TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIANCES

TELEVISION SETS

Central Electronics Engineering Institute (CEERI) in Pilaini develops the first
indigenous television set and shares the technology with private players on
behest of the Government. Four years later, J. K Electronics by the Singhania
Group will become the first licensed manufacturer of televisions in the country.

But, the uptake will be slow and in 1974 just 1,40,400 televisions will be in use,
with greatest density in Delhi followed by Bombay. Likewise, manufacturing
will be concentrated in the metros with Polestar Electronics and Telerad TV in
Bombay and Weston Electronics and Televista TV in Delhi. EC TV (in Andhra
Pradesh) and Dyanora (in Tamil Nadu) will be two state-owned brands of the
time to reckon with.

From the 1980s various factors will contribute to faster growth: Consumers will
show greater willingness to spend, manufacturing will be deregularised and
delicensed steadily, and programming will expand substantially.

Onida, Videocon and BPL will lead the market in these years. Once flat-screen
technology will be introduced in the late 90s, it will become the fastest
growing television segment. In the 21st century, companies such as VU will
integrate functions of a computer with television screens making them
multi-purpose and relevant to needs of the digital age.