What is a Television Program? The Evolution of Color TV in Britain
The journey to what we know as a television program today involved years of technological advancements. One pivotal moment was the introduction of color television. This article explores the transition from black and white to color broadcasting in Britain, highlighting key milestones and challenges.
The Dawn of Color: From BBC2 to Nationwide Broadcasting
The BBC spearheaded the transition to color television in the UK. In 1966, they broadcast the elections to American audiences in color via satellite, while Britain remained in black and white. The true dawn of color for British viewers arrived on July 1, 1967, with BBC2’s broadcast of the Wimbledon Championships in color, presented by David Vine. This historic event utilized the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) system, developed by German engineer Walter Bruch. BBC2, launched in black and white in 1964 with a high resolution of 625 lines, had been strategically preparing for the PAL color system.
The PAL system offered a significant advantage over the American NTSC system, addressing color consistency issues that had plagued NTSC broadcasts. This technological superiority signaled that the time for color television in Britain had come.
© Science Museum Group Collection
Philips PC 60 (LDK 3) television camera head, circa 1966. This camera represents the technology that enabled the capture and broadcast of color television programs.
Despite the arrival of color broadcasting capabilities, the transition wasn’t immediate. Not all programs were equipped for color, leading to a gradual shift in programming. Following BBC2’s lead, BBC1 and ITV launched color broadcasting on November 15, 1969.
Expanding Reach and Accessibility: Regional Rollout and Licensing
Initially, color broadcasts only reached about half of the UK population, covering London, the Midlands, North-West, and Yorkshire. Color programming gradually extended to other regions: Scotland on December 13, 1969; Wales on April 6, 1970; and Northern Ireland on September 14, 1970. To fund this new technology, color TV licenses were introduced on January 1, 1968, priced at £10, double the cost of a black and white license. This higher fee reflected the significant investment in infrastructure and technology required for color broadcasting.
Conclusion: A Colorful Transformation of Television
The introduction of color television in Britain marked a significant turning point in broadcasting history, transforming the viewing experience and paving the way for the vibrant television programming we enjoy today. The phased rollout, regional expansion, and licensing changes demonstrate the complex process of bringing this technological innovation to a national audience. The transition to color fundamentally changed what a television program could be, ushering in a new era of visual storytelling.
