BBC Red Button Text given last minute reprieve

The BBC's Red Button text service has been given a stay of execution - meaning a version of it will stay on air until the spring.

The news was confirmed by MP Damian Collins, who tweeted a copy of a letter from the BBC's Director General Tony Hall.

Damian Collins

✔@DamianCollins

 · Jan 27, 2020

Just met with Sarah, Emily, Justin and others from @NFBUK @BDA_Deaf about #BBC red button have written to Lord Hall to pause decision until I get the chance to meet him and campaigners

Damian Collins

✔@DamianCollins

JUST IN: So pleased Tony Hall has agreed to my request to suspend the @BBC’s decision to end the Red Button service I’ll be meeting with him and groups representing those most affected to discuss the best way forward @NFBUK @BDA_Deaf

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12:39 PM - Jan 29, 2020

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The letter confirmed that the Director General had noted concern that the closure of the text service would impact the elderly and those with disabilities.

He added "These are issues that need to be explored in more depth before again considering whether to close the service, and so we have decided to suspend its closure."

"We will keep the BBC Red Button going as close as possible to its current state for the time being"

Red Button text was due to close tomorrow, 30th January 2020. There had been speculation that some of the bandwidth freed up from the Red Button text service on the BBC's Freeview multiplexes could be used to restore some BBC Radio services in Scotland, where there is a shortfall of available bandwidth during the broadcast hours of Gaelic channel BBC Alba.

In addition to Red Button Text, BBC News and Sport Apps were also due to close tomorrow, alongside changes to the BBC's Red Button+ service on newer, connected TVs. Full clarification from the BBC is pending.