Subtitles on BBC flashing 888 up in the corner

[flaxthejute]

Recently the Subtitles on BBC are flashing 888 up in the corner at regular intervals when the subtitles are on. Any clue why this is happening and how to stop it?

Ta

[mattarosa]

Definitely not fixed, nearly drove me mad during The Pale Horse.  Doesn't look like VirginMedia are doing anything at all, least of all commenting on this thread or taking any action on it.

[Ropy]

Still happening in London SW19. 

[stuartgiles]

Yep, still there, nothing has changed

[VIPerson]

Sorry folks wishful thinking on my psrt. The Pale Horse was another programme spoiled by the stupid blue 888

I was reading though other problems listed and found another post and wonder if its a similar situation as quoted here I've copied and pasted the relevant bits even though it relates to ITV

"Re: Intermittent subtitles

Thursday

In continuing my discussions with the dedicated TV team, they've been able to identify a bug with ITV subtitles at TiVo's end. This has been raised directly with TiVo who will need to investigate further and work to address this fault within their software. I do apologise that it's taken some time for this to be located and logged accordingly, "

Can anyone check if the situation is similar?

[VIPerson]

In continuing my discussions with the dedicated TV team, they've been able to identify a bug with ITV subtitles at TiVo's end. This has been raised directly with TiVo who will need to investigate further and work to address this fault within their software. I do apologise that it's taken some time for this to be located and logged accordingly, "

Can anyone check if the situation is similar?

[nodrogd]

Judging by a post on the BBC One Facebook page its a common issue

[Lucy_B · Accepted solution]

Hi everyone, 

I just wanted to thank you all for letting us know about this issue and thanks for your patience whilst we were fully investigating. 

We asked our faults team to investigate this matter, and what we've discovered is that this is an expected behaviour due to a recent change to the new EBU subtitling format. I'm afraid it looks like this is a common problem affecting BBC channels on a few different platforms. 

What this means is that at this time, we are unable to stop the '888' flashing when subtitles are on. Apologies for any disruption this may cause. 

Lucy_B

[mattarosa]

Thanks for the information.  So who can fix it?

[VIPerson]

Well!

Does that mean then we just have to put up with it?

  If all they do is aplogise for the inconvienience caused then it sounds to me that the Disability Discrimination Act will have to come into force if nothing is done

[Catmanv2]

Yeah working as expected doesn't really cover it.  Not working is far more accurate

C

[Ropy]

"and what we've discovered is that this is an expected behaviour due to a recent change to the new EBU subtitling format"

So this is a design flaw and your tech guys have agreed that it is acceptable?

Shouldn't VM liaise with BBC and get it sorted? Isn't that why we pay a monthly subscription?

Meanwhile what shall I do? Stick a post it note over where the 888 appears?