony - Vizio - Panasonic.
• Creation and Implementation of HDR Static LUT, Single-Stream Live Production: BBC and NBC.
• Pioneering Technologies Enabling High Performance Communications Over Cable TV Systems: Broadcom - General Instrument (CommScope) - LANcity (CommScope) - 3COM (HP).
• Pioneering Development of Manifest-based Playout for FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming Television): Amagi - Pluto TV - Turner.
• Targeted Ad Messages Delivered Across Paused Media: DirecTV.
• Pioneering Development of IP Address Geolocation Technologies to Protect Content Rights: MLB - Quova.
• Development of Stream Switching Technology between Satellite Broadcast and Internet to Improve Signal Reliability: DirecTV.
• Design and Deployment of Efficient Hardware Video Accelerators for Cloud: Netint - AMD - Google - Meta -
• Spectrum Auction Design: FCC -Auctionomics.
• TV Pioneers – Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT): Karl Ferdinand Braun - Boris Lvovich Rosing - Alan Archibald Campbell Swinton.
• TV Pioneers – Development of lighting, ventilation, and lens-coating technologies: Hertha Ayrton - Katharine Burr Blodgett.

STATEMENTS: Read the TV leaders on how TV drives Brands.


AV LIBRARY: The United Nations Audio-Visual Library has a treasure trove of archival video and audio, marking iconic and historic moments from the last 76 years.

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

World Television Day 2022; November 21st.

FORUM: “Envisioning the future of television in Europe and beyond.” World Television Day 2022. 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 hashtag: #Television, #Tvbroadcasting, #WorldTVDay, #21November, #qualityContent, #PayTV , #OTT, #IPTV, #broadband, #androidtv on social networks.

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 2022 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.

Be the first to know of important upcoming events.

UN Web TV, is the public affairs television arm of the United Nations. It broadcasts live and recorded gavel-to-gavel meetings of various United Nations agencies and arms from around the world, including the General Assembly and the Security Council.

  

 Journal of the United Nations

                                     

HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

• Reflect on the values of television as a medium
• Highlight the role of TV in communicating on key transnational issues
• Recognize the central place in the lives of millions of people
• Highlight the many services Television offers in the era of multi-screening.
• Broadcasters are able to add their own local/ national content to the video before airing the clip across their networks or online portals and viewers encouraged to celebrate their love of television.