Is traditional TV viewing set for a big switch-off ?

‘Millions rely on free-to-air TV’

TERRESTRIAL television could become a thing of the past as broadcasters have hinted all channels may soon be received through the internet rather than via aerial.

Ofcom said TV companies have told them ‘for the first time’ they are expecting to axe channels from digital terrestrial television.

But campaigners say they are concerned by the findings amid fears of ‘TV exclusion’ for older viewers.

In a report written for Government about the ‘future of TV distribution’, Ofcom said about 5.3million households solely access television over the internet, with most audiences – 17.9 million households – described as ‘hybrid viewers’ using traditional TV and online services.

But it added there were 3.9 million households that ‘solely rely’ on digital terrestrial television (DTT) and its satellite equivalent Freesat.

It admitted this included ‘people who are older, less affluent or have a disability’ amid widespread concern that ‘some may never transition’ to internet TV.

The DTT platform provides universal access to TV using radio frequencies. Ofcom laid out three different models for the future, including switching off terrestrial. The other two models it suggested were ‘investment in a more efficient DTT service’ or ‘reducing’ it to a core service.

The report suggested that the viewing of scheduled TV channels through DTT is forecast to drop from 62 per cent of viewing of programmes in 2023 to 22 per cent by 2040.

But it is understood that public service broadcasters, such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, are required to be on digital terrestrial television, so it would require a change in the law for this not to be the case.

A spokesman for the Broadcast 2040+ Campaign, which aims to ‘secure the future’ of broadcast TV and radio to ‘2040 and beyond’ called for the Government to ‘protect traditional terrestrial TV, received for free via an aerial, for the long term’.

The spokesman said: ‘Any debate about the future of television must put viewers first.

‘Millions of people rely on universal, free-to-air terrestrial TV.’

Ed Leighton, Ofcom’s director of strategy and policy, said: ‘Digital terrestrial television faces big longterm challenges and audiences who rely on it deserve a solution that is sustainable and fit for the future. It requires a new vision and planning across industry and government.’