<P> This is a list of when the first color television broadcasts were transmitted to the general public . Non-public field tests and closed - circuit demonstrations are not included . </P> <P> Countries and territories which never had black and white television (i.e. the first broadcasts were in color), such as Zanzibar, Brunei, Botswana, Laos, South Africa, Grenada, Namibia, Macau, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Saint Lucia, Palau, Bhutan, Vanuatu, Faroe Islands, Malawi, Antigua and Barbuda, The Gambia, Tonga, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines . Liechtenstein, San Marino, Somalia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Dominica, Tanzania and Nepal are not included in this list . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Country </Th> <Th> Year </Th> <Th> Network or channel </Th> <Th> Color system </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Afghanistan </Td> <Td> 1977 / 1983 </Td> <Td> RTA </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> First experimental color broadcasts in late 1977 and stalled in 1979 due to the Soviet War in Afghanistan . Returned by at least 1983 in full service . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Albania </Td> <Td> 1981 </Td> <Td> RTSH </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts had been available from Yugoslavia since 1971, and Italy since 1977, Frequencies have been occasionally jammed due to censorship of some programs in Albania in that time . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Algeria </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> RTA </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> RTA was transmitted in the older French 819 - line standard System E, until 1973 when it started broadcasting in 625 - line standard System B . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> American Samoa </Td> <Td> 1969 </Td> <Td> KVZK - 2 </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> KVZK - 2 was a National Educational Television affiliate . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Angola </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> TPA </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Argentina </Td> <Td> 1978 / 1980 </Td> <Td> LS 82 Canal 7 </Td> <Td> PAL - N </Td> <Td> Introduced for the 1978 FIFA World Cup . Regular full color transmission began at midnight on Thursday 1 May 1980 . In 1969, Canal 13 made experimental transmissions in NTSC, but did not receive government approval . Subsequently, the project was cancelled . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Armenian SSR </Td> <Td> 1973 / 1978 </Td> <Td> Armenia 1 </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> First transmission was the May Day Parade in Yerevan . Full - time color transmissions since Christmas Eve 1978 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Australia </Td> <Td> 1967 / 1972 (original launch date) / 1974 - 75 </Td> <Td> ATV - 0 (now ATV - 10). </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Permanent color telecasts since Saturday, March 1, 1975, having been originally scheduled for 1972 . First closed - circuit color test broadcast on Thursday, June 15, 1967 with live coverage of the Pakenham races . Many television shows were produced and broadcast in color between 1972--1974, with limited color telecasts from mid-1974 on . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Austria </Td> <Td> 1969 / 1975 </Td> <Td> ORF </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> First transmission was the Eurovision broadcast of New Year Concert from Vienna on Wednesday, January 1, 1969 . Full - time color transmissions since January 15, 1975 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Azerbaijan SSR </Td> <Td> 1973 / 1978 </Td> <Td> AzTV </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> First color broadcasts in Azerbaijan started in 1973 using the SECAM standard . Full color service started in 1978 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bahamas </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> ZNS - TV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Color transmissions had been available from Miami since 1954 (WTVJ) and West Palm Beach since the late - 1950s </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bahrain </Td> <Td> 1972 </Td> <Td> Bahrain TV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bangladesh </Td> <Td> 1980 </Td> <Td> BTV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Barbados </Td> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> CBC </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Belize </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> Channel 7 </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts have been available from Mexico since 1967 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Benin </Td> <Td> 1982 </Td> <Td> OTRB </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Byelorussian SSR </Td> <Td> 1961 </Td> <Td> Belteleradio </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> The first Soviet Bloc country and first country in Eastern Europe to introduce color television in 1961 . Full color service came around 1979 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Belgium </Td> <Td> 1967 / 1971 </Td> <Td> RTB / BRT </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts from France (SECAM), Germany and Netherlands (PAL) were available since 1967 . Early receivers were very costly owing to multiple standards: PAL / SECAM / 625 lines and monochrome / 819 lines </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bermuda </Td> <Td> 1968 </Td> <Td> ZBM - TV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> ZBM was an affiliate of the U.S. network CBS . Color broadcasts have been available from the United States since 1958 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bolivia </Td> <Td> 1977 / 1980 </Td> <Td> TV Boliviana </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Experimental color broadcasts began in 1977 . Full - time color arrived in 1980 . Color broadcasts have been available from Brazil since 1970, but were PAL . