Traditional TV viewers will ‘not be left behind’
MINISTERS could extend the Government’s commitment to protect traditional TV services beyond the mid-2030s.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer will announce plans today that will look at keeping Freeview on air after the planned switch-off.
This comes as a welcome boost to campaigners to safeguard the format.
Millions of people – including older, vulnerable and isolated citizens – will be badly affected if services are turned off too soon.
The Daily Express and the Broadcast 2040+ coalition, which includes senior citizens’ group Silver Voices, are demanding ministers take action to protect terrestrial television until at least the 2040s.
Ms Frazer, in a speech at the Royal Television Society Cambridge Conference, will give assurances to traditional TV watchers amid the growth of online streaming services.
She will say: “As we focus on the future, our attention must also be on making sure people are not left behind. New ways of consuming TV should not come at the expense of those who still enjoy terrestrial television.
“This government wants to encourage the sector to keep embracing innovation – but we’re not going to pull the rug from under the audiences of Freeview channels.
“We want terrestrial television to remain accessible for the foreseeable future.” To support this, she will announce a research programme looking at the future of UK TV.
She says this will help inform long-term policy decisions on whether to extend the commitment to keep Freeview until at least 2034.
Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, said: “This shows our arguments about the importance of broadcast TV and radio are cutting through to the highest levels.”