1. Apparatus for decoding packetized program information containing multiple text strings associated with a program, comprising: means for determining from a first indicator in said packetized program information a type of coding and compression employed in encoding a first text string; means for decoding said first text string with a decoding function selected in accordance with said determined type of coding; and means for assembling decoded text string elements to form an output text string.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for determining from a second indicator in said packetized program information the number of text strings to be decoded.