Austext
| Company type | Teletext service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting, Teletext |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | September 30, 2009 |
| Fate | Discontinued due to obsolete technology and lack of financial viability |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Owner | Seven Network |
Austext was a teletext service operating in Australia, headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland, and managed by the Seven Network along with its regional partners throughout much of the country. The platform delivered a variety of information including news updates, financial statistics, weather forecasts, lottery outcomes, television schedules, and closed captioning services.
This service was available at no cost on any device capable of receiving teletext, such as televisions or computers tuned to Channel Seven or its regional affiliates like Prime, GWN, or Southern Cross.
History
The Seven Network initiated teletext trials in 1979, commencing regular broadcasts by 1980 and enhancing content offerings by 1982 in both Brisbane and Sydney markets. Austext discontinued its operations in September 2009. Prior to this, the Nine Network’s TCN had launched a teletext service in 1977; however, it saw limited updates due to the scarcity of compatible receivers.
Initially, multiple independent teletext services existed: 7-Text from ATN in Sydney, a distinct edition for HSV-7 Melbourne, and SevenTel operating out of Brisbane. In 1988, BTQ-7 unified these efforts into a single national platform branded as Austext.
Content
Austext’s offerings included news coverage, weather reports, horse racing information, general interest features, and a comprehensive TV guide. Additionally, it provided contact information for Austext itself and state organizations supporting the deaf community.
The news section encompassed business developments, domestic and global news stories, sports updates, scientific and technological advancements, as well as entertainment industry news. Weather content delivered current-day forecasts for major capital cities detailing temperature, humidity levels, wind status, sunrise and sunset timings, alongside a five-day forecast for key Australian locations sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology. Racing pages contained a national TAB index until the TAB ceased operations on 4 August 2009. Other general interest items featured lottery results, horoscopes, and daily jokes. The television guide covered programming schedules for Seven Network’s five metropolitan regions and other broadcasters until 2007.
Closed captioning for programs aired on the Seven Network was incorporated within Austext under the "Supertext" label by the Australian Caption Centre. Users could access captions through page 801 on analog televisions or via specific buttons on digital set-top boxes or compatible TV sets.
Closure
In July 2009, the Seven Network declared that Austext would be terminated on 30 September 2009 due to obsolete technology and the absence of financial justification to upgrade the system. The network pointed to the widespread availability of alternative information sources such as its own digital platforms. Despite the shutdown of Austext, closed captioning services continued uninterrupted.
A message displayed onscreen during the closure highlighted that Austext relied on technology developed in the 1970s which had become obsolete. The expense involved in replacing the system was deemed unsustainable because Austext operated as a free service without advertising income. While expressing appreciation for its dedicated audience, the notice emphasized that comparable information could now be accessed online through services like Yahoo7. Closed captioning remained accessible on page 801 following Austext’s closure.