Broadcast News
01/06/2010
Viewers Still Tuning To Black & White
Thousands of viewers are still using black and white television sets.
That's even though it is now 40 years since TV sports coverage changed forever - as Mexico 1970 became the first World Cup broadcast in colour.
Now, as millions gear up to watch this year's tournament on some of the latest technology, TV Licensing can reveal that more than 25,000 across the UK who still own black and white TV Licences seem content to enjoy this year's World Cup in monochrome - just as in 1966, when England last won it.
However, South Africa 2010 will mark another breakthrough for TV sport, becoming the first World Cup to be shown in Freeview HD and on mobile phones.
All matches will be streamed live online and numbers watching key games are likely to far exceed the average 75,000 UK viewers each match of Germany 2006 attracted, when watching football online was in its infancy.
Industry figures also suggest record numbers will watch on the latest plasma and LCD TVs, with over 30 million sets sold since Germany 2006.
However, TV Licensing is reminding people that whatever equipment they use to watch this summer's tournament - whether a black and white or colour TV, computer, mobile phone or games console - you need a TV Licence if you want to watch or record the coverage as it is being shown on TV.
Deborah King, a spokesperson for TV Licensing, said: "Technology has come a long way in 40 years and people look set to view this year's World Cup in more ways than ever before.
"Whether viewers plan to catch the games on an old black and white set, on the latest plasma, or any other device, including a laptop, mobile phone, or games console, they need to be covered by a licence," she insisted.
Commenting on yesterday's anniversary, Alan Hart, a former head of BBC Sport and Controller of BBC One, said: "In 1970 new technologies helped us show the games as they had never been seen before.
"It was also the first time we had used slow motion replays. The machines could overheat and there were stories of BBC engineers throwing foam over them to cool them down.
"There are so many new devices on which people can watch the World Cup today, but technological advances felt just as innovative and exciting in 1970," he commented.
Jonathan Martin, a former head of BBC Sport, and the producer at Mexico 1970, said: "The move from black and white to colour transformed people's enjoyment of watching sport on TV.
"It was the first time the viewing public could see the wide variety of the national teams' coloured strips," he said, noting that his 'most memorable moment' was witnessing Gordon Banks' save against the yellow-shirted Pele when England played Brazil.
"It has gone down as one of the greatest saves in football history," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
That's even though it is now 40 years since TV sports coverage changed forever - as Mexico 1970 became the first World Cup broadcast in colour.
Now, as millions gear up to watch this year's tournament on some of the latest technology, TV Licensing can reveal that more than 25,000 across the UK who still own black and white TV Licences seem content to enjoy this year's World Cup in monochrome - just as in 1966, when England last won it.
However, South Africa 2010 will mark another breakthrough for TV sport, becoming the first World Cup to be shown in Freeview HD and on mobile phones.
All matches will be streamed live online and numbers watching key games are likely to far exceed the average 75,000 UK viewers each match of Germany 2006 attracted, when watching football online was in its infancy.
Industry figures also suggest record numbers will watch on the latest plasma and LCD TVs, with over 30 million sets sold since Germany 2006.
However, TV Licensing is reminding people that whatever equipment they use to watch this summer's tournament - whether a black and white or colour TV, computer, mobile phone or games console - you need a TV Licence if you want to watch or record the coverage as it is being shown on TV.
Deborah King, a spokesperson for TV Licensing, said: "Technology has come a long way in 40 years and people look set to view this year's World Cup in more ways than ever before.
"Whether viewers plan to catch the games on an old black and white set, on the latest plasma, or any other device, including a laptop, mobile phone, or games console, they need to be covered by a licence," she insisted.
Commenting on yesterday's anniversary, Alan Hart, a former head of BBC Sport and Controller of BBC One, said: "In 1970 new technologies helped us show the games as they had never been seen before.
"It was also the first time we had used slow motion replays. The machines could overheat and there were stories of BBC engineers throwing foam over them to cool them down.
"There are so many new devices on which people can watch the World Cup today, but technological advances felt just as innovative and exciting in 1970," he commented.
Jonathan Martin, a former head of BBC Sport, and the producer at Mexico 1970, said: "The move from black and white to colour transformed people's enjoyment of watching sport on TV.
"It was the first time the viewing public could see the wide variety of the national teams' coloured strips," he said, noting that his 'most memorable moment' was witnessing Gordon Banks' save against the yellow-shirted Pele when England played Brazil.
"It has gone down as one of the greatest saves in football history," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.
