Telling time (and date) by TV shows

Kids will not know about telling time by TV show. As a kid, I think I may have actually learned what time it was by what TV show was playing.

Or- I knew that if such and such cartoon was over, it was time to go to school. Or if the national anthem came on, it was the middle of the night... or on that point, if there was nothing at all interesting on, it was the middle of the night.

Saturday and Sunday were marked by certain shows being on. And when they were over, you were free to do outside things. Or you'd stay up late on Friday or Saturday to watch a certain something, as you didn't have school the next day.

You learned patience in terms of hours or days for a show to come on. You felt excitement for when it came time to watch a certain show. There were times when 'parent things' were on, and a time when 'kids things' were on, so both groups had specific time with the TV.

On saying all this, I am not sure if there was more freedom then, or more freedom now in watching TV.