Campaigners representing rural communities and vulnerable groups, including the elderly, are urging the public to respond within 24 hours to government plans that could see terrestrial TV switched off for millions. A key consultation document closes at midnight tonight, and anyone wanting to respond must act now.
Proposed switch-off and its scale
The BBC has proposed switching off Freeview, the digital terrestrial television (DTT) service, by the mid-2030s. A Green Paper released by the government last month outlined proposals to scrap aerial-based DTT in favour of internet-based services, with the earliest proposed transition date set for 2034. This would spell the end of Freeview, which currently serves 12.9 million homes across the UK and remains the primary television platform for 40 per cent of households with a set.
Up to 1.5 million households are anticipated to still be dependent on DTT by 2035. Upon publication of the Green Paper, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy argued the shift was necessary as 'the media landscape moves further and further online'.
Campaigners call for delay
Campaign group Broadcast 2040+ is among those pushing for the switchover to be postponed until at least 2044, and has written to Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, a minister in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and former chair of Labour's Rural Research Group. In their letter, Broadcast 2040+ contends that transitioning to internet streaming of Freeview channels would leave millions completely without television access.
The letter stated: "We believe that free, universal access to public service content is best delivered through the terrestrial TV network, which remains the most reliable and equitable platform for reaching the widest possible audience. However, the future of this network is uncertain. Media Minister Stephanie Peacock MP is currently leading a year-long review into the future of TV distribution in the UK, and the Government has yet to commit to maintaining terrestrial TV beyond 2034."
It added: "At the same time, some industry stakeholders are actively lobbying for a full switch-off of terrestrial services. This would force millions of households to rely solely on internet-based platforms to access news, entertainment, sports, and children's content - potentially excluding an estimated 5.5 million premises which are predicted not to have a broadband connection by 2040, at significant cost to Government and the wider economy."
Broadband gaps and industry views
Government figures released last month reveal that merely 70 per cent of rural residences have access to gigabit-capable broadband, in contrast to 92 per cent in towns and cities. In the most remote rural locations, this figure plummeted to just 60 per cent. As of November, Ofcom reported that 26,000 properties across England still lack any adequate broadband connection whatsoever.
Broadcasters contend that maintaining dual transmission systems — both the traditional terrestrial aerial network and online streaming — is becoming increasingly costly. Switching off Freeview would save millions in distribution costs, releasing that funding for programming instead. Jonathan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Everyone TV, said: "Free TV isn't going anywhere. This is a debate about the long-term future of television distribution, and any transition to internet-delivered TV would need to be carefully managed to ensure nobody is left behind."
He added: "The latest BARB data shows that 2.6 million households currently rely on terrestrial television because they don't have broadband or an internet-connected TV. 870,000 Freeview homes have no broadband at all. The scale of the households affected by any future transition will be significantly smaller than the figures being suggested in the wider debate."
Thompson continued: "Campaigning to maintain terrestrial television infrastructure is not the same as campaigning to save Freeview or free TV. The priority should be a shared goal of safeguarding universal access to free TV for everyone who enjoys it today, while preparing for the way people will watch television in the future."
Concerns for vulnerable and rural households
Critics contend that terminating Freeview as early as 2034 would leave numerous households without sufficient broadband to reliably watch television, and could compel millions to spend hundreds of pounds extra on costly internet packages and potentially new television sets. Silver Voices Director Dennis Reed cautioned that switching off Freeview could become 'Burnham's winter fuel moment'.
Reed said: "Andy Burnham would be bonkers to proceed with this premature plan. Most affected would be low income families and pensioners who will not be able to afford the [broadband] contracts, and those in isolated and rural communities who cannot receive fast broadband at all." He added: "Mark my words, if the Freeview switch off goes ahead it will become Burnham's winter fuel moment."
A petition hosted on Change.org has amassed over 150,000 signatures amid concerns that vulnerable groups, including the elderly, may be compelled to pay for broadband connections and new television sets, while rural areas could face being left behind. The Countryside Alliance stated: "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."
According to a survey highlighted by the Big Issue, nearly seven in 10 people are oblivious to the government's impending decision regarding Freeview's future. The BBC has proposed switching off Freeview by the mid-2030s, meaning households would need a high-speed broadband subscription to access BBC channels, potentially costing them hundreds of pounds per year.
Natalie Ceeney, chair of the Connection Project, stated: "Nobody is arguing that rural areas should lose their access to television. We're clear that a 2034 switchover requires ubiquitous broadband connectivity as well as the right service design and trusted support. It also unlocks the possibility of bringing more households into the digital world."
Ceeney added: "All of this can benefit rural communities, some of whom even today don't experience the full Freeview package. Delaying the switchover to 2044 risks trapping those homes on a declining service, before they have to make the transition anyway."
Government response and next steps
Murray, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, confirmed a consultation is currently underway regarding the proposal – with the public having only until 31st August to submit their responses. He explained: "Parliament has secured the future of Freeview, also known as digital terrestrial television (DTT), until at least 2034, and no decision has been made about what happens beyond this. On 23 June, the Government published a Green Paper, Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media which consults on both 2034 and 2044 as possible timeframes to switch off DTT."
A Government spokesperson commented: "There is a strong case for a long-term transition to IPTV [internet protocol television], but no decisions have been made." The spokesperson added: "The purpose of the media green paper is to gather views from across the sector and the public before any final decisions are taken. We are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind as TV viewing increasingly moves online. Any future transition would only proceed once we are confident the right safeguards, infrastructure and support are in place so that everyone can continue to access television affordably and with confidence."
The consultation closes at midnight tonight, with the petition and Countryside Alliance survey remaining open for signatures and responses.