11/01/2013
13,000 View Black And White TV
Figures release by TV Licensing reveal after nearly 46 years of colour transmissions, more than 13,202 black and white TV Licences are still in force
13,000 View Black And White TV
Figures release by TV Licensing reveal after nearly 46 years of colour transmissions, more than 13,202 black and white TV Licences are still in force
19/08/2008
Brits Break Free Of TV Schedule With Digital TV But Gen Y Still Love It Live, Report Reveals
The ability to pause rewind and record TV is freeing Britons from the fixed TV schedule according to a survey of 2,000 UK digital TV viewers, commissi
Brits Break Free Of TV Schedule With Digital TV But Gen Y Still Love It Live, Report Reveals
The ability to pause rewind and record TV is freeing Britons from the fixed TV schedule according to a survey of 2,000 UK digital TV viewers, commissi
03/08/2007
Narrowstep Gains Success With 'Watch India'
Internet TV company Narrowstep has achieved success with their groundbreaking Internet TV channel, Watch India. In their first month alone, Watch Indi
Narrowstep Gains Success With 'Watch India'
Internet TV company Narrowstep has achieved success with their groundbreaking Internet TV channel, Watch India. In their first month alone, Watch Indi
05/07/2016
Production News : NOW TV Combo Launched
NOW TV has launched the NOW TV Combo - the UK's first ever contract-free triple play bundle, offering the latest and best TV, unlimited broadband as w
Production News : NOW TV Combo Launched
NOW TV has launched the NOW TV Combo - the UK's first ever contract-free triple play bundle, offering the latest and best TV, unlimited broadband as w
24/03/2011
OTT TV Viewers 'To Outnumber IPTV Viewers In 2013'
According to recent research from Informa Telecoms & Media, OTT-to-the-TV viewers will outnumber IPTV viewers by 2013. Informa forecasts that by 2015,
OTT TV Viewers 'To Outnumber IPTV Viewers In 2013'
According to recent research from Informa Telecoms & Media, OTT-to-the-TV viewers will outnumber IPTV viewers by 2013. Informa forecasts that by 2015,
27/02/2013
New Era Of TV Consumption Is Ushered Across CEEMEA
A new era of television consumption is being ushered in across Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) a report by Discovery Networks
New Era Of TV Consumption Is Ushered Across CEEMEA
A new era of television consumption is being ushered in across Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) a report by Discovery Networks
26/10/2005
ADS Tech launch Instant TV Deluxe
ADS Tech (www.adstech.com), a leader in consumer video editing solutions, has announced the launch of the Instant TV Deluxe, an external TV tuner, vid
ADS Tech launch Instant TV Deluxe
ADS Tech (www.adstech.com), a leader in consumer video editing solutions, has announced the launch of the Instant TV Deluxe, an external TV tuner, vid
30/04/2012
UK TV Viewers Slow To Embrace 3D TV
A few years ago 3D TV was being billed as a possible saviour for recession hit manufacturers looking to boost sales but now excitement seems to have f
UK TV Viewers Slow To Embrace 3D TV
A few years ago 3D TV was being billed as a possible saviour for recession hit manufacturers looking to boost sales but now excitement seems to have f
28/11/2006
TV Outlook To Report On Changing Habits Of TV Viewers
At TV Outlook 2007 in Munich, Germany, Siemens Networks will report about the changing habits of TV viewers which are crucial for the success of IPTV.
TV Outlook To Report On Changing Habits Of TV Viewers
At TV Outlook 2007 in Munich, Germany, Siemens Networks will report about the changing habits of TV viewers which are crucial for the success of IPTV.
30/10/2019
Broadpeak's Solutions Gain Momentum In Android TV Environment
Broadpeak® has announced that its nanoCDN™ multicast ABR and umbrellaCDN™ CDN selection solutions are gaining significant momentum in the Android TV e
Broadpeak's Solutions Gain Momentum In Android TV Environment
Broadpeak® has announced that its nanoCDN™ multicast ABR and umbrellaCDN™ CDN selection solutions are gaining significant momentum in the Android TV e
09/04/2024
HKT's Now TV Deploys VO's AI-Driven Targeted TV Advertising Solution
Viaccess-Orca (VO) has announced that HKT's Now TV is using VO's AI-driven Targeted TV Advertising solution to deliver addressable TV to viewers. By o
HKT's Now TV Deploys VO's AI-Driven Targeted TV Advertising Solution
Viaccess-Orca (VO) has announced that HKT's Now TV is using VO's AI-driven Targeted TV Advertising solution to deliver addressable TV to viewers. By o
27/09/2012
smartclip Publish Findings On Connected TV Users
smartclip, the multiscreen video and brand advertising platform, has published the findings of the first ever research on Connected TV users. In assoc
smartclip Publish Findings On Connected TV Users
smartclip, the multiscreen video and brand advertising platform, has published the findings of the first ever research on Connected TV users. In assoc
22/11/2011
Half Of UK Watch TV On The Go, Says Survey
The trend of viewing "live" and on demand programming on devices such as smartphones and tablets is accelerating so says a new survey. According to Qu
Half Of UK Watch TV On The Go, Says Survey
The trend of viewing "live" and on demand programming on devices such as smartphones and tablets is accelerating so says a new survey. According to Qu
02/04/2009
Vikersund-TV Selects Telestream Episode For FIS World Cup Ski Jumping Web-TV
Telestream has announced that the company's new Windows-based Episode desktop media encoder was deployed by Vikersund-TV to provide web TV encoding fo
Vikersund-TV Selects Telestream Episode For FIS World Cup Ski Jumping Web-TV
Telestream has announced that the company's new Windows-based Episode desktop media encoder was deployed by Vikersund-TV to provide web TV encoding fo
26/06/2008
Content Creators Get Upload TV
An innovative communications company, Uploaded.TV has announced the launch of its website where members can send their videos to real TV. Uploaded.TV,
Content Creators Get Upload TV
An innovative communications company, Uploaded.TV has announced the launch of its website where members can send their videos to real TV. Uploaded.TV,