Grapevine

Grapevine was the name for YSTV's service of still advertisments and promotions between programmes. This was first used some time in the 1980s using primitive Teletext-style technology. The name is thought to originate thought the way the service spread information across campus - ie. "Heard it through the Grapevine". It has been revamped a number of times, usually to improve graphics, most recently in 2005 when it was made possible to manage it online and use full-resolution photographs for the first time. Since 2003 it has been known as primarily as Inform, although is essentially the same service. The name Inform had been in use for the conference service provided by YSTV for sometime, however the name of the student service was changed to match as it was felt to more accurately describe the service.

Grapevine Valentine's Day Special

For a short period in Autumn 2003, the service was replaced by a message service where students could upload messages to be displayed on screen. However this proved to be hard to police and was unreliable, so the previous system was reintroduced.

Student advertising is free, however companies wanting to advertise must pay a fee.

When nothing is scheduled on YSTV, the network reverts to showing this service, in a similar way to BBC Two showing Pages from Ceefax when it closes down.

In 2003 there was an attempt to provide some variation in the service when a "Valentine's Day Special" was held, offering students the chance to declare their romantic intentions on air. However most had to be made up, and these were played out accompanied by slushy music all day on the 14th.