Swiss TV had their humble beginnings in 1939. That’s when Switzerland tested the transmission of television and showed what modern life could look like at the Swiss National Exhibit. A few short years later, on five days a week for one hour all of Switzerland was able to take time from their busy schedule and watch TV. If, that is, they owned one. A lot has changed since then.
What is a TV called in Swiss German?
Of course you could call it a ‘Television’ or simply ‘Telly’ and everyone in Switzerland would know what you are talking about. Even ‘TV’ is acceptable, although you don’t hear that used very often. Most Swiss Germans use the word ‘Fernseh’ which is actually two words combined, an adverbial of distance, ‘Fern’ [far away] and a verb, ‘seh’ [to see]. Interestingly you can use the word as a noun in the sense ‘My ‘distance-see-er’ is broken.’ But you can break it up and use it as a verb to talk about what you are doing: ‘I’m looking in the distance.’ A considerably less formal, somewhat derogatory variation for ‘TV’ would be a ‘Glotze’ [to stare at]. A verb used as a noun but in this case using it as a verb doesn’t have a connection to TV, it just means ‘to stare at’. Another somewhat derogatory name is ‘Flimmerkiste’ which translates into ‘flicker box’. That’s a testimony to the TV’s early technical quality. Of course, English has their derogatory description, too. I know people who called it ‘the idiot box’.
Swiss TV
Ben, my husband has told me what TV was like in Switzerland when he was growing up. This was when they weren’t broadcasting 24/7 but substantially more than one hour per day. He said there were special programs for children on Wednesday afternoons because they didn’t have school then. Other than Wednesdays no TV programs were aired in the afternoon. At some point Swiss TV started to air 24/7.
At the beginning of the evening, they had studio presenters who told the audience what was coming up, sort of like a talking TV Guide. These people were Swiss ‘Stars’, everyone knew their names. Say Heidi Abel, Dorothea Furrer, Rosemarie Pfluger to a Swiss in their 60s or older and they’ll nod in acknowledgement.
As to the quality of content I can only say this. After arriving in Switzerland I was appalled by the German political shows. It seemed like everyone was basically incoherently interrupting and yelling at each other. I had never seen anything like that on TV before, but times have changed. American TV is no longer the polite innocence it used to be.
Another eye-opener was on the Bernese local television. The quality of this channel left a lot to be desired. The short lived ‘Telebärn’ [TV Berne] Seva game show was a must-see. The Seva-Lotterie was a canton Berne lottery. There are really no words to describe this show. Was this really the technical epitome of 1995? Everything has to end at some time, here’s their last show. Enjoy it. By the way, Telebärn has grown up since then.
Why watch TV
People watch TV for a variety of reasons. The obvious one is to be entertained or learn something. But there are some other reasons, too.
My dad travelled a lot when he was working. He said the first thing he did when he got to his hotel room was to turn on the TV. It made him feel like he wasn’t alone.
While my husband and I were visiting my cousin once, we were happily sitting in the living room watching TV. I don’t think my cousin noticed us when he came in and saw that the news wasn’t on. Without saying anything he changed the channel to the news. He stayed in the room for all of maybe 10 seconds and left again. My husband and I waited a minute or two, looked at each other, shrugged, then turned the channel back to what we were watching. I guess it was just time for the news to be on, whether you watched it or not.
The last time my husband and I came back to Switzerland from the States the number of TVs we saw in the airport terminal was impressive. That’s what bored people do at airports, they stare blankly at mute TVs.
Switzerland isn’t much better. There’s something about Italian restaurants and TVs. Historically you might say that before every Italian had a TV at home, they met at the restaurant to watch TV and socialize. But every Italian has a TV now and TVs are still in Italian restaurants. I’m a purest: I like my chocolate without alcohol, but I’m okay with alcohol. I like my restaurants without TVs, but I’m okay with TVs! If there’s an ‘important’ soccer game on that doesn’t interest you, then an Italian restaurant is not the place to be. They don’t know where the mute button is and you can’t get away from it.
TV Today
Things have changed quite a lot since the beginning of the TV era.
Who would have thought that you would be able to watch TV stations from other countries? Or watch what you wanted, when you wanted. And, of course, you can watch wherever you want because your phone is your TV at the same time.
I think Swiss TV as normal nowadays. That could mean one of two things, either it actually has come up to par with other national TVs or I’ve just grown used to it.
-
-