16 February 2009

Teletext trims editorial jobs in costs review

Teletext has moved to reassure travel partners about its future following consumer press coverage suggesting Ã¢â¬ÅâœTeletext may disappear from our screensÃ¢â¬~.

A number of editorial posts are going but the company has stressed that its commercial departments are not affected.

Teletext HolidaysÃ¢â¬â¢ new managing director Victoria Sanders said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœItÃ¢â¬â¢s only right that we review costs to make sure weÃ¢â¬â¢re efficient and in a strong position as we move towards a digital future.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWeÃ¢â¬â¢re losing some jobs within our editorial department but our commercial departments remain unaffected.Ã¢â¬~

She added: Ã¢â¬ÅâœThere have been a few stories today which have caused confusion. The news is muddled so we wanted to set the record straight.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWeÃ¢â¬â¢ve made some changes to our editorial structure as we prepare for a digital only future, but Teletext isnÃ¢â¬â¢t disappearing from screens.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe analogue switch-off is no secret and by 2013 all analogue terrestrial services will be unavailable in the UK (as per the GovernmentÃ¢â¬â¢s plans). As such, Teletext has been building its digital business since 1996.Ã¢â¬~

She continued: Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe Teletext brand is held with great affection across the nation and the analogue TV service remains a first port of call for many people. Over six million people in the UK use the service on a weekly basis.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœAs such, while we are focused on a digital only future, we have no plans to Ã¢â¬Ëœswitch offÃ¢â¬â¢ our analogue TV Teletext service ahead of Government plans.Ã¢â¬~

Ã¢â¬ÅâœTeletext is a major media with a huge audience. Its daily audience is greater than the combined daily readership of all the daily broadsheets and its weekly audience is greater than Sky News and BBC news 24 combined.Ã¢â¬~<