In 1996, the United Nations’ General Assembly declared the 21st of November as World Television Day. Member states were invited to celebrate the day, encouraging the exchange of television content on topics such as peace programmes, security, social and economic development, and strengthening cultural exchanges (Resolution 51/205).
In Portugal, television broadcasting began in 1957, with Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP). Communities and people gathered together in public places to see the "magic" of television. The first broadcasts in color appeared in 1976, but they only started to become a regular occurrence in 1980. The first color program to be shown was, in fact, the European Song Contest in 1980.
The first PSM Day was in 2013, with Ingrid Deltenre. This year, RTP celebrated this day by organizing a special event. This year’s event was called: “Public Service Media Day: Screens of the Future – New Ways of Watching TV.”
RTP coordinated a demonstration of new technology and a debate for students at the Catholic University. There was a technology park that included a high definition OB Van and RTP’s “Museum OB Van” with a refurbished exterior and the original equipment from the 1950s in the interior! Students found it fascinating to see this equipment alongside new 4k demos from Samsung and Sony.
The key speakers participating in the debate were: Nelson Ribeiro, Catholic University (FCH), Simon Fell, Dir. Technology and Innovation (EBU), António Beato Teixeira, Board of RTP, and Lopes Araújo, Head of Institutional Department (RTP).
Altogether, the event was a big success and increased the interest of the students in television.