Scrapping traditional terrestrial TV could lead to significant voter backlash similar to the uproar caused by potential cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment, according to a recent poll.
The poll reveals that 75% of voters would see the discontinuation of terrestrial TV as a form of betrayal. More than half of the respondents indicated that a political party’s commitment to safeguarding traditional TV would influence their voting decision. The current licenses for free-to-air terrestrial broadcast TV are set to expire in the early 2030s.
The Broadcast 2040+ campaign, supported by organizations like the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) and the Rural Services Network, is advocating for a hybrid approach to future TV and radio services. They stress the importance of maintaining universal access to terrestrial TV alongside internet streaming to ensure inclusivity.
A comprehensive survey involving over 25,000 individuals across 100 constituencies found that 75% of the public considers terrestrial TV a fundamental service that should be protected in the long run. Additionally, 52% of respondents emphasized the importance of fairness in TV services, ranking it alongside issues like winter fuel payments and disability benefits.
Even among those who primarily stream TV online, three-quarters still value terrestrial TV as a crucial component of the public safety net that should be preserved.
The survey highlighted strong opposition to scrapping terrestrial TV, particularly among rural voters, parents, individuals with disabilities, and those with lower incomes. The campaign group warns that eliminating terrestrial TV could bolster Reform’s support, especially leading up to the 2026 elections in Scotland and Wales.
Various stakeholders, including Dennis Reed of Silver Voices and Labour MP Sarah Champion, emphasized the significance of universal public services like terrestrial TV for millions of people across the UK. They urge policymakers to consider the public’s desire to retain terrestrial TV for the foreseeable future.
Conservative MP David Mundell echoed these sentiments, underscoring the risks of hasty changes to public services that communities rely on. He emphasized the importance of ensuring access to terrestrial TV in rural and remote areas where broadband connectivity may be limited.
Members of the Broadcast 2040+ campaign, such as Age UK, the Digital Poverty Alliance, Silver Voices, and the Rural Services Network, are advocating for the preservation of terrestrial TV. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) expressed a commitment to ensuring no one is left behind as TV consumption shifts online and is collaborating with industry stakeholders on a sustainable TV distribution strategy for the future, including a decision on extending digital terrestrial television commitments until at least 2034.