Crisis forces early Teletext closure

Associated Newspapers has announced the closure of its analogue Teletext service in January 2010, bringing an end to one of the UK’s most popular and profitable TV services. In addition, Teletext will halt a number of its digital television services from the same date.

Broadcast on Britain’s main terrestrial commercial channels ITV, Channel 4 and Channel Five, the service provided news and weather reports, football results and film listings. Paid for by advertising, the service was especially successful with travel related services.

The holiday service on Freeview, channel 101 and other commercial services on Freeview channels 102 – 107 will continue to broadcast. Teletext’s successful and profitable travel websites will also continue.

The company, owned by Daily Mail and General Trust, said Teletext transmission would end in January 2010, rather than 2012 as it had planned, because the economic downturn had accelerated a fall in audiences and revenue.

“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,” the company said in a statement.

“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.”

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