Rumours are rife on MHP that, as of this weekend, News 24 will fill the gaps on BBC2 between the end of main programmes and The Learning Zone. I haven't yet seen the new Radio Times but the BBCi listings state otherwise, that nothing is billed between during such gaps at the weekend.
Someone please tell me, WHAT'S GOING ON? Is this the end for in-vision Ceefax? Please tell me this is a wind-up(!)
About time too. Ceefax should go and never come back - I understand that some people don't have Teletext capable tvs - but News 24 would be more useful than Ceefax for people still with analogue.
I don't think they should show that outdated old dinosaur, with blocky graphics and dodgy fonts... but that's enough about News 24. I don't think they should show Ceefax either - I mean how many people actually sit there and read it? BBCi would be much better, especially if not accompanied by that uneccesary high pitched noise that is on when Ceefax is on. Or here's a wild idea... why not actually show a programme or two?
I'd have no objection to BBCi replacing Ceefax pages or even a downtime slide as per BBC3 and 4. This would at least allow the music to continue. But News 24 is already on BBC1 overnight and is a channel change away for digital viewers. What's the point in showing it on three seperate frequencies?
I can agree with Simon that there's not much point in News 24 being on both BBC1 and 2 at the same time, BUT ... I also see no point whatsoever in Ceefax on telly with terrible lift music. So, given the choice, I vote News 24!
Come on guys! We can't lose Ceefax! Many often a time when it's 3.00am in the morning and I can't get to sleep, I just switch on BBC2 and the soothing music knocks me out like a trout. Plus, it'll mean the end of those fab closedown announcements when they bother to do them!