A method for processing auxiliary information, such as closed caption or teletext data, in a video system enables an increased number of characters to be displayed per line. According to an exemplary embodiment, a video system (100) includes a tuner (10) operative to receive a video signal including auxiliary information representative of a first number of characters to be displayed per line. A memory (13) is operative to store display list data representative of the received auxiliary information. A controller (11) is operative to retrieve the stored display list data in accordance with a format representative of a second number of characters per line, the second number being less than the first number.