As we reported in December 2009, the digital text service from Teletext vanished from our screens. The owners, Associated Newspapers, stated that the service had been making a loss and that there was no longer a viable business model under which the service could continue. The service finally switched off on the 16th of December 2009.

That’s not the end of the story though, as some teletext services from Teletext Ltd are still being broadcast, notably Teletext Holidays (which presumably is still able to generate some cash) and some services for Channel 4.

A couple of days ago, Ofcom, the UK regulators, announced that it has revoked Teletext Ltd’s licence to provide a public teletext service. The reason? Teletext is no longer providing news and regional content. Ofcom contacted Teletext Ltd, and on the 26th January, Teletext wrote back, stating that they’d not be reinstating the news and regional content. Accordingly, OfCom had no choice by to revoke Teletext Ltd’s licence.

As far as we can tell, the revocation applies to the public service licence for analogue TV and Freeview – which means that commercial services are probably not affected, and services on other platforms, such as Sky, need not be affected either.

At this time, it’s not clear to us what services will continue to be offered by Teletext Ltd. A service (of sorts) is still available on Freeview channel 101, and other text services in the 100 number range are still operating. We’re not sure whether any of these are set to cease as a result of the revocation, or whether the licence now gets open to a potential new licensee (although in this current climate, we suspect this is unlikely). We’ve been told that subtitles service on page 888 won’t be affected.

Anyone out there actually using any of the various text-based red button services out there? Would you miss any of the services if they were switched off?

Show 48 of the UK’s TV and Tech podcast, FrequencyCast is out today.

Brought to you with a little help from Radio & Telly, the show takes a look at ways to get more from your telly and gets hands-on with two media players. We also run down the latest tech and TV news, and answer listener’s questions. If you ‘ve bot yet given the show a try, please do – you might just like it…

You can download Show 48 direct to your MP3 player or listen online at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/latest.html.

If you have an iPod or iPhone, get shows faster by signing up via iTunes.

Comments on the show, subject suggestions, and your questions, are always welcomed!

Share and Enjoy,

The FrequencyCast team
www.frequencycast.co.uk

On the 7th of January 2010, the Tiscali TV service switched brands to “TalkTalk TV”.

This follows last year’s acquision of Tiscali by the Carphone Warehouse.

The Tiscali TV offering continues under the TalkTalk brand with no noticable changes, but at this time, we’re not clear on what Carphone Warehouse has in store for its new digital TV service.

More on TalkTalk TV

As we reported a few weeks back, Channel 4 is planning a week of 3D programming.

The date has been confirmed, and 4’s 3D week is set to begin on the 16th of November – If you want to be part of the Channel 4 3D week, pick up one of the 10 million pairs of 3D coloured glasses available now from Sainsburys supermarkets up and down the land.

More on 3D TV: http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/3d.html

Show 25 of this site’s online radio show, FrequencyCast, is now online.

In this show, we discuss what to look for when buying a new tv, explore Audio Description, and run through a roundup of the latest Freeview, Sky, TV, Radio and Gadget news. Listen online or download the show from www.frequencycast.co.uk/cast25.html