When Was the First Color Television Made?
The journey to color television was a long one, filled with experimentation and advancements. While the exact date of the “first” color television is debatable due to varying technologies and public broadcasts, this article explores key milestones in its development and arrival in British homes. The first color broadcasts to the public were actually across the Atlantic.
The Dawn of Color TV in Britain
In 1966, the BBC transmitted coverage of the elections to American viewers via the Early Bird satellite. This marked an early foray into color broadcasting, though it wasn’t yet available in the UK. British viewers still relied on black and white televisions. Color television adoption was already more widespread in the United States at that time.
The true turning point for British television came on July 1, 1967. BBC2 ushered in the era of color television with a broadcast of the Wimbledon tennis championships, hosted by David Vine. This historic event utilized the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) system, developed by German engineer Walter Bruch.
A Philips PC 60 (LDK 3) television camera head from circa 1966, showcasing the technology used in early color broadcasts.
BBC2 had strategically launched in black and white in 1964 with a high resolution of 625 lines, laying the groundwork for the PAL color system. This foresight ensured a smooth transition to color broadcasting.
PAL: A Superior Color System
The PAL system significantly improved upon the American NTSC system, addressing color stability issues that had plagued NTSC broadcasts. The issues with NTSC earned it the nickname “never twice the same color,” highlighting PAL’s superior performance. PAL quickly became the standard for color television in Britain and much of Europe.
The Gradual Transition to Color
While 1967 marked the official launch of color television, the shift wasn’t immediate. Not all programs were equipped for color broadcasting, leading to a phased rollout. The remaining channels, BBC1 and ITV, joined the color revolution on November 15, 1969.
Initially, color broadcasts only reached about half of the UK population, concentrated in London, the Midlands, the North-West, and Yorkshire. Other regions gradually gained access, with Scotland receiving color broadcasts in December 1969, Wales in April 1970, and Northern Ireland in September 1970. This phased approach was necessary due to infrastructure limitations.
The Cost of Color
The introduction of color television brought a new expense: the color TV license. Starting January 1, 1968, this license cost £10, double the price of the £5 black and white license. This higher fee reflected the investment required for color broadcasting technology and infrastructure.
Conclusion
The arrival of color television in Britain was a significant technological and cultural event. From the initial satellite broadcasts to the widespread adoption of PAL, the late 1960s marked a colorful transformation in the way Britons experienced television. While the transition was gradual and initially expensive, the superior quality and immersive experience of color television ultimately revolutionized the industry.
