Sony’s Watchman, a Pioneer in Portable Television, Marked a Cultural Shift
In 1982, Sony launched the Watchman, a device that redefined television consumption and foreshadowed today’s ubiquitous screens. Prior to the watchman, “TV” typically referred to large, often wood-encased furniture dominating living rooms. Sony’s innovation offered a dramatically different experience: television portability.
Building on the success of its earlier Walkman – which revolutionized personal music listening – Sony introduced the watchman with key technological advancements. While not the first portable TV (devices existed from companies like Casio and Sinclair),the Watchman featured a Flat Display Picture Tube,a modified CRT technology enabling a smaller form factor. This allowed users to discreetly watch television in previously unimaginable locations, such as church or meetings.
The timing coincided with a boom in broadcast television, providing readily available content. The Watchman remained popular for nearly two decades. Though, the rise of smartphones ultimately eclipsed the dedicated portable TV market, and Sony eventually lost its leading position.
Despite its eventual decline, the Watchman’s impact was significant. It sparked conversations about social isolation and the increasing presence of screens in daily life – debates that continue today. The device fundamentally altered how and where people consumed media, a change from which the world has not reverted.
The Version History podcast recently explored the full story of the Watchman, alongside previous episodes on hoverboards and Blackberry Messenger (BBM). The podcast is available through multiple platforms and actively solicits audience feedback for future episode selection.
