Episodes
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Teletext50: The Stories
A Byte High No Limit / illarterate co-production
In 1974, a brand new technology called teletext was being rolled out. It would, over the next few decades, have far-reaching implications, not only in the UK but worldwide.
These are the stories of those involved in the production, restoration and art of the blocky medium that graced UK TV screens until 2012. You’ll hear from the pioneers, those who made teletext tick, and the newcomers keeping the medium alive 50 years after its inception.
This is a social record of teletext, and these are the teletext people.
Sonic creditsSound effects courtesy Pixabay
“Seesaw” by Aretha Franklin, cover by Pixelblip
“Tip Toes” by Myuu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJKeIzPzrWE
“Waltz For a Cat” by MondayHopes https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-waltz-for-a-cat-8089/
“Wicked Annabella” by The Kinks, cover by Pixelblip
“Jumping Jack Flash” by The Rolling Stones, cover by Pixelblip
“The Ballad of Sir Clive Sinclair” by Mr Biffo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVnv1tVmmjk
“The Wozniak Song” by Mr Biffo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZvoFHkmolk
“Ambient Classical Guitar” by William King https://pixabay.com/music/solo-guitar-ambient-classical-guitar-144998/
“Dance Off” by All-rights-reserved https://pixabay.com/music/dance-dance-off-8843/
“Long Hot Summer” by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, cover by Pixelblip
“Resistance” by Gvidon https://pixabay.com/music/beats-gvidon-resistance-170918/
“Orange Juice on the Table” by MondayHopes https://pixabay.com/music/bossa-nova-orange-juice-on-the-table-8024/
“Cognoscenti vs Intelligentsia” by The Cuban Boys (light mashup) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXJ5oaU940U
“Road to Nowhere” by Grand Project https://pixabay.com/music/dance-road-to-nowhere-long-188064/
“A Villain’s Redemption” by Katzen Tupas https://pixabay.com/music/solo-guitar-a-villain39s-redemption-12976/
“Bossa Nova Dreams” by HD-Studio https://pixabay.com/music/bossa-nova-bossa-nova-dreams-182163/
“Clock Cracker” by Caboose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBcCts2nlbA
“Road Rash” by Octosound https://pixabay.com/music/rock-road-rash-172665/
“Heroes” by David Bowie, cover by Pixelblip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_HzlaIxnHg
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” by Elton John, cover by Pixelblip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ_Ed-d2dD8
The Teletext PeopleCarl Attrill (Episode presenter)
Mort Smith (Ceefax, Intelfax)
Julie Morton-Smith (Intelfax)
Ian Irving (Ceefax, Intelfax)
Colin McIntyre (Ceefax) - via archive interview from Channel 4
Steve Rosenberg (Intelfax, Russian Teletext, BBC)
Gareth Herincx (ORACLE)
Graham Lovelace (Ceefax, Teletext Ltd)
Paul Rose (Teletext Ltd)
Sara-Scott Rivers (Teletext Ltd, Videotron, Datasolve)
John Earls (Teletext Ltd)
Ricardo Autobahn (The Cuban Boys)
Ian Westbrook (Ceefax, BBC News)
Paul B Davis (VBI Microtel)
Dan Farrimond (Teletext Artist, Episode Editor)
Jason Robertson (The Teletext Archaeologist)
Alistair Cree (ZXNet browser-based teletext editor)
James Domestic (artist)
Count Binface (Space Politician)
Nathan Dane (NMS Ceefax)
Additional clips courtesyBBC, ITV, WFLD Channel 32, Teletext Holidays, Peter Kay Live at the Top of the Tower, Q Radio, Hit n’ Run
Misc.Eleven Labs (synthesised voices)All interviews from Teletext People by Byte High No Limit
Steve Horsley Teletext Holidays segment from the Teletextr Podcast
Colin McIntyre Interview courtesy Channel 4
Timecodes0:00 ACT 1: Ceefax, the world’s first teletext service (Beginnings) 1974-1980
15:22 Teletext expands abroad (Keyfax and Russian teletext) 1980-1992
26:29 ORACLE, the UK’s other teletext service (Debbie’s Diary) 1992
31:15 ACT 2: Deregulation (launch of Teletext Ltd) 1992-1993
40:13 Digitiser and sick worms 1993-2003
47:25 Teletext Holidays 1993-2009
51:30 Emergence of the Web and Interactive TV 1993-1999
59:07 Princess Diana 1997
1:04:17 The Music Men: Planet Sound
1:11:15 Teletext sports and the Ceefax Striker
1:13:50 The end of teletext in the UK 2009-2012
1:18:06 ACT 3: Teletext rises again! Teletext art 2005-2015
1:25:58 Hidden teletext (teletext recovery) 2010-
1:30:46 Recreating teletext (Ceefax for the 21st Century) 2016-2024
1:39:50 Teletext today 2024
1:43:21 Tributes & memories
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James Domestic grew up in Essex, is a compulsive songwriter, a musician, occasional DJ, painter, poet, and punk.
