NBC Teletext

NBC Teletext was a teletext service provided by the American TV network NBC from 1981 to 1985, based on the NABTS standard.[1][2][3][4]

Initial trials started in Los Angeles in 1981.[5] Transmissions started as a regular service on May 16, 1983[6] after FCC approval,[7][8][9] in parallel with CBS similar ExtraVision[10] service.

Initially, the NBC Teletext was composed of a 50-page magazine, with the index page listing the following topics: Newsfront, Weather, Sports, Money, People, Your Body, Living, Your Stars, On the Soaps, Fun & Games, Kid's Korner, Partners, Credits.[9] Graphics were reasonably detailed, allowing a detailed rendition of weather maps or movie posters.[9]

Since teletext provides real-time updates, it was expected that the service would attract advertisers like airlines, stores or businesses interested in constantly updating their rates and schedules.[11] As there were no available standalone consumer decoders on the market, it was hoped that by launching the system manufacturers would soon built teletext capability into all television sets.[6][11]

Demonstrations of the system were performed at the 1983 National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas, the Organization of Iberian-American Broadcasters (OTI) in Mexico City, and the International Television Symposium and Technical Exhibition in Montreux.[12][1][13] Special content was developed for these demonstrations.

In 1984 projections, NBC expected the teletext service to be profitable by 1987 and reach 10 percent of US homes by 1990.[11]

These expectations were not met, and the system was shut down in January 1985.[14][15]