Teletext has said it will shut down its main analogue services at the start of next year.

The company, owned by Daily Mail and General Trust, said that original plans to shut down in 2012, in line with digital switchover completion, have been shelved and that all news and information services would cease at the start of next year. Around 70 jobs will go as a result of this move.

Teletext Holidays and other commercial products will continue on Freeview as will its profitable travel websites.

The company said in a statement: "As anticipated, the continued fragmentation of television audiences and the growth in the use of the internet has resulted in a significant reduction in the audience and volume of commercial activity generated by the television services.

"In addition, Ofcom has indicated that it is not persuaded of the need for public intervention in the delivery of a public commercial Teletext service beyond 2014 and this has also contributed to the decision to discontinue the public service. Current economic conditions have accelerated this process, leading to today's announcement."

Teletext is closing after 17 years as ITV and Channel 4''s teletext provider and ahs also provided the teletext service for Five. Teletext replaced ORACLE at the start of 1993. Teletext has been loosing money on its TV services for the last three years and ahs seen a 50% drop in revenues since 2003.

Comments

Add New Search

Wilson fraser  - Teletext   | 20-07-2009 12:20:21 How will this affect digital viewers on Freview and Sky? Will any text service remain on ITV, Four and Five. What about sub titles?

gordon holt   | 31-10-2009 05:18:44 what about BAMBOOZLE

Write comment
Name:
Email:	do not notifynotify
Title:
	Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

Powered by !JoomlaComment 3.26

3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."