He holds a doctorate from the University of Essex, has toured the world and elsewhere with The Domestics, and made records with more bands than is healthy or sensible.
He was kind enough to speak to me in his Local, The Brewers Tap, Sudbury.
We cover a range of subjects and when it came to edit, I unashamedly did not leave an awful lot out as I found the whole interview engaging. Look out for the exclusive teletext Poem!You Can follow James on his facebook, or go to jamesdomestic.com for updates and books.
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Missing episodes?
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Bob Pape's Dead Lights,
Bob and I discuss Curious, Forgotten and Unusual films.
In this Episode
12:01pm (1990)
He Never Died (2015)
The Giant Claw (1957)
I Woke Up Early The Day I Died (1998)
Please do leave us feedback on the discord or X twitter
You can also support the show via ko-fi.com/bytehigh
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This Episode I had the pleasure of the host of Floppy Days, Randy Kindig.
11 years and 141 episodes so far and his quest to cover every home computer chronologically has only got him to 1984's Grundy Newbrain! what dedication.
Randy Speaks to me about his motivation and collection of vintage computers and we share our observations on how computing has changed since the days of individual quirky machines.
Please visit www.floppydays.com to listen to his show.
Thanks also to Warren (Woz) Pilkington for the opening segment.
Theme is by Mr Nissness, get him on youtube and bandcamp @mrnissness
You can support the podcast with hosting costs by buying me a kofi
www.ko-fi.com/bytehigh if you wish, but a like or a rating is just as welcome.
Keep it blocky!
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Yes, The Unpublished chapter!!
Bob Pape is a computer game coder that came into prominence in the 8 bit world with his conversion of the Irem coin-op R-type to the humble ZX Spectrum.
Around ten years ago he wrote an account of how he made the game and described a less than glamourous world of coding that surrounded it in 'It's Behind You'
This book is available on www.bizzley.com for free and is highly recommended.
Part two covers Bob's views on the games industry, the magazines and also his humble appraisal of his other projects and also his love of Cinema.
I hope you enjoy, please do leave feedback in the usual places.
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Bob Pape is a computer game coder that came into prominence in the 8 bit world with his conversion of the Irem coin-op R-type to the humble ZX Spectrum.
Around ten years ago he wrote an account of how he made the game and described a less than glamourous world of coding that surrounded it in 'It's Behind You'
This book is available on www.bizzley.com for free and is highly recommended.
Part one of this interview, or chat covers Bobs background, the computers he used and other industries he worked in.
Subjects discussed - R-type- ZX Spectrum, TRS 80, Dragon 32 and many more!
I hope you enjoy, please do leave feedback in the usual places.
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At 23:32:19 BST on 23 October 2012, Schoolboy Nathan Dane witnessed the close down of BBC's teletext service CEEFAX. The following years a pursuit to revive the abandoned service was realised with NMS CEEFAX, a fully working and up to date teletext service that can be used by anyone with an internet connection. Nathan's endeavours were now a national talking point from Radio Two, The press including The Guardian & TV's BBC One Breakfast wanting to find out more.Join me in conversation with the inventor and curator, the man himself, Nathan Dane who explains how he done it and what he has in mind next for the 50 year old medium.
you can X me @tetetextR
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In this episode, I speak with the man in charge of Finland's YLE teletext service. He explains how he got into the industry, his battles with Nokia and the challenges for teletext in the future.Thanks to Dan Farrimond, who cleaned up this recording and provided the edits. There are some audio issues but not as many thanks to Mr Yak who, in my opinion is a wizard to get this to you.
you can X me @tetetextR
you can join the discord at https://discord.gg/GQyka9Wt2Byou can help me off set the cost of hosting by buying me a Ko-fi.com/bytehightheme song is by @mrnicness kEEp it BLocky!