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bosnia and Herzegovina </Td> <Td> 1971 / 1972 / 1973--1978 </Td> <Td> Televizija Sarajevo </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> First color transmission came from Belgrade in 1971, local service began in 1972 and in 1973 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Brazil </Td> <Td> 1970 / 1972 / 1973--1978 </Td> <Td> Bandeirantes / Globo </Td> <Td> PAL - M </Td> <Td> First transmissions (unofficial and just for specific programs) were made between 1962 and 1963 in the city of São Paulo by Rede Tupi and also by Rede Excelsior, both using NTSC . Tests for the regular transmissions began in 1970 with the Mexico's FIFA World Cup, and the first official transmission was the coverage of the 12th Caxias do Sul Grape Festival in February 19, 1972 . Limited color transmissions from 1973 to 1978 . Full - time color transmissions since 1978 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bulgaria </Td> <Td> 1970 / 1977 </Td> <Td> BNT </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Full color transmissions achieved by 1977 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Burma </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> MRTV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> The last country in Southeast Asia to introduce color television . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Burundi </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> RTNB </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kampuchea </Td> <Td> 1981 / 1985 </Td> <Td> National Television of Kampuchea </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> Full - time color transmissions started in 1985, switched to PAL from 1991 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Canada </Td> <Td> 1966 </Td> <Td> (CBC, SRC), CTV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Officially launched in both English and French at 12: 01 a.m. on July 1, 1966, at the beginning of Canada's 100th year as a nation . Color broadcasts from the United States had been available since the mid-1950s . A mandatory transition to color for all transmitters took place between 1969 and 1976 on all English and French channels . CBC began Full - time color broadcasts in 1974 . Full - time color officially achieved between 1976--1977 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Central African Republic </Td> <Td> 1982 </Td> <Td> RTC </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Chad </Td> <Td> 1982 </Td> <Td> Télé Tchad </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Chile </Td> <Td> 1978 </Td> <Td> TVN, Canal 13 </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> First transmission in color was in the 13th Viña del Mar Festival, but only for export until the 18th edition . First nationwide color show transmitted was Esta noche fiesta of Canal 13 on Monday, April 10, 1978 . First news report in color was shown at Teletrece on April 12, 1978 . Full - time color transmissions since mid 1979 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> China </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> CCTV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Full - time color transmissions since 1984 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Colombia </Td> <Td> 1979 / 1982 </Td> <Td> Inravisión </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Test broadcasts in SECAM were held in 1966 . Test for the regular transmissions began in 1971 with the coverage of that year's Pan American Games held in Cali . In 1974, the inauguration of West Germany's FIFA World Cup was aired in color in closed circuit at two colosseums in Bogota and Cali . Regular color transmissions since Saturday, December 1, 1979 . Full - time color transmissions since 1982 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Congo (Brazzaville) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> TeleCongo </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Costa Rica </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> TICA - TV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Croatia </Td> <Td> 1972 </Td> <Td> Televizija Zagreb </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cuba </Td> <Td> 1958 / 1975 </Td> <Td> Tele - Color, S.A. Tele Rebelde (1975) </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Ended in 1959 as a result of the Cuban Revolution; returned in 1975 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cyprus </Td> <Td> 1976 </Td> <Td> CyBC </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> ČST </Td> <Td> SECAM PAL </Td> <Td> Regular colour broadcasts started in May 9, 1973 on second channel and in May 9, 1975 on first channel . Full color transition in late 1970's, switched to PAL broadcasting in 1993 . ČST started color experiments in late 60's in PAL . After Russian invasion in 1968 SECAM was chosen for broadcasting, but not for production . TV studios worked in PAL and than it was transcoded for SECAM broadcasting till 1993 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Denmark </Td> <Td> 1968 / 1970 </Td> <Td> Danmarks Radio </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> First introduced for the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France . The national broadcaster's programming transitioned to color throughout 1969 and "color tests" were officially ended on Wednesday, April 1, 1970 . Color broadcasts had been available from Germany since 1967 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Djibouti </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> RTD </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dominican Republic </Td> <Td> 1969 </Td> <Td> Color Visión </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ecuador </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Ecuavisa Teleamazonas </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Egypt </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> ETV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Equatorial Guinea </Td> <Td> 1976 </Td> <Td> RNGE </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> El Salvador </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> YSU - TV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Estonian SSR </Td> <Td> 1967 / 1972 </Td> <Td> ETV </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> First color broadcasts came from Moscow; first local color program was transmitted on Saturday, December 30, 1972 . Transitioned from SECAM to PAL 1992--1999 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ethiopia </Td> <Td> 1979 </Td> <Td> ETV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Finland </Td> <Td> 1970 / 1977 </Td> <Td> YLE / MTV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> First test broadcast in color was the President Urho Kekkonen's New Year speech in 1969 . First experimental color broadcast in 1970 . Full - time color broadcasts since 1977 . Color Broadcasts have been available from the Åland Islands since 1969 where there is a Sveriges Television AB (Sweden Television) transmitter on the islands, and the Soviet Union since 1967 but transmissions were in SECAM . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> France </Td> <Td> 1967 / 1976 / 1983 </Td> <Td> ORTF </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Introduced on La Deuxième Chaîne at 2: 15pm (14: 15) on Sunday, October 1, 1967 . The first channel TF1 remained B&W for years due to being transmitted in the older 819 - line standard: its transition to color 625 - line began on Thursday, January 1, 1976 and the full nationwide color coverage was only achieved in 1983 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> French Polynesia </Td> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> RFO (Télé Tahiti, now Polynésie la Première) </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> French Guiana </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> RFO (Guyane RFO TV) </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Gabon </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> RTG </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Georgian SSR </Td> <Td> 1975--1976 / 1984 </Td> <Td> Georgian Public Broadcaster </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Early color broadcasts came from Moscow since at least 1975 and 1976 during certain events . The last Soviet Bloc country to introduce color television in 1984 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> East Germany </Td> <Td> 1969 </Td> <Td> DFF </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Introduced on Friday, October 3, 1969 on the new second television channel launched for that purpose with a symbolic launch button pressed by Walter Ulbricht on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the GDR on Tuesday, October 7 . The television tower in East Berlin was also opened that day . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> West Germany </Td> <Td> 1967 </Td> <Td> ARD / ZDF </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced on both channels simultaneously at 9: 30am on Friday, August 25, 1967 with a symbolic launch button pressed by Willy Brandt on the International Radio and Television Fair in West Berlin . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ghana </Td> <Td> 1980 </Td> <Td> GTV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Gibraltar </Td> <Td> 1969 </Td> <Td> GBC </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Greece </Td> <Td> 1976 / 1977--1979 </Td> <Td> ERT </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Test color broadcasts began in 1976 . Full color broadcasts started on 1977 to 1979 . ERT switched to PAL in 1992 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Greenland </Td> <Td> 1984 / 1987 / 1990 </Td> <Td> KNR </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts from Canada had been available since 1972, but were NTSC . Private transmitters were built to receive TV signals from Canada long before Greenland had their native TV service which came into broadcast in 1982 . Full - time color service came in 1984, remote areas continued to broadcast in black and white until c. 1987--1990 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guadeloupe </Td> <Td> 1972 </Td> <Td> RFO (Guadeloupe 1ère) </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guinea </Td> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> RTG </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts from the Ivory Coast had been available since 1970, but were SECAM . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guinea - Bissau </Td> <Td> 1981 </Td> <Td> RTGB </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guatemala </Td> <Td> 1970 </Td> <Td> RTG </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> First Central American country to introduce color television; color broadcasts available from Mexico since 1967 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guam </Td> <Td> 1970 </Td> <Td> KUAM - TV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> KUAM was a primary NBC affiliate that also carried some programming from ABC and CBS . