Teletext to close loss-making website with 45 jobs axed

by Jennifer Whitehead,, Brand Republic 16-Jun-04, 16:00

LONDON - The Daily Mail & General Trust is to axe its Teletext website along with some of its satellite television services leading to an estimated 45 job losses, as it closes loss-making businesses to focus on its core television and holiday activities.

Despite having hundreds of thousands of visitors a month, Teletext has failed to translate traffic into profits at the site, and staff are now being consulted about the process, which may lead to as many as 45 job losses by August.

The breakdown is likely to result in 20 editorial posts going, 20 positions in the commercial division and five technical staff jobs.

In a statement, DMGT said: "While the website has attracted audiences of several hundred thousand monthly users, the company does not see a realistic prospect of it delivering an acceptable return."

The site carries news, film reviews and interviews, as well as links to Teletext's holiday shop and television listings.

After the closure, which is likely to take place after the consultation period ends in August, a holding page will redirect users to other Teletext platforms for news and sports information, as well as the successful Teletext Holidays site.

Teletext said that it remained committed to investing in cable services available directly through the text button on remote controls.

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