The Process of Establishing the Hungarian Television

Abstract

The study discloses the secretly held facts of the establishment of Hungarian Television. It analyses the four-year-long process, including fiascos of political decisions, infighting in governmental economic and political organizations, financial aspects, as well as personal conflicts and battles. It discusses the factors leading to the original resolution of establishing Hungarian Television and also the factors contributing to the failure of the resolution. Beyond showing the role and activities of the Television Department itself, the article presents the peculiarities of Hungarian Television stemming from the changes sweeping the Hungarian political, economic and social life between 1952 and 1957.