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Haiti </Td> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> Télé Haïti </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Honduras </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> Canal 3 Honduras </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hong Kong </Td> <Td> 1969 / 1975 </Td> <Td> TVB </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced for the Festival of Hong Kong in December 1969 . Full - time color broadcasts since 1975 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hungary </Td> <Td> 1971 / 1975 </Td> <Td> Magyar Televízió </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Full color broadcasts introduced in 1975 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Iceland </Td> <Td> 1974--1976 </Td> <Td> RÚV (Sjónvarpið) </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Full - time color broadcasts since 1974 to 1976 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> India </Td> <Td> 1978 / 1979--1981 / 1982 </Td> <Td> Doordarshan </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Experimental color broadcasts began in 1978 . Color broadcasts from Pakistan had been available since 1977 . Full color broadcasts were introduced in 1979 and 1981 to 1982 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Indonesia </Td> <Td> 1977 </Td> <Td> TVRI </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Full - time color broadcasts began on Tuesday 24 August 1982 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Iran </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> NIRT </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Iraq </Td> <Td> 1968 </Td> <Td> RTI </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> First Muslim country to introduce color television . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ireland </Td> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> RTÉ </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced for the Eurovision Song Contest 1971 in Dublin on Saturday, April 3, 1971; color broadcasts from United Kingdom available since 1967--69 . <P> Full - time color broadcasts began in 1976 . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Israel </Td> <Td> 1977 / 1983 </Td> <Td> IBA / IETV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced for the coverage of the Egyptian president's visit to Israel in November 1977, then reintroduced for the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 in Jerusalem on Saturday, March 31, 1979 . Gradual transition to full - time color transmissions from 1980 to 1983 . Full - time color transmissions since February 1983 . Color broadcasts from Jordan and Egypt had been available since 1974 and Lebanon since 1975 . Since color TVs were considered more expensive, the government ordered removing the color signals, in the name of public equality . Engineers have managed to produce a device that extrapolates the colors from programs that were originally shot in color, and such devices were sold to the thousands . Major television networks in Israel have been filming programs in color for foreign audiences since at least 1974 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Italy </Td> <Td> 1972 / 1977 </Td> <Td> RAI </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduction temporarily stalled by political turmoil . Color broadcasts from France (SECAM) had been available since 1967, and from Austria (PAL) since 1969 . Privately operated transmitter chains made these signals available as far as Rome . First color test was in 1972 Summer Olympic Games . The Sanremo Music Festival began to be broadcast in color in 1973, as well as, in the same year, the Jeux Sans Frontières . Full - time color transmissions started on Tuesday, February 1, 1977 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ivory Coast </Td> <Td> 1970 </Td> <Td> RTI </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jamaica </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> JBC </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts have been available from Haiti since 1971 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Japan </Td> <Td> 1960 </Td> <Td> NHK / NTV TBS YTV ABC </Td> <Td> NTSC - J </Td> <Td> The first Asian country to introduce color television, on Saturday, September 10, 1960 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jordan </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> JTV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kazakh SSR </Td> <Td> 1977 </Td> <Td> Kazakhstan </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> Full color transmissions introduced in the 1980s . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kenya </Td> <Td> 1978 </Td> <Td> KBC </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> North Korea </Td> <Td> 1977--1980 </Td> <Td> KCTV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Full color broadcasts were introduced by 1977 to 1980 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South Korea </Td> <Td> 1975 / 1981 </Td> <Td> KBS / MBC </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Test color broadcasts began in 1975 . Full - time color broadcasts since 1981 . Color broadcasts have been available from North Korea since 1974 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kuwait </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> KTV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kirghiz SSR </Td> <Td> 1981 </Td> <Td> Kyrgyz Television </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Experimental color broadcast for the 1980 Summer Olympics . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Latvian SSR </Td> <Td> 1968 / 1974 </Td> <Td> LTV </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> First color broadcasts came from Moscow . First local color program was transmitted on Monday, January 28, 1974 . Switched from SECAM to PAL on February 2, 1998 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Lebanon </Td> <Td> 1967 / 1975 </Td> <Td> CLT / Télé Liban </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> In 1967, CLT became the third television station in the world after the Soviet Union and France to broadcast in color, utilizing the French SECAM technology . