Figures show 110 people in Huddersfield still watch black and white televisions

Nov 16 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TO MOST people they belong back in a world of shillings and half-crowns.

But black and white television is still going strong in Huddersfield.

New figures released on the 40th anniversary of the first colour broadcasts show that 110 people in the town still have a black and white TV licence.

Twenty people in Dewsbury and 20 in Batley are also sticking with black and white, according to TV Licensing.

Nationally, 28,000 homes still have black and white sets, paying only £48 a year for a TV licence – compared with £142.50 for a colour licence.

TV Licensing spokesman Phil Reed said: “It’s important people are aware of their legal responsibilities. Whether you watch in black and white on a 40-year-old TV set or in colour on a brand new 37-inch LCD flatscreen, you need to be covered by a TV licence if watching or recording programmes as they are broadcast.

“The same is true if you access programmes via the internet as they are being shown on TV – if you’re using a laptop, mobile phone, games console or any other device.”

Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the first colour broadcasts on BBC1 and ITV.