Campaigners have demanded the Government protect traditional television channels after Ministers confirmed that signals could be turned off in 2034. Media minister Stephanie Peacock warned that digital terrestrial television, also known as Freeview, was becoming increasingly unaffordable as more viewers switched to services provided over the internet. However, she insisted no decision had been made about whether to end broadcasts.
Dennis Reed, Director of campaigners Silver Voices, said: “Nothing less than the continuance of Freeview and public broadcasting through aerials will be acceptable. It would be an unmitigated disaster for older people if there is a premature switchover to internet only TV within the next ten years.”
Conservative MP David Mundell, a former Scottish Secretary, said: “Terrestrial TV is essential – because it is universal. Indeed, it is the guarantee of universalism in British broadcasting.
“Having terrestrial TV providing that bedrock guarantee of universal access, complementing internet streaming, gives the UK the best of both worlds. It is a hybrid model that is so much more robust than putting all of our eggs into one basket and relying on a single point of failure.”
And Elizabeth Anderson, chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said: “Terrestrial TV is not a luxury; it is a lifeline. It guarantees free, universal access to news and popular content and is a service the government must safeguard.”
Current legislation means Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is safe until 2034 but the Government is holding a consultation about whether to end it after that. This would mean expecting viewers to switch entirely to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), which is delivered online rather than through an aerial.
Ms Peacock told MPs that terrestrial services were becoming less cost-efficient as more viewers relied on the internet. She said: “DTT is guaranteed until at least 2034. Before making any decisions, we will carefully consider the challenges for public service broadcasters and, importantly, the impact on loyal daily viewers, especially those who rely on digital terrestrial services.
“Broadcasters want to focus their spending on content that truly reaches audiences. However, as digital terrestrial TV audiences fall, the cost per viewer rises, making it harder for channels, big or small, to sustain distribution.”
She added: “As fewer people rely on DTT, the cost per house is going up and will continue to do so. I am aware from my visits and meetings with providers that as part of the network reaches the end of life, investment would be needed to carry on even the current services.”
The Minister said: “I say that while very clearly saying that no decisions have been made; these are complex issues.”
Ms Peacock also acknowledged that ending terrestrial services would have a particular impact on older people.
“We know that there are groups of people who are more likely to be digitally excluded. They are often older, living in rural areas, more likely to be on lower incomes living alone, or they may have a disability. Those are the people who rely most on television, not just for news and entertainment, but for connection and companionship.”