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Liberia </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> LBS </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Libya </Td> <Td> 1976 </Td> <Td> Al - Libyah TV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Lithuanian SSR </Td> <Td> 1968 </Td> <Td> LRT </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> Used SECAM as part of the USSR 1968--1990, and 1990--1997 . PAL has been in use since 1997 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Luxembourg </Td> <Td> 1972 </Td> <Td> Compangnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion </Td> <Td> PAL SECAM </Td> <Td> The then only channel for audiences in Luxembourg, France and Belgium originally used the French / Belgian 819 - line B&W standard . After Belgium and France opted for different color systems, Luxembourg broadcast two versions of the same channel . All later RTL channels aimed at French -, German - and Dutch - speaking audiences in Europe adopted the standards of their target markets . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Macedonia </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Televizija Skopje </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Madagascar </Td> <Td> 1977 </Td> <Td> MBS </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Malaysia </Td> <Td> 1978 / 1979--1981 / 1982 </Td> <Td> RTM </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced in Peninsular Malaysia on Thursday 28 December 1978 and in Sabah and Sarawak on Sunday 31 August 1980 . Color had been available from Southern Thailand since 1972 and Singapore since 1974 . Full - time color broadcasts began on 1979 to 1981 to Friday 1 January 1982 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Maldives </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> TVM </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color had been available from India since 1982 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mali </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> ORTM </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Malta </Td> <Td> 1981 </Td> <Td> TVM </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts from Italy had been available since 1977, full color service began in 1981 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Martinique </Td> <Td> 1969 </Td> <Td> RFO (Martinique 1ère) </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mauritania </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> TV de Mauritanie </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mauritius </Td> <Td> 1978 </Td> <Td> MBC </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Color television arrived on a full - time schedule in 1978 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mexico </Td> <Td> 1963 </Td> <Td> Canal 5 Telesistema Mexicano (now Televisa) </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Launched Friday, February 8, 1963 with the program Paraiso Infantil . Color had been available previously in a few border cities from the United States, on a limited basis . Full - time color transmissions started with the 1968 Summer Olympic Games . Curiously, Mexico had its own system of color television, invented by Guillermo González, prior to NTSC adoption, which would be used in the 1964 Olympic Games . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Moldavian SSR </Td> <Td> 1978 </Td> <Td> TeleRadio - Moldova </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Monaco </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> TMC </Td> <Td> PAL / SECAM </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts from France had been available since 1967 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mongolia </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> MNB </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Montenegro </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> JRT / Televizija Titograd (now TV CG 1) </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Morocco </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> RTM </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> First test transmission was in 1972 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mozambique </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> TVM </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Netherlands </Td> <Td> 1967 </Td> <Td> NPO </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced on both national channels on Thursday, September 21, 1967 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Netherlands Antilles </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> TeleCuraçao </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> New Caledonia </Td> <Td> 1972 </Td> <Td> RFO (France Ô - New Caledonia) </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> New Caledonia first broadcast in color for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and a Chinese program in 1973, full color broadcasts became official in 1978 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> New Zealand </Td> <Td> 1973 / 1975 </Td> <Td> NZBC </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced in November 1973, as part of preparations for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games, held in Christchurch in February 1974 . Full - time color was achieved by December 1975 . Color broadcasts have been available from Australia in parts of New Zealand since the early 1970s . