Amidst renewed uncertainty for the UK’s digital terrestrial television service, better known as Freeview, new research shows widespread support even from users who’ve switched to streaming.
- Research underlines importance of a universal free-to-air TV service for some groups of society.
- Public broadcasters have failed to support retaining a terrestrial TV service
The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) – a UK-based charity dedicated to addressing the digital divide and combating digital exclusion across vulnerable communities – is calling on the government to give long-term protection to the UK’s free-to-air terrestrial TV service, as new research finds strong support (73%) for retaining it and low awareness that its future is under threat.
Ministers are currently examining the future of TV distribution ahead of a decision on whether to continue Freeview.
Produced in collaboration with academics working in the fields of community cohesion and global digital politics, the report reveals terrestrial TV’s universal coverage and free-to-air transmission – which allow all households to watch TV without the need for high speed broadband or monthly subscriptions – are crucial to the UK’s social resilience.
The report defines the UK’s ‘social resilience’ as the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt, endure and recover from adversity, while fostering positive relationships and maintaining cohesion. The report finds that terrestrial TV is one of our last truly universal services as defined by the ability for all audiences in the UK, regardless of economic means or social background, to access a broad range of content – without the challenges of paying for broadband and digital skills.
▶ Explainer
Terrestrial TV went digital-only in the UK on a region-by-region basis between 2008 and 2012. Digital Terrestrial TV is more commonly known as ‘Freeview’. Public broadcasters have launched Freely to help migrate more users to streaming TV. However, the digital terrestrial TV signal is still used as a fallback if the broadband connection goes down.
The research found 90% of the public “agree that terrestrial TV is valuable for ensuring that those who cannot afford these expensive monthly bills have universal access to information and entertainment”. Even those who do not currently rely on terrestrial TV to stay connected value it, with 70% feeling reassured that it is available as a fallback option.
Of those who live in rental accommodation and watch terrestrial TV, more than one in three (34%) would feel isolated. Meanwhile, more than one in four (27%) would feel disconnected if they lost access to terrestrial TV. The charity says free-to-air terrestrial TV is a valued lifeline for those forced to make difficult choices about how to allocate their resources.
Other findings include:
- 90% value terrestrial TV for ensuring people who cannot afford expensive monthly bills have universal access to information and entertainment
- 75% agree that terrestrial TV helps reduce loneliness
- 73% believe that terrestrial TV should be protected well beyond 2035
- 85% say that terrestrial TV is important to help understand history and traditions
- 70% of the public feel reassured knowing that terrestrial TV is there as a backup
- More than 2/3 of people (69% are unaware that terrestrial TV is under threat
Why is Freeview threatened?
In 2024, free-to-air broadcasters and regulator Ofcom warned of a tipping point in terms of the viability of terrestrial TV broadcasts. The BBC highlighted the increasing cost of terrestrial TV per user. It also put a question mark over whether or not it could justify the ongoing expenditure.
Commercial multiplex operators are already struggling to fill capacity as channels switch to streaming instead. The BBC has so far refused to commit to maintaining terrestrial TV services. The broadcast licence for one of its digital terrestrial TV multiplexes expires next year.
A forum to advise on the future of TV distribution has been launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Minister, Stephanie Peacock MP. The review will run for at least the next 12 months. It aims to provide clarity on the long-term future of digital terrestrial TV.
Frequencies used by Freeview were safeguarded in 2023 until at least the middle of the next decade. All currently issued Ofcom licences to broadcast on terrestrial TV expire on 31st December 2034.
Resilience and replacement options
However, replacement streaming services will need to become more resilient and affordable. During Storm Éowyn, more users were affected by mobile and fixed line internet outages than outages on traditional broadcast platforms, where none of the UK’s main TV and radio transmitters, nor satellite network were affected. In contrast, telephone and internet network operator Openreach spoke of unprecedented damage to its network.
Incidentally, other European countries are working on adopting 5G Broadcast as a potential replacement for current digital terrestrial TV services. A single signal could then supply TV, mobiles and other connected devices with a basic TV service. Regular broadband internet services would continue to offer a wider range of streaming TV services.
By: Marc Thornham