Nearly 50 households still spurn colourTV

New figures released by TV Licensing show that 49 households in Lanarkshire are still watching television on black and white sets – after more than 50 years of colour transmissions.

More than 400 black and white licences are still in force in Scotland and over 7000 across the UK as people opt for nostalgic monochrome TV sets rather than enjoying modern classics like The Bodyguard and Killing Eve in full colour.

Despite an increase in the use of smart televisions – as well as tablets and smartphones to access TV content – a surprising number continue to spurn 21st century technology, although figures are steadily declining.

According to this year’s data, Glasgow leads the way with 105 black and white licences, followed by Lanarkshire with 49 monochrome licences and Edinburgh with 41.

Fergus Reid, spokesperson for TV Licensing, said: “Over half of the UK’s TVs now connect to the internet, but whether you watch in black and white on a 50-year-old TV set or in colour on a tablet, you need to be covered by a TV licence to watch or record programmes as they are broadcast.”