Elderly and disabled viewers who rely on Freeview face seeing channels and programmes axed even if plans for online-only TV by 2034 are delayed, industry leaders warned, reports BritPanorama.
Ministers have indicated there is a “compelling” case for switching off terrestrial TV delivered over household aerials (DTT) by 2034, as more viewers transition to streaming platforms.
However, Andy Burnham made a surprise intervention on Tuesday, expressing his concerns to MPs regarding these plans and pledging to take a “proper look” at delaying them. The Prime Minister noted that “some of my constituents in Makerfield rely on Freeview.”
Campaigners advocating for a delay argue that those on low incomes, especially the elderly and disabled, would incur significant increases in costs, potentially paying up to £300 a year for high-speed broadband contracts to access equivalent channels.
However, proponents of the switch-off caution that maintaining Freeview in its current form will not be feasible, as broadcasters are already withdrawing due to economic factors. Natalie Ceeney, chair of The Connection Project, a broadcasting industry group, stated that the cost of maintaining DTT would increasingly be placed upon the public, which might lead to cuts in programming.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Thompson, chief executive of Everyone TV, which manages Freeview, warned that the financial model for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) diminishes as audiences migrate online, threatening to create a two-tier system where streaming services thrive while traditional terrestrial options dwindle. He illustrated this imbalance by noting the stark difference in operational costs between broadcasting to a wide audience and dwindling viewership.
A recent report by analysts Oliver & Ohlbaum revealed that the UK’s public service broadcasters spend approximately £156 million annually on Freeview transmissions while also funding access to those same channels online. Transitioning away from Freeview would potentially allow these institutions to allocate more resources to programming. Additionally, the BBC has stated that maintaining terrestrial TV costs will increasingly fall on the licence fee payer, suggesting possible hikes in the £180 annual fee or further programme cuts.
Concerns regarding the implications of a switch-off were amplified by a poll conducted prior to the Makerfield by-election, revealing that 80% of constituents supported keeping terrestrial television until 2044. Labour MPs are increasingly apprehensive that the proposed switch-off could alienate voters in marginal seats during the upcoming general election.
Some estimates suggest that around five million households may still be using Freeview in 2034. In response, a cross-party group of MPs has urged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to reconsider the proposed timeline.
Despite the official position favouring a transition to IPTV, a spokesperson affirmed that no final decisions have been made, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring affordable television access for all. The Government continues to work on improving nationwide broadband coverage with Project Gigabit, which aims to enhance connectivity in rural areas.
