UK still has 13,000 black-and-white TVs

[dipsydoodle]

More than 13,000 households across the UK are still using black-and-white television sets, according to the TV Licensing authority.

London had the highest number of monochrome licences, at 2,715, followed by Birmingham and Manchester, it said.

The number of licences issued each year has dwindled from 212,000 in 2000. A total of 13,202 monochrome licences were in force at the start of 2013.

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TV Licensing spokesman Stephen Farmer said: "It's remarkable that with the digital switchover complete, 41% of UK households owning HDTVs and Britons leading the world in accessing TV content over the internet, more than 13,000 households still watch their favourite programmes on a black-and-white telly."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20957218

And I could probably still repair one of those without too much difficulty , without the need for a circuit diagram but given access to suitable spares.

[rightsideout]

1. I believe it

I've been to the UK several times to visit my wife's relatives, recently to celebrate my wife's Grandfather's 100th birthday in Epping and Hatford Heath and I can't recall where the TVs were in their homes! In the US they tend to be the center of attention in your typical family room. In the UK they tend to be lost among the nick nacks at least in my wife's family's homes. The B&Ws are probably more in the older folks homes since I'm sure the younger generations are more connected.

[dipsydoodle]

2. You might have meant Hatfield Heath

I guess those still using analogue UHF channels must be content with the five channels available. There are doubtless some too who are into sixties style and so the B&W TV is a feature.

I've got friends with these which don't function at all since our VHF broadcasts were shut down :



That's a 1948 model.

[Travis_0004]

3. Given the fact that a TV liscense is cheaper in England, I wonder if people are not telling t/ truth

If you have a black and white TV you need to pay a yearly fee of 80 US dollars. A color TV is 240 US dollars a year. I would imagine there is a system of checks and balances if somebody has cable and doesn't pay for the license, so it wouldn't surprise me if somebody claims to have a black and white TV just to pay less tax.

[libodem]

4. Is that like a luxury tax?

We have nothing like it.

[dipsydoodle]

5. I know you don't and you don't have a real equivalent of the BBC either.

Thats how the BBC is funded.

[libodem]

6. Oh

We have fund drives for pbs and npr. I get it, now.

[dipsydoodle]

7. It may not be apparent to you over there

that in the UK the BBC is not allowed to advertise. They are solely funded by the licence fees.

[libodem]

8. I worship the airwaves they float on

It is rebroadcast here on NPR esp after nine. There are some attempts to get rid of public broadcasting here as part of the 'government spending' problem. As evidenced in Mitt's attack of big bird.

I'm in a very conservative state. It is so needed.

[LeftishBrit]

9. Not really surprised

Some older people in particular may keep their black and white TVs, because they're used to them, and - important point for pensioners - because the license is cheaper than for a colour TV.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Though the licence is free once you're 75 (nt)

[LeftishBrit]

11. True. But that still leaves quite a lot of retired people under 75...

Is there any info about the age distribution of the black-and-white TV owners? I wonder whether most of them in fact are older people who've always had a black and white TV, or whether there are a number of younger people who choose it, either through preference or price.

[andypandy]

12. have to be older people...

i'd assume it would have to be older people owning them as i'm not sure you can even buy B&W TV's anymore - i don't think i've seen one on sale in the last 20+ years, so by definition only someone who last bought a TV in the early 90/late 80's could have one...

i could, of course, be wrong...