16th Jul 2009 10:34
16 July 2009 Daily Mail and General Trust plc (`DMGT')
Teletext to focus on travel sites; switch off television news and information services
Associated Newspapers, the national media division of DMGT, announces that, following a comprehensive review, it has decided to bring forward the shut down of Teletext's loss-making analogue television services. Transmission will end in January 2010, rather than 2012 as previously envisaged. In addition, Teletext will halt a number of its digital television services from the same date.
The holiday service on Freeview, channel 101 and other commercial services on Freeview channels 102 - 107 will continue to broadcast. Teletext's successful and profitable travel websites, Teletextholidays.co.uk, Thisistravel.co.uk and Villarenters.co.uk will continue to serve the needs of the leisure traveller.
As anticipated, the continued fragmentation of television audiences and the growth in the use of the internet has resulted in a significant reduction in the audience and volume of commercial activity generated by the television services. In addition, Ofcom has indicated that it is not persuaded of the need for public intervention in the delivery of a public commercial Teletext service beyond 2014 and this has also contributed to the decision to discontinue the public service. Current economic conditions have accelerated this process, leading to today's announcement.
Teletext's network of individually profitable travel websites show excellent growth potential. Management will now be able to devote its full focus on these profitable assets, which will operate as a division of the AND suite of online businesses covering recruitment, property, motors and dating.
Enquiries:
Peter Williams, Finance Director, DMGT 020 7938 6631
Mike Stewart, Managing Director - Teletext 020 8323 5600
Andrew Honnor/ Tom Rayner, Tulchan Communications 020 7353 4200
Not for public release until 10.30 am on 16 July, 2009 Daily Mail and General Trust plc Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London, W8 5TT Tel 020 7938 6000 Fax 020 7938 4626 www.dmgt.co.uk Registered in England and Wales No. 184594
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