Learn more fun facts on the World Television Day Video Page.
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World Television Day recognizes the profound impact of television on global communication and decision-making every November 21. Established by the UN, this day highlights TV’s role in informing, educating, and entertaining audiences worldwide. Tune in to a favorite show, explore documentaries, or share your top TV moments online.
Want to sponsor World Television Day? Learn how
Expected World Television Day Deals
As a Recognition holiday, World Television Day typically sees less emphasis on direct consumer deals and more on industry recognition and educational initiatives. Tech retailers like Best Buy and Amazon may offer promotions on new television sets or streaming devices around this time, capitalizing on the broader holiday shopping season. Streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu might feature curated content collections or special viewing guides. Broadcasters like NBCUniversal and Disney often highlight their public service programming or historical achievements. Educational platforms and media organizations like the Television Academy may host virtual panels or release special content exploring the medium’s evolution and future. We will update this page with confirmed live deals and initiatives as November 21 approaches.
Platform Guide for World Television Day
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #WorldTelevisionDay. Share your favorite TV moments, shows, or discuss the medium’s influence.
YouTube
Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Create a video discussing the evolution of television or your top five iconic TV shows.
Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #WorldTelevisionDay. Discuss the role of television in business, news, or education.
World Television Day Hero
Philo Farnsworth
History of World Television Day
In 1927, a 21 year old inventor by the name of Philo Taylor Farnsworth invented the world’s first electronic television. He lived in a home without electricity until he was 14 years old. In high school, he began to think of a system that could capture moving pictures, change them into a code, and them move those images with radio waves to different devices. He was years ahead of the mechanical television system as his structure captured moving images using a beam of electrons. Farnsworth later famously transmitted the image of a dollar sign using his television after a fellow inventor asked “When are we going to see some dollars from this thing?” Neither of them knew the television would become the emblem for an international day promoting the spread of global information.
On November 21 and 22 in 1996, the United Nations held the first World Television Forum. Here, leading media figures met to discuss the growing significance of television in the rapidly changing world and consider how they might enhance their mutual cooperation. UN leaders recognized that television could bring attention to conflicts, raise awareness of threats to peace and security, and sharpen focus on social and economic issues. Television was acknowledged as a major tool in informing, channeling, and affecting public opinion, having an undoubtable presence and influence on world politics. Because of this event, the UN General Assembly decided to name November 21 World Television Day, not to celebrate the object itself, but the symbol for communication and globalization in the contemporary world that it represents.
World Television Day timeline
Philo Taylor Farnsworth invented the world's first electronic television.
The first mechanical tv station called W3XK, created by Charles Francis Jenkins aired its first broadcast.
CNN was founded by Ted Turner in Atlanta, Georgia
The United Nations General Assembly coined November 21 World Television Day
How Businesses Can Celebrate World Television Day
Local businesses can celebrate World Television Day by showcasing how television has impacted their industry or community. Electronics stores can host demonstrations of new TV technologies or offer special bundles on smart TVs and streaming devices. Restaurants and bars could feature classic TV show-themed menus or trivia nights. Local media outlets can run special segments highlighting the history of local broadcasting or interview long-time viewers about their favorite TV memories. Agencies might share case studies on successful TV advertising campaigns.
World Television Day By Numbers
1.67 billion – the number of households with a TV worldwide
120.6 million – The number of TV households in the U.S.
$166.3 billion – The global amount spent on TV advertising in 2019
292 – the average number of minutes U.S. citizen is consuming media each day
238 – the number of minutes the average person in the U.S. spends watching TV every day.
195 million – the number of Netflix subscribers worldwide
75 million – the number of Disney Plus subscribers worldwide
652 million – the number of people who watched the moon landing in 1969
2 billion – the number of people who watched Princess Diania’s funeral in 1997
World Television Day FAQs
When is World Television Day?
World Television Day 2026 falls on Saturday, November 21. It’s a global observance recognizing television’s significant role in communication and culture.
How many households have a television?
Globally, television remains a dominant medium, with an estimated 1.6 billion households owning at least one TV set. This widespread access underscores its continued importance in daily life.
What is the history of World Television Day?
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed November 21 as World Television Day in 1996. This decision commemorated the date in 1996 when the first World Television Forum was held, recognizing TV’s growing impact.
How has television evolved over time?
Television has transformed from bulky black-and-white sets to sleek, high-definition smart TVs with integrated streaming capabilities. Its evolution reflects rapid advancements in display technology, broadcasting methods, and content delivery.
World Television Day Activities
Share your favorite TV moment
There’s a lot to love and get excited about on television. Head over to social media and write about your favorite television moment, whether it happened last week or 20 years ago.
Have a TV themed night
Invite over your favorite people for TV dinners while watching your favorite program. Complete the evening with a family game like Scene It, or a television themed game like Loony Tunes, Monopoly, or Yu-Gi-Oh!
Go ahead and binge
Do you forego a good TV binge because you think you should be getting stuff done? This day was made for you! Put on some cozy sweats, make yourself some popcorn and indulge in episode after episode of your favorite show. If you feel any guilt over such a leisurely activity, remind yourself that you're supporting the ideals of the United Nations with your actions—or in this case, inaction.
The 5 Best TV Shows Of All Time According To IMBD
Planet Earth 2
David Attenbrough’s documentary series from 2016 explores nature all across the world and is full of delicate narration and stunning visuals.
Planet Earth
The original Planet Earth was filmed in 2006 and was basically the same as Planet Earth 2, but with slightly older technology capturing the footage.
Band of Brothers
The war drama miniseries focuses on the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division from 1942 to the end of World War II.
Breaking Bad
This drama follows a chemistry teacher who discovers he has cancer and decides to go into the meth-making business.
Chernobyl
This miniseries covers the nuclear disaster that happened in Chernobyl in 1986 and the cleanup efforts that followed.
Why We Love World Television Day
It acknowledges a daily part of our lives
In the United States, on average, people watch 3.5 hours of television a day. Whether it's news, sports, concerts, shows, or movies we turn to television to entertain and inform. Television as entertainment isn’t limited to the United States either. There are roughly 610 million viewers globally. Knowing there is a day devoted to its higher purposes allows us to feel better about our decision to indulge in a little T.V. at the end of the day.
It’s a beneficial medium worthy of recognition
At one time, television meant the box sitting in the living room that received radio waves and transmitted images. Those days are gone. Television is now any system which transmits sound and images and is displayed on a screen. It can still be the big screen in the den, but it also refers to your desktop, laptop or phone. As long as they're accessing programs, they're fair game! With its many innovations, T.V. is a source of entertainment and information we access daily.
TV creates community
Head to social media and type in your favorite television show, news program or network and there will be plenty of comments, likes and shares. Television offers a commonly held experience to talk about with others. So whether your interests extend to who has died on The Walking Dead or an interview with the president on Face the Nation, there is a whole community in the virtual world with whom you can gossip.
World Television Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 21 | Saturday |
| 2027 | November 21 | Sunday |
| 2028 | November 21 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | November 21 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | November 21 | Thursday |
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