A war of words has broken out between the BBC Director General and his predecessor in the role over proposals to turn off traditional television services such as Freeview. Tony Hall, who was head of the BBC for seven years, condemned plans to force every viewer to switch to internet services, saying it would leave eight million people including many pensioners unable to watch their favourite shows.
He spoke out after current Director General Tim Davie, who took over in 2020, urged the Government to press ahead with axing terrestrial television broadcasts and switch entirely to online services such as BBC iPlayer, known as Internet Protocol (IP) television. Current legislation means terrestrial TV is safe until 2034 but the Government is holding a consultation about whether to end it after that. Opponents of the plan say the public has been kept in the dark about the implications.
Lord Hall, an independent member of the House of Lords, said the BBC was right to “plan for a future when everything is delivered online” but added: “However we must also remember that there are still 8 million people – mostly people who are poor, live alone, have a disability or are old – who rely on broadcasting as it comes now, through Freeview.”
Writing in the parliamentary newsletter of global digital services consultancy Nash Squared, he said: “Their voice matters too.”
It comes after Mr Davie urged the Government to press ahead with the switch off. He said last month: “We think now is the time to confirm an IP switchover in the 2030s, setting out the conditions and providing certainty to ensure success.
“There are huge benefits, financially and socially, and we want to play our part, working with Government, with our sector and beyond to help – building trust that a digital world can work for all.”
The possible end of traditional TV broadcasts is less than a decade away and the Government would need to make a decision before the next election.
Campaigners for the elderly are demanding Ministers commit to retaining traditional services. Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices said: “The Government will need to take a decision before the end of this Parliament on whether to scrap terrestrial broadcasting and transition to IP TV only. If Labour supports the BBC line, this will spark a major campaign to save Freeview in the run up to the 2029 General Election, in which Silver Voices would play a leading role.
“We would see then how popular Freeview is, including amongst people who use internet streaming as well.”
Ministers are to be forced to answer questions from MPs after Conservative former Cabinet Minister David Mundell secured a House of Commons debate on the topic. He said: “Terrestrial TV is a lifeline service, and it must be protected. It is currently under threat so it’s vital that this issue is debate in Parliament.
“Too often, decisions about broadcasting are taken by a metropolitan media elite with the needs of ordinary viewers a distant afterthought.
“The BBC is a great UK asset, but it will be losing sight of its core purpose if it turns its back on the millions of people who enjoy terrestrial TV.”
Ministers insist that no decision has been made. Culture Minister Stephanie Peacock said in a written House of Commons answer: “Parliament has already legislated to secure the continuity of digital terrestrial television until at least 2034.
“Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently undertaking a project to evaluate the future distribution of television as the sector continues to evolve over the next decade. Before any decision is made in relation to the availability of services beyond 2034, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on digital terrestrial television as their primary means of watching television.”
And she said: “The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. We want audiences to continue to receive consistent levels of service regardless of how they receive their television, and ensuring that this can happen will be a priority for the Government.”