Sbectel

Sbectel (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈspɛktɛl]) is the name of S4C's former ancillary teletext service. It was named after the Welsh language S4C programme magazine called Sbec (Welsh for 'peek') which was originally a pull-out of the TV Times in the ITV Wales area.

Content

Sbectel provided listings and information about S4C's programmes, such as previews of programmes and further information related to the programmes. Pages were provided in both Welsh and English. The programme was separate from the auxiliary and separately-licensed teletext service also available on the channel. Sbectel also provided subtitles for S4C's programmes on page 888 in English and page 889 in Welsh.

History / Future

Sbectel was first run in conjunction with ORACLE, the auxiliary teletext provider on Channel 4, in the 1980s. Sbectel occupied pages 410-499 within the page space.

When ORACLE lost its licence and was replaced by Teletext Ltd. in 1993, Sbectel moved to its own page space on pages 300-399 and became directly run by S4C.