When Did Television Come Out?

After years of experimentation, the BBC began public television transmissions. The first broadcast covered the 1966 elections and was transmitted to viewers in America via the Early Bird satellite. Color television was already more widespread in the US; however, the UK still only had black-and-white broadcasts. Finally, on July 1, 1967, BBC2 launched color television in Britain with a broadcast of the Wimbledon tennis championships, presented by David Vine. The broadcast utilized the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) system, based on the work of German television engineer Walter Bruch. BBC2 had initially launched in black and white in 1964 with a high resolution of 625 lines in anticipation of the PAL color system. The adoption of PAL signaled to the British television industry that a public color television service was finally feasible. PAL was a significant improvement over the American NTSC system, which was often jokingly referred to as “never twice the same color” due to its instability, compared to the more reliable PAL.

The introduction of PAL marked a turning point in television history, solidifying the viability of color broadcasting for a mass audience. This technological advancement paved the way for the vibrant and immersive television experience we enjoy today. The transition to color, while initially gradual, ultimately revolutionized the way people consumed entertainment and information.

Although color television had arrived, the transition wasn’t immediate. Not all programs were equipped for color broadcasting, so the shift happened gradually. Following the BBC2 launch in 1967, color broadcasting expanded to BBC1 and ITV on November 15, 1969. Initially, color signals only reached about half of the UK population, covering the London, Midlands, North-West, and Yorkshire TV regions. ITV’s first color programs in Scotland aired on December 13, 1969; Wales on April 6, 1970; and Northern Ireland on September 14, 1970. Color TV licenses were introduced on January 1, 1968, priced at £10, double the cost of the £5 black and white license. This higher fee reflected the advanced technology and enhanced viewing experience offered by color television. The phased rollout and the price difference between color and black and white licenses highlight the challenges and costs associated with transitioning to a new broadcasting standard.