BBC Red Button

The station's logo

BBC Red Button is the digital replacement for Ceefax , the British BBC's analogue teletext . "BBC Red Button" is only available in Great Britain (with suitable digital receivers) via DVB-T (Freeview) and DVB-C . Via DVB-S , the BBC red button function can still be used with suitable receivers on the western European mainland (northern France , Benelux countries, western peripheral areas of Germany ).

Until 2008 the service was called BBCi .

History and logos

When BBC Text started in 1999, the service was continued from November 2001 to 2008 as "BBCi" with partially changed properties. From 2008 onwards, BBCi was renamed “BBC Red Button”, the name that is still used today. "Red Button" refers to a button on compatible remote controls with which the offer can be called up.

BBC text

After publication, BBC Text went terrestrial ; but later also spread via satellite television and cable television . However, since the digital distribution of the BBC in Great Britain did not start until 1998, the content of Ceefax was adopted at the beginning. In November 1999, the BBC text began to detach itself from Ceefax, as only then were sufficient, compatible set-top boxes available.

In contrast to Ceefax, which consists of a maximum of 16 colors, however, the BBC Text enabled the display of graphics and photographs. In addition, an extended picture-in-picture function was possible (Ceefax only offers the choice between full and semi-transparent partial images). However, the original form of the BBC text did not contain a return channel (view only). An early form of video on demand launched during the Wimbledon Championships should, according to the BBC, allow the selection of various video streams and the display of additional information (such as information about players, intermediate results, interactive quizzes, etc.).

BBCi

The BBCi service started in 2001 as a multi-platform solution that combined all interactive BBC services (digital teletext, video-on-demand functions and websites). The letter "i" stands for "interactivity" and "innovation".

From now on, all the various digital services of the BBC were given an "i". For example, the website previously known as BBC online (www.bbc.co.uk) has a bar with an “i” above each page. However, the BBC gradually changed the names of its offers again from May 5, 2004 to 2008.

Today the BBC iPlayer (website, which offers the time-shifted viewing of many BBC productions as well as a live stream of every BBC station) still contains the i.

BBC Red Button

Since 2008, the BBC began gradually renaming its services, with the i remaining on it for some time. "Red Button" refers to a red button on the remote controls with which the offer can be called up.

In November 2008 the service celebrated its tenth anniversary.

Reception and availability

BBC Red Button is broadcast on all digital television platforms, such as B. via Freeview (DVB-T), cable TV (DVB-C), via Astra-2 satellite (DVB-S, Freesat) and in parts via the Internet. In some cases, however, no return channel is included. The Astra-2E satellite can also be received in western areas of Germany; In digital receivers intended for the German market, however, the BBC red button function is usually missing, so that in this way only pure British television programs can usually be seen. In the case of smart TV sets with HBB function and built-in SAT receivers, however , the BBC red button function can still be available and used in the western outskirts of Germany.

The video services are broadcast like normal TV channels and can be received on the following frequencies with any satellite receiver via Astra 2E:

• SD channel 1: 10,773 MHz horizontal, 22,000 ksymbols / s, DVB-S 5/6
• SD channel 2 to 6 and HD channel: 12,422 MHz horizontal, 27,500 ksymbols / s, DVB-S 2/3

Today's content

In addition to text-video-based services, BBC Red Button also contains extra information on the current television program, videos and quizzes. Since an update, program information, news, sports and weather are also available.

compatibility

The service is largely compatible with "ONdigital" and ITV digital boxes (digital boxes from competing British, private providers).

See also

• MHEG (technical standard based on the BBC Red Button)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Digital Broadcasting - BBC R&D Annual Review 1999-2000 (PDF; 763 kB) BBC Research & Development. Pp. 49-50. 2000. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
2. ↑ BBCi heralds a new interactive era (English) , BBC News. November 7, 2001. Retrieved October 2, 2008. 
3. ↑ What is BBCi? (English) . BBC (sourced via Web Archive). December 15, 2002. Archived from the original on December 15, 2001. Retrieved on October 2, 2008.
4. ^ Owen Gibson: A fresh i for BBC, article from "The Guardian" . The Guardian. November 12, 2001. Retrieved October 2, 2008.
5. ↑ BBCi on the internet (English) . BBC (from the web archives). December 15, 2002. Archived from the original on December 15, 2001. Retrieved on October 2, 2008.
6. ↑ BBC's Red Button celebrates its 10th anniversary . BBC Press Office. November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2008.

Web links

• Official website of the BBC Red Button (English)
• BBC Text screenshots (before renaming to BBCi)
• BBCi offers for sports events
• Key information on BBCi