Is it almost the end for black and white televisions? Just 11,500 households still have license…(UK)

Mail on Sunday (UK) ^ | 13:38 EST, 5 January 2014 | Chris Brooke

[Olog-hai]

They are generally regarded as historic relics and part of a bygone era of broadcasting history. But even in today’s digital age, there are 11,550 households in the country still watching black and white television, official figures reveal.

The number of black and white licenses have dropped dramatically in recent years and the total has decreased by a further 12 percent over the past year. […]

The cost of a black and white TV license remains frozen at £49 ($80.37) until the BBC Charter Review in 2016. A color license costs £145.50 ($238.65). …

[puppypusher]

“You need a license in Britain to have a TV? That’s weird.”

Yea!you have to go to the post office to by the license.I’m surprised ourvown F.C.C. has’nt tried to do something like that to fund PBS.

[867V309]

I went to my rich neighbor's house to watch Bonanza in color, about 1963 or so. The CRT was round with top and bottom cut off horizontally.

[Secret Agent Man]

it’s how they pay for their state-run tv channels. been that way forever.

[Ms Mable]

Conservatives would be denied their TV license just like the Tea Party peeps were denied their tax exemption status from the IRS.

[listenhillary]

I took out a loan to buy my first color TV. It was a way to build my non-existent credit score.

[Secret Agent Man]

they have vans that detect if you have televisions on in your home, and if they find you have tv’s without licenses the fines are hefty.

[Secret Agent Man]

they still do that.

[Secret Agent Man]

ford got way better when they partnered with mazda in the early 90s. electrical systems got waaaaaaay better.

[naturalman1975]

Could be worse - Australia also has state run television and radio (the ABC) modelled on the BBC, and it’s paid for out of our taxes. At least in the UK, you can choose to avoid paying for it by not having a television - Australian’s don’t even get that choice. We have to pay whether we own a TV or not.

[2111USMC]

I remember when we got our first color TV.

[Shadowstrike]

Yeah, every once in awhile you’d get a Fix Or Repair Daily,
But..mostly they were First On Race Day cars.

As you can guess, I come from a long line of Ford owners.

[sickoflibs]

They rusted pretty fast too.

[uglybiker]

Now I know where Monty Python’s Cat Detectng Van came from.

The Looney Detector Van, you mean....

[Gay State Conservative]

I’m not sure I understand. People in the UK need a license to have a TV in their own homes?

Yes,it's to support the BBC which runs no ads.IIRC you also need a license for a radio as well (same reason) but I'm not 100% sure of that.

[Shadowstrike]

to be honest only had one that rusted quick, but she was a 1972.

[GATOR NAVY]

Go on YouTube and watch the UK TV Taxman confrontation videos-its awesome!

Search "bbc license goons" Lots of good videos come up.

[Gay State Conservative]

"One wants one's BBC !"

[Jed Eckert]

Be sure to also watch "I Led Three Lives".

Deals with American commies and sympathizers and how we used to deal with them circa late 40s mid 50s.

Now we elect them to political offices.

[Gay State Conservative]

Not everything BBC is bad.

A lot of what the BBC's done is great...including Jeremy Clarkson.I saw a portion of an episode of Top Gear (can't recall which one) in which he delivered a great,great line.In reviewing a French made car that he didn't like he proceeded to mention its many shortcomings and after having done so,as if to put a cherry on top,he said "and like everything French,it smokes" in that sarcastic British way of his.I wish I could find that episode just to hear that line again.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I’m surprised ourvown F.C.C. has’nt tried to do something like that to fund PBS.

Idea was brought up every so often in lower gov't circles but didn't get far as nobody cared what liberals thought back them.