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nicaragua </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> Televicentro Canal 2 </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Niger </Td> <Td> 1979 </Td> <Td> Télé Sahel </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts had been available from Nigeria from 1974, but were PAL . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nigeria </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> WNTV (now called the NTA) </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Norway </Td> <Td> 1972 / 1975 </Td> <Td> NRK </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Experimental color broadcasts introduced for the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France . Regular test transmissions from Saturday, January 1, 1972 . Full - time color broadcasts since Wednesday, January 1, 1975 . Color broadcasts had been available from Sweden since 1970, in parts of Norway and Finland since 1969 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Oman </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> Oman TV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Pakistan </Td> <Td> 1977 </Td> <Td> PTV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Full - time color transmissions since 1982 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Panama </Td> <Td> 1972 </Td> <Td> NTP </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Paraguay </Td> <Td> 1979 </Td> <Td> TV Cerro Corá </Td> <Td> PAL - N </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Peru </Td> <Td> 1978 </Td> <Td> TV Perú América Televisión Panamericana Televisión </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> First color test transmission was done in 1967 by Panamericana Televisión for a soap opera but for economic and political reasons the project was canceled . Channel 7 made test broadcasts with their own content since 1977 that became official on January 17, 1978 when color standard adopted and official broadcasts were authorised . The first color broadcast was the coverage of the 1978 election . América Televisión and Panamericana Televisión began their regular color broadcasting with the broadcast of the 1978 Argentina's FIFA World Cup . Transition completed on October 1, 1980 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Philippines </Td> <Td> 1966 </Td> <Td> ABS - CBN </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> First color test transmission was in 1963 . Commercial launch in June 1966 using RCA color; and full - time color transmissions began in 1971 when color sets became more widespread in the Manila area and suburbs . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Poland </Td> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> TVP </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> First time color program was broadcast on March 16, 1971 & regular broadcasting began on December 6, 1971 for 6th PUWP congress . The 1972 Munich Olympic Games Use Color in SECAM . Transitioned to PAL on January 1, 1994 for all TVP channels except for TVP1 which transitioned on January 1, 1995 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Portugal </Td> <Td> 1976 / 1980 </Td> <Td> RTP </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> First experimental broadcasts for the coverage of the 1976 election and The 1976 Montreal Olympic Games . Introduced for the Portuguese version of Jeux Sans Frontières on Wednesday, September 5, 1979; color broadcasts from Spain available since 1972 . Full - color transmissions started March 7, 1980 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Puerto Rico </Td> <Td> 1979 </Td> <Td> All </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced for the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 in Jerusalem on March 31, 1979 . Full - time color transmissions since 1985 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Qatar </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> QBS </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts from Bahrain had been available since 1973 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Réunion </Td> <Td> 1972 </Td> <Td> RFO (1ère Réunion) </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Introduced for the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Romania </Td> <Td> 1985 </Td> <Td> TVR </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Despite being in the Eastern Bloc, Romania used PAL and chose not to adopt SECAM, unlike the other Warsaw Pact countries, and was introduced in time for the 39th anniversary of King Michael's Coup in 1983 . Full - time color broadcasts since 1984 and 1985 to 1990 . Romania became the last country to introduce color television . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rwanda </Td> <Td> 1982 </Td> <Td> ORINFOR </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Saint Christopher - Nevis - Anguilla </Td> <Td> 1982 </Td> <Td> ZIZ - TV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts have been available from Guadeloupe since 1972, but were SECAM . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Saint Pierre and Miquelon </Td> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> RFO (1eré SPM TV; Previously known as ORTF) </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Color transmissions had been available from Newfoundland and Labrador since 1967, but were NTSC . There are transmitters in SPM that can carry a signal from Newfoundland and Labrador which converts it to SECAM from NTSC and in some cases, In Fortune, Newfoundland, 1eré is converted to NTSC by a transmitter that is placed there . