Is this acceptable in the 21st century

I know a few couples like that. If you have only one TV it's difficult to reach a peaceful compromise. It's not so much "doesn't let" as he/she can't bear to watch.
Luckily for me there are few tv programmes I do want to watch. Husband likes some sport, and I quite enjoy that.
The answer is to have 2 tvs.

I would say she was late 60s. I've always been independent but if I have friends to stay I will always let them watch a favourite tv programme if they want to. Like Ginny, I started to wonder what her life was like, but she seemed quite confident. I suppose a lot of people, men and women, just accept things for a quiet life

Have hen pecked husbands vanished ?

She could have been any age - there have always been controlling men, and as long as women tolerate it, there always will be.

Oh my ! Worrying. I wonder what else he doesn’t ‘let’ her do.☹️

Mauriherb
Sadly there is a heck of a lot of controlling going on behind closed doors. Usually male against female, but not always so and very much not confined to the elderly.

Nor mine trisher

Although I have heard of one or two who were that submissive.

Was it ever acceptable? None of the women in my family would have stood for this. Not even my grandmothers.

I’m guessing she was elderly?