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The Herald, 10 October, 1980
COLOUR television signals were beamed from ZBC’s Salisbury transmitter for the first time yesterday morning, but the corporation is not about to launch a colour service.
The corporation was testing a new colour generator which beams a new-look test pattern used to help technicians adjust receivers.
The test pattern was monitored on several colour receivers installed at the WRS factory in Hanover Road in the industrial sites yesterday.
The technical manager (transmitters) for ZBC Mr Royston Colam, was quick to discount any suggestion that colour television was about to be launched in Zimbabwe.
“We were testing for the first time a new colour generator which will replace the old checkerboard test pattern, which is obsolete”, he explained. “Naturally we aim to introduce colour TV one day and our policy is to buy compatible equipment when replacing old units.
“In fact, it would be too costly to buy a black and white or monochrome generator today because it would have to be specially made.”
ZBC will have to replace its 20-year-old Salisbury transmitter before it can beam colour signals successfully. Mr Colam said the old transmitter “just doesn’t have the performance to beam colour signals, although some of our newer transmitters will”. Asked how the WRS technicians were able to receive the colour test pattern, Mr Colam said the “more expensive” type of colour receivers will carry the colour picture “but most sets cannot”.
A brochure explaining how to use the new colour test pattern is to be distributed by the Zimbabwe Domestic Electrical Association. The association’s chairman, Mr Darby Domoney, said yesterday: “Our members welcome the new test pattern, which is a big improvement over the old one and will provide much more information for technicians.”
WRS’s technical director, Mr Derek Russell, said his company could supply colour television receivers within three months, “given Government approval and the necessary foreign currency”.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
The introduction of colour television in Zimbabwe was a significant milestone in the country’s broadcasting history, marking a transition from black-and-white broadcasts that had been the norm since television was first introduced.
The journey towards colour television began shortly after Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, as the new Government sought to modernise and enhance its media capabilities.
The transition from black-and-white to colour television officially took place in 1984. This marked a crucial advancement as it allowed local audiences to enjoy programming that met international standards for quality and presentation.
The introduction of colour broadcasts not only enhanced viewer experience, but also positioned Zimbabwe’s media landscape more competitively on a global scale.
Bringing colour television to Zimbabwe involved a series of steps including governmental approval, procurement of compatible broadcasting equipment, addressing consumer demand for television sets, and ultimately launching colour broadcasts by 1984.
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