A Freeview TV rescue plan has been unveiled amid fears that millions of users could lose access to the service. Media company Arqiva has proposed a strategy to maintain Freeview alongside streaming until at least 2045, warning that forcing viewers online could add hidden broadband costs and exclude older or vulnerable audiences.
Proposal Details
Arqiva's plan would reduce the number of national multiplexes from six to three and upgrade to the DVB-T2 standard for improved efficiency and HD capacity. This would cut broadcasting costs by over 40% while retaining 98.5% coverage. The company submitted evidence to the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee, arguing for a gradual transition rather than a rushed cut-off.
Current Legislation and Future Outlook
Under current legislation, Freeview is protected until at least 2034. However, the government is set to publish a consultation paper on the future of TV in the UK, which may consider ending digital terrestrial television (DTT). Since the last analogue signals were turned off in 2012, UK viewers have used either DTT (Freeview) or Internet Protocol Television (IPTV).
It is possible that 2034 could be Freeview's last year. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has outlined scenarios for those who might be left out by a switchover. An estimated 1.8 million homes could be reliant on Freeview in 2035 if no support is provided. Of these, 1.1 million are expected to have broadband but not use online TV services, while 700,000 are forecast to have no broadband connection.
Arqiva's proposal aims to ensure that live and local TV remains accessible and affordable for all, preventing a digital divide that could leave millions without television.