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I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with the extra terrestrial political force of nature that is his Excellency Count Binface. We discussed Ceefax, ZX Spectrum and less important subjects including Boris Johnson, Sadiq Khan & Teressa May.
What does the future hold for Sigma nine's political big Beast?
Want to help with my hosting costs? https://ko-fi.com/bytehigh Join the discord? https://discord.gg/nVjcCe2MFE
get me on X @teletextR and bluesky as @bytehigh.bsky.social
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It's Max Headroom month! One November evening in 1987 local Chicago TV was invaded by a masked Max Headroom impersonator. For the following 37 years the question of who and why persist.
Now well past a statute of limitations and the advantage hive mind of the internet we are still no closer to the definitive, but we do have theories!
Whitney Merrill is a Hacktivist, info security champion and Head of Global Privacy and data Governance at Asansa. She also makes the coolest Pins on her etsy.
Being brought up in Chicago and immersed in Hack culture she is the perfect guest to have with me in this show.
We talk about hacking, the direction of security and of course Max!
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE
Find out more about Whitney at
whitneymerrill.com
her shop at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheGarbageFile
contact on X @wbm312 or .Bsky.social.com
Want to help with my hosting costs? https://ko-fi.com/bytehigh Like, subscribe @bytehigh on youtube!
get me on X @teletextR
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Ricardo speaks to me about the CubanBoys ,teletext, Eurovision and the Poundshop boys. Being championed by Radio One DJ's Jo Wiley and John Peel catapulted Ricardo and his band mates into superstardom when they were spotted by EMI records. Ricardo also speaks about his fascination with the Top 40 and his ZX Spectrum Coding career.
The Peel Sessions are now available on preciousrecordingsoflondon.com - Please consider buying Sam Tan from poundshopboys.bandcamp.com as the proceeds go to local Charities.
My Theme tune is courtesy of @mrnissness
You can, if you wish, buy me a Ko-fi.com/bytehigh
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Joe Banks, producer of the art project Disinformation, has been working with Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio since the mid nineteen-nineties. His installations have been exhibited and performed worldwide and been shown on national TV & radio stations including Sky TV and BBC Radio Four. His challenging investigations into Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) demonstrate the mind’s conscious and unconscious working in a conflicting synergy.In this episode Joe speaks to me and my excellent co-host and inspiration, Leila Johnston about how early experiences propelled him towards the sonic voyage of the Disinformation project, his family and future projects.
Warning- this show does contain some loud noises, headphone users beware!
This show contains the following extracts, in appearance order:0'50: “National Grid” by Disinformation 1996 to 19991'20: Hari Kunzru on Sky TV 19995'24: “Electric Skies” Channel 4 “Equinox” 19946'50: “Stargate” by Disinformation 199613'00: “National Grid” by Disinformation, live in Moscow 28 Sept 2000 *20'34: “Kwaidan, Part 3” by Disinformation 2002 (from the “Sense & Data Perception” CD 2005)30'41: “Sine Wave Speech - Psychoacoustics Demonstration” by Disinformation 19 July 201442'50: “Martelsham Heath” by Disinformation, exhibited at Domo Baal gallery Nov 201750'33: “Language [as] Meta Technology” by Disinformation Nov 2018, remixed July 20211'10'50: “Sound Mirrors” aka “Blackout” soundtrack by Disinformation 1997* “National Grid - Live in Moscow” features saxophonists Mike Walter and Andy Knight
on YouTube @C4eye
theme Byte High no Limit - Mr Niceness bandcamp.com/mrnissness or YouTube @MrNissness
Join the Discord
Contact me @teletextR on X
Buy me a Ko-Fi
Leila's Hack Circus Podcast is definitely worth a listen
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Dan Farrimond and myself reflect on the Chunky Fringe live show, with Jamie Nemeth and Jason Robertson.
The Audio was provided by Dan from his live stream that you can see with pictures on his YouTube channel.
Thanks again to @grimfandango and Jamie Nemeth and his awesome twitch channel.
Please like of subscribe where ever you get this show and why not join the discord!
If you feel inclined You can send a ko-fi to @bytehigh
Contact me on X @teletextR
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This is a live show hosted by myself and Dan Farrimond during Chunky Fringe, the teletext expo that took place at the same venue and day as the Digi Live 30 show held by Mr Biffo.
