Network color broadcasting did not exceed 50% of programming until 1965. Color set sales did not really take off until then although color sets existed in the 1950’s.
My father was slightly miserly with his outgoings, we got our first color set in 1976, it still amazes me that all the programs that were black and white are in my memory in color, so yeah it’s over rated stick with the B&W set Broomie and let your imagination fill in the blanks.
Oddly, this got me thinking of my aftermarket car stereo, and how I’ve told myself I’m not going to get a new one with Bluetooth until either the stereo or my iPhone 4 dies. (I don’t use it as a phone anymore, but it’s a great media player especially because it talks to the car stereo so well.
I also remember the transition from black-and-white televisions to color, which was accelerated by the switch to color by the Bonanza and Wonderful World of Disney programs.
And then there were the stingy neighbors and relatives, usually elderly, who used to justify sticking with their B&W sets by claiming that watching color television sets gave them headaches.
Hey, Broomie, there’s all kinds of more modern TV tech-stuff: remote controls; flat screens; humongous screens; stereo sound; picture-in-picture (great for watching two shows at once); and of course that color (and it’s adjustable, too)!
So why are the old “B” grade movies in black & white so much better than the “Great movies” of today…And the T.V. shows in B.W. generally much better.Perhaps the directors, cameramen, writers, even the actors knew they had to do much more to project a “color program” in your mind’s eye.
My dad didn’t want to get TV at all until he found my mom and siblings (I was not born yet) were spending all their time at the neighbor’s house watching TV, We did not get a color set until 1976, after the old TV died and needed an expensive repair. Cheaper to get a new one. Nobody repairs TV’s these days – we just get new ones.
I have a good friend whose Dad didn’t want a color set….the was color blind!!Like the old Spike Jones show….this program is brought to you in living black and white!!
Although color was available in 1948, It was Sunday night’s ‘Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color’ sponsored by RCA that really got color off the ground. Still, I remember what a thrill it was to watch B&W on our 1955 Emerson all vacuum tube set. Even as a 6 year old, I remember looking forward to ‘Playhouse’ 90 – the writing was that good.
stlmaddog5 about 8 years ago
I was in high school when color TV was introduced. About 1966 +- a couple of years.
JanBic Premium Member about 8 years ago
Network color broadcasting did not exceed 50% of programming until 1965. Color set sales did not really take off until then although color sets existed in the 1950’s.
tirnaaisling about 8 years ago
My father was slightly miserly with his outgoings, we got our first color set in 1976, it still amazes me that all the programs that were black and white are in my memory in color, so yeah it’s over rated stick with the B&W set Broomie and let your imagination fill in the blanks.
mourdac Premium Member about 8 years ago
I saw my first color show on tv in 1974 when 19 years old and at college.
Chris Kenworthy about 8 years ago
Oddly, this got me thinking of my aftermarket car stereo, and how I’ve told myself I’m not going to get a new one with Bluetooth until either the stereo or my iPhone 4 dies. (I don’t use it as a phone anymore, but it’s a great media player especially because it talks to the car stereo so well.
Robert Wilson Premium Member about 8 years ago
I also remember the transition from black-and-white televisions to color, which was accelerated by the switch to color by the Bonanza and Wonderful World of Disney programs.
And then there were the stingy neighbors and relatives, usually elderly, who used to justify sticking with their B&W sets by claiming that watching color television sets gave them headaches.
cubswin2016 about 8 years ago
Although you don’t need color to watch Lucy or Dick Van Dyke.
Sisyphos about 8 years ago
Hey, Broomie, there’s all kinds of more modern TV tech-stuff: remote controls; flat screens; humongous screens; stereo sound; picture-in-picture (great for watching two shows at once); and of course that color (and it’s adjustable, too)!
chain gang charlie about 8 years ago
So why are the old “B” grade movies in black & white so much better than the “Great movies” of today…And the T.V. shows in B.W. generally much better.Perhaps the directors, cameramen, writers, even the actors knew they had to do much more to project a “color program” in your mind’s eye.
laughingkitty about 8 years ago
My dad didn’t want to get TV at all until he found my mom and siblings (I was not born yet) were spending all their time at the neighbor’s house watching TV, We did not get a color set until 1976, after the old TV died and needed an expensive repair. Cheaper to get a new one. Nobody repairs TV’s these days – we just get new ones.
jppjr about 8 years ago
I have a good friend whose Dad didn’t want a color set….the was color blind!!Like the old Spike Jones show….this program is brought to you in living black and white!!
Eclectic-1 about 8 years ago
Although color was available in 1948, It was Sunday night’s ‘Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color’ sponsored by RCA that really got color off the ground. Still, I remember what a thrill it was to watch B&W on our 1955 Emerson all vacuum tube set. Even as a 6 year old, I remember looking forward to ‘Playhouse’ 90 – the writing was that good.
cosman about 8 years ago
1968 20in. Admiral.. brand new, and the first show it played was Batman.. better days.