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.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first indicator indicates that no compression function is used in encoding said first text string, and said means for decoding comprises means for interpreting codes in said first text string to produce text characters.