We speak to Jason & Rich from What's wrong with Wolfie? Podcast as well as teletext movers and Shakers Jason Robertson, Steve Horsley and Chris Bell.
The recording was kindly made by
Ash Versus of Under Consoletation: The GamesMaster Retrospective Podcast, get him at one of the following:
https://twitter.com/underconsolepod
https://www.instagram.com/under.console
https://www.threads.net/@under.console
https://twitch.tv/underconsolepod
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or get me on X/twitter or Bluesky/threads @teletextR / Bytehigh
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Stuart Ashen is a Actor, Screen writer, comedian and critic. He has near 1.6 million YouTube subscribers and 600 million views.
I also got his name wrong in the intro, we discuss where it all started and the possible future trends as well as the challenges faced when running a large YouTube Channel.
Stuart gives me his thoughts on social media the recent name change of twitter to X.
Music is from Mr Nissness (.bandcamp.com)
you can join the Discord https://discord.gg/CCSrHxD3z9
or get me on X/twitter or Bluesky/threads @teletextR / Bytehigh
You can send a ko-fi (its a hobby, any little helps) ko-fi.com/bytehigh
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Dr Anderson has worked in AI for over a decade, she completed her Ph.D. in computed science and focused on machine learning and I was lucky to have a moment to speak to her about this remarkable technology.
But what is AI? How is it transforming our lives, at home and in the workplace?
Dr Anderson explains the ethical implications and givers her thoughts on how Human-AI collaboration is a key to augment human capabilities.
If you can and wish to, please give me a rating.
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music= William Rosati - Floating Also ♫ NO COPYRIGHT 8-bit Music
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Planet Sound was a cult music magazine that reached every teletext set n the UK, John Earls and his team championed many new acts of the 90s & 2000's including Artic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, Arcade Fire, Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Editors, Snow Patrol, Klaxons, Kasabian, Hard-fi, Elbow, The Feeling, Scissor Sister, Guillemots, Amy Winehouse and Dizzee Rascal to name but a few!
John Speaks to me about his time at Teletext and explains Robert Smiths carrot cake recipe and Nicky Wires objection to Bono's hotel due to its lack of teletext TV sets!
If you can and wish to, please give me a rating.
If you want to support the Podcast, please do you can buy me a KoFi Here
You can Contact me on My Twitter
Or email [email protected]
Join the Discord! - https://discord.gg/CCSrHxD3z9
music= William Rosati - Floating Also ♫ NO COPYRIGHT 8-bit Music
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Tim, better known to his thousands of followers as @ceefaux uses the distinct looks of old Ceefax tv listings to inject his brand of humour on to the social media world of twitter.
His account is barley 15 months old but he has a amassed an avid following of fans.
In this episode Tim explains to me and Dan Farrimond how he got involved, his inspiration and challenges for the future.
We even cover serious subject like AI and trampolines.
Thanks as ever to @illarterate Dan for hosting with me.
Want to join in on the discords? message me @teletextR
Help me with the pod like meatlotion & drnovocalcords? no problem! ko-fi.com/bytehigh
music= William Rosati - Floating Also ♫ NO COPYRIGHT 8-bit Music
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"We were the first people in the World to do this sort of thing..."
Graham Norwood.
Graham is a prolific travel writer and Formula One fan, but before all of this he cut his journalistic teeth at BBC Ceefax.
Graham recalls the stories and events that the service reported on and conveyed to the public in it's unique way.
There is also a rare insight into how some Ceefax staff felt in the food-chain of BBC journalists. Were these fair observations?
Listen and share your thoughts...
Reach me on @tetetextR twitter or the discord.
Reach Graham @propertyJourn
Music by Mr Nissness https://www.youtube.com/@mrnissness
Thank you @meatlotion for my www.ko-fi.com/bytehigh donation :)
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In this episode we enjoy the recollections of Patrick, @cgnfridays and Cody, @pranfunkels as they discus hacks and tricks to get free calls on phone systems like their hero, Matt Broderick and try not to get caught... with varying consequences.
They explain what innocent, inquisitive kids can get up to with telephones and how they took over voice mail systems to create a BBS without the knowledge that the US Hacker community were already at it too!
Music by mrnissness.bandcamp.com
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