This chapter traces the journey of television in South Africa, from its highly contested introduction in 1976—one of the last industrialised nations and 27th African country to adopt the medium—to its current status as a pervasive and influential force. Initially delayed due to the apartheid government's concerns over social disruption and information control, early television programming was primarily bilingual (Afrikaans and English), with Black South Africans largely an afterthought until dedicated channels (TV2 and TV3) were introduced in 1982. The chapter argues that South African television has evolved from a powerful tool of apartheid propaganda into a significant platform for cultural expression and communication, despite ongoing challenges related to representation and access. In doing this, the chapter also provides an overview of the volume, outlining the sections and chapters, as well as the key argument from the practitioners and academics who have contributed to its compilation.