Teletext Looks To Renew Licence

Teletext has submitted a formal expression of interest to the ITC to renew its licence from January 2002. A business plan and details of proposed services has been submitted, on which the ITC is to base its decision as to the amount to be paid to Government over the next ten years. If Teletext were to decline the financial terms the licence will be readvertised by competitive tender.

Teletext Limited, co-owned by DMGT subsidiary Harmsworth Media and Media Ventures International, was formed in 1992 to bid for the licence. It began broadcasting in 1993, and by 1999, according to TGI data for January to December that year, had 14.2m daily users and 22.2m weekly users, viewing pages for an average 15 minutes per day.

Since then the growth of the internet and digital television EPGs is likely to have impacted on these user rates- a MORI poll for the Radio Times recently found that 25% of those with internet access through their TV use it to see what’s on TV and 17% to get information on subjects such as weather, sport and the cinema, traditional Teletext territory.

In response, Teletext this year launched itself in a digital version on ITV Digital, ntl and Telewest, with improved appearance including full range of colours and updated font, which is also faster to access and will eventually be interactive. A version of the service is also available on the internet, WAP phones and via SMS text messages.

ITC: 020 7306 7743 www.itc.org.uk Teletext: 020 7386 5000 www.teletext.co.uk

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