3:49pm Friday 17th July 2009
By Joanna Kilvington
Teletext's news and information services are to close next year with the loss of up to 70 jobs.
Teletext, which has its office in Chiswick Park, was due to end its analogue transmission in 2012 but this week said the date had been brought forward to January 2010.
Associated Newspapers, the national media division of Daily Mail and General Trust, revealed the decision had been made following a decrease in Teletext’s users and revenue.
Teletext’s group managing director, Mike Stewart said: “The continued fragmentation of television audiences and the boom in online use for news, information and commercial services, have contributed to a significant reduction in Teletext’s viewing figures over recent years.
“In turn the volume of commercial activity generated by this part of the business has fallen sharply, with revenue declining by 50 per cent since 2003.
“As a result Teletext’s television services have been loss-making for the last three years.”
He said it was "regrettable" there would be job losses as a result of the decision. About 70 jobs are at risk of redundancy and consultations are now being carried out with staff.
A Teletext spokesman said jobs would be from across the company and not just the Chiswick office.
Teletext’s holiday service will continue to broadcast on Freeview and its profitable travel websites will also continue to operate.
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