If you’ve recently upgraded to the Manhattan S4-R Freesat recorder, you may have noticed that pressing the TEXT button on the remote doesn’t display the familiar BBC Text or BBC Red Button service.
For viewers who previously used older Freesat or Freeview receivers, this can come as a surprise. While the button is still present on the remote control, the service many people remember is no longer available on the Manhattan S4-R.
In this guide, we’ll explain why BBC Text is missing, what has replaced it, and whether there’s any way to access the old service.
Watch the video below for a full explanation, then continue reading for more details.
What Happened to BBC Text?
For many years, BBC Text provided news, weather, sport, TV listings and other information through the BBC Red Button service using MHEG technology.
As television technology evolved, the BBC gradually retired these older interactive services in favour of internet-based platforms that offer richer content, improved graphics and on-demand features.
As a result, the traditional BBC Text service is no longer supported on modern Freesat receivers, including the Manhattan S4-R.
Why is There Still a TEXT Button?
One question many owners ask is why the remote still includes a TEXT button if the service no longer exists.
The answer is simple: the remote control design supports a range of television functions and remains compatible with various broadcasting standards. On the Manhattan S4-R, however, pressing the TEXT button does not launch the old BBC Text service because the receiver doesn’t support the legacy MHEG platform.
This isn’t a fault with your recorder—it’s simply how the current Freesat platform operates.
Was BBC Text Available on Earlier Freesat Recorders?
Some older Freesat receivers did support the original BBC Red Button service when it was still broadcast.
However, the previous generation of Freesat 4K boxes also lacked support for the legacy BBC Text platform, so the Manhattan S4-R continues that approach rather than introducing a new limitation.
The change reflects the evolution of the Freesat platform and the retirement of older interactive television technologies.
What Has Replaced BBC Text?
Today, much of the information that was previously available through BBC Text can now be accessed through:
- BBC iPlayer
- BBC News
- BBC Sport
- BBC Weather
- Connected TV services
- Mobile apps and websites
These services offer significantly more content than the original text-based system and are updated continuously via the internet.
Is There Any Way to Get BBC Text Back?
Unfortunately, no.
Because the traditional BBC Text service has been withdrawn and modern Freesat receivers no longer support the technology it relied upon, there is no setting or software update that can restore it on the Manhattan S4-R.
If you specifically require the old interactive text service, you would need older hardware that supported the now-retired platform—although the content itself is no longer broadcast in the same way.
In Summary
The Manhattan S4-R includes a TEXT button on its remote control, but it does not provide access to the traditional BBC Text or BBC Red Button service. This isn’t a fault with the recorder—it reflects the retirement of the older MHEG-based interactive platform across modern Freesat devices.
While long-time satellite viewers may miss the familiar text service, today’s internet-connected BBC apps and online services provide a far richer and more up-to-date alternative. If you’re looking to get the most from your Manhattan S4-R, explore our growing collection of guides, tutorials and technical articles covering setup, hidden features, troubleshooting and advanced functions.