ProSiebenSat.1 to switch off teletext on its channels in 2027

German broadcaster group ProSiebenSat.1 is ending teletext on its channels at the beginning of 2027. The company justifies the move by pointing to minimal usage: hardly any viewers still call up the text-based service, so the impact of switching it off is described as close to zero.

Subtitles by other means

Teletext has long done more than deliver news, weather and TV listings. In many countries it has also been the technical route for subtitles. ProSiebenSat.1 says subtitles will remain available after the shutdown, but will be delivered through a different channel in future. Which technical solution viewers will use was not part of the summary of the announcement.

What it means for viewers

For most households the change is likely to go unnoticed, which is exactly the company's argument. Those who still use the text pages on the group's channels will have to look elsewhere for news, sports results or programme information, for example on websites, apps or streaming platforms. Viewers who rely on subtitles are the group that will care most about how smooth the transition is.

The decision fits a broader pattern in television: services built for the analogue era are being retired as audiences move to on-demand video and mobile apps, and as broadcasters look to cut the cost of maintaining legacy infrastructure.

The switch-off is planned for the start of 2027, which leaves the company several months to put the replacement for subtitles in place. Further details on the exact date and the new subtitle delivery method have yet to be spelled out.