Coalition grows to save our TV

PRESSURE is mounting on ministers to save traditional TV after record viewing figures for the Eurovision final and the Coronation.

A coalition of groups demanding vital services are protected has grown significantly.

The Broadcast 2040+ campaign, which wants the Government to guarantee access to Freeview and radio beyond the year 2040, now has 30 members.

Under current plans aerial services are guaranteed only to the mid-2030s.

The Daily Express and the coalition – which includes older people’s campaigners Silver Voices – fear that streaming services such as Netflix,Amazon Prime and Disney+ might eventually force out terrestrial TV.

Latest partners include the Digital Poverty Alliance, the Campaign to End Loneliness and the National Federation of the Blind of the UK. Broadcast groups which have joined include Local TV Network which represents 34 services,World DAB – the global industry forum for digital radio – and communityfocused free-to-air channel Together TV.

Broadcast 2040+ says Freeview TV and broadcast radio are universal and do not need high-speed broadband nor a subscription – making them good for low-income homes, senior citizens and rural dwellers.

Studies show a significant negative impact with any loss of broadcast TV and radio, particularly for those who are vulnerable when cut off from news and entertainment.

More than 9.9 million saw the Eurovision Song Contest final and a peak of 20 million in the UK followed the crowning of Charles III – the most watched broadcast of the year.

Unless the Government acts before a key November conference, frequencies for digital terrestrial TV (Freeview) may be lost.