Teletext set to switch off forever in January

Teletext will close its news and information service in January 2010, two years ahead of schedule, after the rise of the internet hastened its demise.

The service has also been hit by changing television viewing habits as an explosion in the number of channels fragmented audiences.

Associated Newspapers, a division of Daily Mail and General Trust, the owners of Teletext, had planned to halt the service in 2012.

The company also blamed “current economic conditions” for the decline in the service’s revenue.

It added: “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.”

For years, Teletext was a major source of breaking news to terrestrial television watchers as well as a destination for bargain hunting holidaymakers.

The more lucrative holiday service, available on Freeview, will continue to be broadcast, along with other commercial services.

Around 70 jobs could be lost at Teletext as a result of the changes, according to DMGT.

A spokesman for Associated said: “It is all very regrettable but it is not a sustainable model — something had to change.”

Teletext services are currently broadcast on ITV, Channel 4 and Channel Five, owned by RTL Group, which is in turn majority owned by Bertelsmann. (Via Times)