Hi Sandy,
No question is stupid!
Official color broadcasting started on Oct 1st 1967 in 625 SECAM (system L).
There were then only 2 channels. Later on, the first program (819 lines B&W) was duplicated in 625 color on UHF. When transmitters were set up over the entire country (it took 15 years) the 819 line service was closed in 1983.
Today, like England, 99% of terrestrial analogue broadcasting is on UHF.
SECAM L is due for closure in 2012, replaced by DVD-T digital terrestrial.
Methinks political issues will push back that planned cutoff date....
Best Regards
jhalphen@dial.oleane.com