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Saudi Arabia </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> SAGTS </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Senegal </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> RTS </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sierra Leone </Td> <Td> 1978 </Td> <Td> SLBS </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Singapore </Td> <Td> 1974--1975 </Td> <Td> Radio Television Singapore (RTS) </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Test transmissions began for the 1974 Tehran Asian Games and officially introduced on 8 July for the 1974 World Cup Final . Full - time color broadcasts began on 1 November 1975 and from 1976 to 1977 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Slovakia </Td> <Td> 1970 / 1973 </Td> <Td> ČST </Td> <Td> SECAM PAL </Td> <Td> First color transmission in 1970 during World Ski Championship which was broadcast in PAL . Adopted SECAM in 1973 with full color transition in late 1970s . Switched to PAL in 1993 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Slovenia </Td> <Td> 1976 / 1976 </Td> <Td> Televizija Ljubljana </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> First Testing The 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, Full Tine Color Transition in 1977 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Spain </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> RTVE </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts had been available from France since 1967, but were SECAM . First color test was in 1972 . Full - time color broadcasts since 1977, although monochrome commercials continued to be made until 1978 . The Eurovision Song Contest 1969 in Madrid was a color production, but it was televised in black - and - white to the local audience . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sudan </Td> <Td> 1976 </Td> <Td> Sudan TV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Suriname </Td> <Td> 1977 </Td> <Td> STVS </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sweden </Td> <Td> 1970 </Td> <Td> Sveriges Radio TV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Test transmissions started on Wednesday, December 14, 1966 . Regular color service and color license fee introduced Wednesday, April 1, 1970 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Switzerland </Td> <Td> 1968 </Td> <Td> SBC </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Switzerland used PAL to broadcast the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, color transmissions had been available from France and Germany since 1967 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Syria </Td> <Td> 1980 </Td> <Td> STV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Taiwan </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> CTV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Full - time color transmissions since 1975 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tajik SSR </Td> <Td> 1982 </Td> <Td> TVT </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Experimental color broadcast for the 1980 Summer Olympics . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Thailand </Td> <Td> 1969 </Td> <Td> Channel 7 </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Although television in Thailand originally employed a 525 - line screen (System M, US standard at the time), the country opted for PAL color, which necessitated a conversion to system B (625 lines), starting with Channel 7 in November 1967 . Regional stations converted between 1972 and 1975 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Togo </Td> <Td> 1979 </Td> <Td> TVT </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Trinidad and Tobago </Td> <Td> 1969 </Td> <Td> TTT </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tunisia </Td> <Td> 1976 </Td> <Td> RTT </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts have been available from Italy since 1972 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Turkey </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> TRT </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Test transmissions started with the New Year's Eve celebrations on Thursday, December 31, 1981 and 1 January 1982; full color television did not start until Sunday, July 1, 1984 . Color broadcasts from Greece had been available since 1976 and Bulgaria since at least 1971 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Turkmen SSR </Td> <Td> 1970 </Td> <Td> Turkmen Television </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> First Central Asian country to introduce color television . Introduced on Saturday, October 31, 1970 in preparation for the start of Ramadan . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Uganda </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> UTV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ukrainian SSR </Td> <Td> 1967 / 1975 </Td> <Td> UT - 1 </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> First transmission came from Moscow in 1967, Ukraine uses SECAM in for the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games . Local color broadcasts began in 1968 and 1969 to 1975 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United Arab Emirates </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> UAE - TV </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United Kingdom </Td> <Td> 1967 / 1969 / 1976 </Td> <Td> BBC 2 (1967) BBC 1 (1969) ITV (1969) </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced on BBC 2 for Wimbledon coverage on Saturday, July 1, 1967 . The launch of the BBC 2 "full" color service took place on December 2, 1967 . Some British TV programs, however, had been produced in color even before the introduction of color television in 1967, for the purpose of sales to American, Canadian, and Filipino networks . Full - time color broadcasts since 1969 . Full nationwide color broadcasting achieved in 1976, when BBC East (Norwich) became the last region to adopt colour for regional broadcasts and locally - produced programmes . