Viewers Still Tuning In 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 more than 1,300 homes in Northern Ireland alone are still watching in less stunning monochrome - or plain old-fashioned black and white.

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.

In low-tech contrast, 235 homeowners in Belfast, 94 in Newry and 80 in Derry/Londonderry are among 25,000 across the UK who still own black and white TV Licences, and seem content to enjoy this year's World Cup in monochrome - just as in 1966, when England last won it.

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, Northern Ireland 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)