MPs asked Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy about communities having access to free TV after the Freeview switch-off (Image: Getty Images)
A significant Freeview update has been issued as MPs have voiced apprehensions about proposals which could result in the terrestrial TV service being discontinued. A consultation is underway regarding plans which government has acknowledged would see Freeview, which presently reaches 13.6 million UK households, scrapped.
In an update, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s department has said that it is expecting a ‘support package’ to be created for users to help them, with potentially people needing to sign up to broadband deals and even buy new televisions.
The UK government and public broadcasters such as the BBC are contemplating discontinuing Freeview signals as soon as 2034, transitioning completely to broadband-delivered television like Freely. Broadcasters contend it is becoming progressively costly to maintain dual transmission infrastructure (both the conventional terrestrial aerial network and online streaming).
Closing down Freeview would deliver millions in distribution savings, releasing those funds for programming. Freeview reaches 13.6 million households across the UK, establishing its status as the principal television platform for 40% of homes with a TV set and the nation’s biggest television service. The platform functions through conventional aerials.
It has sparked alarm with a petition on Change.org amassing over 150,000 signatures amid fears the vulnerable including pensioners could be compelled to pay for broadband connections and replacement televisions, and that rural areas could be isolated. In a fresh challenge, Labour’s Dame Chi Onwurah questioned the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, “what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a switch-off of terrestrial television on people’s ability to watch television in the UK without a smart device.”
Responding, Minister of State for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries Ian Murray indicated that should the proposal proceed, a ‘support package’ would be expected for affected individuals. He stated: “The Government is clear that no one should be left behind as television watching increasingly moves online. A core objective of the DCMS’s future of TV distribution work is to ensure that any transition is inclusive, and supports both the continued sustainability of the UK’s media ecosystem and the Government’s wider ambitions for digital inclusion.
“The Department recognises that some audiences may face challenges around affordability, connectivity, digital confidence or usability, and these issues are being carefully considered. As set out in the recent Media Green Paper ‘Watch this Space'(opens in a new tab) the Government expects an audience support package will be needed to help them move from Digital Terrestrial Television to TV watched over the internet smoothly and with confidence.”
In a separate enquiry, Labour’s Perran Moon pressed Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy: “What steps she is taking to ensure that television access remains universal and free to air after 2034.”
Mr Murray confirmed the consultation would remain open until August 31: “On 23 June the Government published a Green Paper, Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media, which sets out our commitment to ensuring people can continue to access free-to-air television and are adequately protected so that no one is left behind as viewing habits change. A final decision on the future of TV distribution after 2034 will be informed by this consultation.”
To read the consultation document click here. <a href=”https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/watch-this-space-a-new-strategic-direction-for-uk-media-green-paper-and-public-consultation.” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/watch-this-space-a-new-strategic-direction-for-uk-media-green-paper-and-public-consultation.</a>
The Countryside Alliance warned: “For many people living in rural communities, television is more than just entertainment: it is a vital lifeline for news, information, and connection – particularly for older residents or those who may feel isolated.. Most people are unaware this decision is even being considered. Nearly seven in 10 citizens do not know the government is about to decide the fate of Freeview, according to one survey reported by the Big Issue.”
Alarmingly, the vast majority of the public remain in the dark about the proposed changes. According to a survey cited by the Big Issue, nearly seven in 10 people have no idea that the Government is on the verge of determining the future of Freeview.
“The BBC has proposed switching off Freeview (digital terrestrial television) by the mid-2030s. This means households would need a high-speed broadband subscription to access BBC channels, potentially costing them hundreds of pounds per year.
“While there has been progress in improving rural broadband, there are still areas where connectivity is unreliable or too slow to support streaming. Any move to an internet-only service before fast broadband is available to all rural households risks leaving communities behind.”
People can respond to the Countryside Alliance survey here. A spokesperson for the Future TV Taskforce, a coalition made up of public service broadcasters and Everyone TV, said: “The Taskforce supports a carefully planned, managed transition from digital terrestrial television (DTT) to internet‐delivered TV and a potential switch‐off in the mid‐2030s, as part of a broader, UK‐wide digital inclusion and transition plan.
“Done well, this approach can protect universal access to public service broadcasting; support innovation and investment across the TV sector; and deliver long‐term benefits for viewers and the UK economy. Above all, the Future TV Taskforce believes that the future of television should be inclusive, resilient, and designed around the needs of all audiences to ensure that everyone can continue to access trusted UK content as technology and viewing habits evolve.”
While 94% of UK households are connected to the internet, such a shift could leave hundreds of thousands of often vulnerable homes without access to television, sparking calls for further support measures to be put in place. The issue was recently brought before a parliamentary debate, where MPs drew attention to the threat facing the widely-used Freeview platform, urging ministers to protect it for the 16 million households that depend upon it.
Freeview reaches 16 million homes throughout the UK, cementing its position as the principal television platform for 40% of households with a TV set and the country’s largest television service. The platform operates through traditional aerials.
During a Westminster Hall debate, MPs raised serious concerns over its long-term future, pointing out that the licences underpinning terrestrial broadcasting are due to expire in 2034, with no government pledge yet secured to renew them — a situation that could ultimately leave television accessible only via internet connections.
The petition can be viewed and signed here. Respond to the Countryside Alliance survey here.