[TV] BBC to switch off red button text in 2020

AmexRuislip · Sep 16, 2019

I certainly didnt see this news coming, bold decision to make any how!

The decision spells the end of reading headlines, football scores, weather, travel news and more on TV sets, 45 years after the launch of Ceefax.

Red button text launched in 1999, taking over as Ceefax was phased out.

TVs will still be able to access other red button services, like picking a stage to watch at Glastonbury or a court to watch at Wimbledon.

"From early 2020, viewers will no longer be able to access text-based BBC News and BBC Sport content by pressing red," a BBC spokesperson said.

"It's always a difficult decision to reduce services, and we don't take decisions like this lightly, but we have taken it because we have to balance the resources needed to maintain and develop this service with the need to update our systems to give people even better internet-based services.

"Viewers can still access this information on the BBC website, BBC News and Sport mobile apps - as well as 24-hour news on the BBC News Channel."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-49715314

Normal Rob · Sep 16, 2019

I was worried for a minute. I thought you meant subtitles.

Nottseagull · Sep 16, 2019

I remember choosing a TV set in the mid-80s. Teletext was a must-have for me, and I'd only have one with the mix facility, so updating of live scores could be superimposed on to the program you were watching. Cheapest 20 inch colour set was £199.99, three weeks' take-home pay for me at the time

drew · Sep 16, 2019

Cue a spate of luddites moaning about the BBC restricting choice!

father_and_son · Sep 16, 2019

I genuinely had no idea that this was still a thing. I thought when ceefax died that was the end of it. Is Teletext dead too or is that still going?

Nottseagull · Sep 17, 2019

father_and_son said:
I genuinely had no idea that this was still a thing. I thought when ceefax died that was the end of it. Is Teletext dead too or is that still going?

Teletext was the generic term. The BBC's version of it was simplistically called Ceefax but I can't remember what ITV's was.

I forgot, we have the www now so, so much easier to find out!

Apparently it's a contrived acronym, "Optional Reception of Announcements by Coded Line Electronics".

drew · Sep 17, 2019

Nottseagull said:
Teletext was the generic term. The BBC's version of it was called Ceefax but I can't remember what ITV's was.

I forgot, we

Oracle

beorhthelm · Sep 17, 2019

cant remember the last time i used red button. most usful thing i recall is that they create a 5-10 minute editted version of the Grand Prix, broadcast on one of the red button channels.

father_and_son · Sep 17, 2019

Nottseagull said:
Teletext was the generic term. The BBC's version of it was simplistically called Ceefax but I can't remember what ITV's was.

I forgot, we have the www now so, so much easier to find out!
View attachment 115342

Apparently it's a contrived acronym, "Optional Reception of Announcements by Coded Line Electronics".

I do recall the pre-cursor (Prestel) being available pre-WWW days. So much had changed since the 80s!

Official Old Man · Sep 17, 2019

Once again the BBC are going for the older generation. My Mum is 84 and has no idea how to use a laptop, smart phone or tablet and depends on the red button for a lot of information. In particular football.

Horton's halftime iceberg · Sep 17, 2019

My poor old Dad thats how he checks all the cricket scores.

schmunk · Sep 17, 2019

I remember the good times said:
Once again the BBC are going for the older generation. My Mum is 84 and has no idea how to use a laptop, smart phone or tablet and depends on the red button for a lot of information. In particular football.

Perhaps if someone took the time to show her...?

severnside gull · Sep 17, 2019

I’m switching off my licence fee

Horton's halftime iceberg · Sep 17, 2019

schmunk said:
Perhaps if someone took the time to show her...?

My Dad is not interesting in learning, he will just wait for the paper the next day. Old School.

studio150 · Sep 17, 2019

Horton's halftime iceberg said:
My Dad is not interesting in learning, he will just wait for the paper the next day. Old School.

Do papers still show the full scorecard from each game?

Mackenzie · Sep 17, 2019

Page 302 and 340 in the summer.

Horton's halftime iceberg · Sep 17, 2019

studio150 said:
Do papers still show the full scorecard from each game?

No not the one he gets, he talks about how the telegraph has the best cricket coverage but won't pay that much for a daily paper.

He used to buy it when he went down to Hove, but had to stop going as he cannot sit that long.

pearl · Sep 17, 2019

Horton's halftime iceberg said:
My poor old Dad thats how he checks all the cricket scores.

I use it for the weather. I like the regional maps

Whoislloydy · Sep 17, 2019

It's 2019, just check your phone.

Ninja Elephant · Sep 17, 2019

Is this inevitably going to become a carbon copy of the "Cashless Amex" thread?

Modern Day Tech people vs The "I don't want to change" crew.

There's good people on both sides.

Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

[TV] BBC to switch off red button text in 2020

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