Do Black and White Televisions Still Work? A Look at the End of an Era

The recent announcement from TV Licensing revealing fewer than 12,000 black and white TV licenses in Britain marks a significant decline. While watching black and white television is now a rarity, it was once the sole viewing experience for decades. This article explores the decline of black and white TV and examines its enduring relevance today.

The Dawn of Color Television and the Demise of Black and White

Color TV broadcasting emerged in the USA in 1954, plagued by initial technical challenges and a battle for industry dominance between CBS and RCA. Despite becoming established in major US cities by the late 1950s, early color sets were expensive and demanding to maintain. Britain, however, delayed the transition due to cost, technological uncertainties, and a cautious approach.

The BBC pioneered Europe’s first color broadcasting in 1967, utilizing the German-developed PAL system, an enhancement of the American color system. This marked a turning point in television history. BBC2, launched in black and white in 1964, was inherently capable of transmitting 625 lines, paving the way for sharper black and white images and eventually PAL color. The introduction of color TV licenses in 1968, costing double the black and white license, further cemented the shift towards color.

The Unique Qualities of the Black and White Television Image

For the first 30 years of television, cinema held the monopoly on color moving images. While this initially drove cinema attendance, it also fueled the public’s desire for color television. However, television’s arrival negatively impacted cinemas, magazines, and other forms of entertainment. Early television images were low resolution, with BBC1 broadcasting in 405 horizontal lines. The introduction of 625 lines with BBC2 in 1964 significantly improved image sharpness.

In 1964, Marshall McLuhan published “Understanding Media,” observing that the small, blurry images of early television necessitated specific production techniques for both image and sound. McLuhan noted the intimate nature of TV acting, driven by the viewer’s involvement in completing the image, and the prevalence of close-ups.

The Transition to Color in Britain and its Implications

The BBC’s launch of regular color television service in Europe in July 1967, starting with the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, ushered in a new era. By mid-1968, almost all BBC2 programming was in color, followed by BBC1 six months later. The combined impact of color and the improved 625-line resolution led to greater realism and less viewer interpretation.

Larger color sets gradually moved television away from McLuhan’s description as a close-up medium. Improved image detail reduced the viewer’s need to “fill in” missing information. This technological evolution aimed to create a more convincing illusion of reality, benefiting both producers and viewers. Color also increased television’s perceived value, as reflected in the higher license fees.

The Enduring Appeal of Black and White Television Sets

Surprisingly, black and white TVs remain relevant today, especially for viewing black and white films. Color displays can only approximate black and white by blending red, blue, and green, while traditional black and white TVs utilize a uniformly coated phosphorescent screen illuminated by an electron beam. This simpler technology eliminates the need for a shadow mask, resulting in a 100% pixel fill rate and the absence of a “screen door” effect – a level of clarity unmatched by most modern color displays.

For purists of classic black and white film and television, an older black and white set offers a superior viewing experience, providing a unique window into the past and showcasing the enduring functionality of this seemingly obsolete technology. So, Do Black And White Televisions Still Work? Absolutely.