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United States </Td> <Td> 1950 </Td> <Td> CBS </Td> <Td> CBS </Td> <Td> Field - sequential color system; experimental; ended 1951 . The first country with black and white transmission to introduce color television . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United States </Td> <Td> 1953 </Td> <Td> NBC CBS </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Dot sequential system . The US began a gradual transition to color in late 1953 . The first color TV sets were very expensive and the audience for color was accordingly very small, so only specials and a handful of regularly scheduled shows aired in color during the 1950s . Market penetration slowly increased as more affordable sets and more color programming became available . A tipping point came in 1965, when the commercial networks first aired the majority of their prime - time shows in color . By the end of 1966, prime - time was all - color, but an ever - dwindling number of daytime, local and educational programs continued in black - and - white for a few more years . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United States - Alaska </Td> <Td> 1966 </Td> <Td> KENI - TV (now KTUU) </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> First program in color, on Monday, September 19, 1966, was the premiere episode of That Girl, an ABC show . KENI was a primary affiliate of both NBC and ABC . Transitioned to full color service by 1972 . Color broadcasts have been available from the USSR since 1967 but were SECAM . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United States - Hawaii </Td> <Td> 1965 </Td> <Td> KONA - TV, now KHON - TV; KHVH - TV, now KITV; KGMB </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> KHVH was an ABC affiliate, KGMB was CBS, and KONA was NBC . Transitioned to full color service around 1969 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Soviet Union Russia </Td> <Td> 1967 / 1975 </Td> <Td> Soviet Central Television (Now Channel One (Russia)) </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Introduced specifically for the 50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the October Revolution . Full - time colorcasts began with the Revolution's 58th anniversary, in 1975 . Some parts of the USSR received color from Alaska since 1966 in some circumstances when signals were not jammed in some parts and was received by contraband receivers to pick up signals . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Upper Volta </Td> <Td> 1976 </Td> <Td> Volta Vision </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> This country is now known as Burkina Faso . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Uruguay </Td> <Td> 1981 </Td> <Td> CXB - 10 </Td> <Td> PAL - N </Td> <Td> Introduced for the 1980 Mundialito but locally broadcast in B&W . Local color broadcasting started in 1981 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Uzbek SSR </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> MTRK </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> Experimental color broadcast for the 1980 Summer Olympics . The last Central Asian country to introduce color television . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Venezuela </Td> <Td> 1974--1980 </Td> <Td> RCTV Venevision </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> Color tests were made during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, West Germany . Color television arrived on a full - time schedule on Monday 1 January 1973 and 1974 to Saturday 1 December 1979 by TVN5 . Transition completed on Sunday 1 June 1980 . Color broadcasts have been available from Trinidad and Tobago since 1969 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Vietnam </Td> <Td> 1977 </Td> <Td> VTV </Td> <Td> SECAM / PAL </Td> <Td> The first color television program aired on Tết . Color televisions were available only in big cities until the late 1980s . Switched to PAL from 1990 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> U.S. Virgin Islands </Td> <Td> 1968 </Td> <Td> WBNB - TV </Td> <Td> NTSC </Td> <Td> WBNB was a CBS affiliate whose first color broadcasts took place during the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico . This station was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> North Yemen </Td> <Td> 1979 </Td> <Td> NYRTC </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South Yemen </Td> <Td> 1981 </Td> <Td> SYRTC </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Color broadcasts had been available from North Yemen since 1979 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Yugoslavia Serbia </Td> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> JRT / Televizija Beograd (now RTS1) </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> Introduced on the launch of the second TVB channel (TVB 2), as it was the first Yugoslav channel to start in color . From the late 1970s, TVB 1 switches to color, thus making all channels broadcast in color . (both TVB 1 and TVB 2, as they were only the channels available in that time) Full - time color broadcasts in SR Serbia began on May 25, 1979 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Zaire </Td> <Td> 1980 </Td> <Td> OZRT </Td> <Td> SECAM </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Zambia </Td> <Td> 1977 </Td> <Td> ZNBC </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Zimbabwe </Td> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> ZBC </Td> <Td> PAL </Td> <Td> The last country in Africa to introduce color television . Color broadcasts have been available from Zambia since 1977 and South Africa since 1976 . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Country </Th> <Th> Year </Th> <Th> Network or channel </Th> <Th> Color system </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr>

When did color tv come out in nz