Ceefax

Ceefax was the BBC's teletext information service, the first widely available teletext system in the United Kingdom. It was launched in the mid-1970s and remained a staple of British television for several decades. The service delivered text-based information broadcast alongside BBC television programs, accessible on teletext-enabled sets by entering page numbers on the remote control. The name Ceefax is commonly understood as a play on the words “see facts,” reflecting its information-focused purpose.

Content and features

Ceefax offered a range of information pages, including news headlines, weather forecasts, sports results, TV listings, travel information, stock prices, and educational and cultural content. Pages were organized by numbers and could be updated regularly to reflect current events, making it a convenient source of quick information before the widespread use of the internet.

Technology and reach

The service used the World System Teletext standard and was broadcast during television transmissions on BBC channels, primarily BBC One and BBC Two. It was available to households with compatible TV sets or decoders and became a familiar feature of the analogue television era in the UK.

Decline and closure

With the rise of the internet and digital television, teletext usage declined. The BBC announced the phase-out of Ceefax in the early 2010s, and the last Ceefax transmission occurred on 23 October 2012. After closure, some teletext-style information persisted through online services and the BBC’s Red Button interactive platform.

Legacy

Ceefax is remembered as a pioneering broadcast information service that provided rapid access to news and practical information for nearly four decades, illustrating an era before widespread online information access.