A significant number of households in the UK are already utilizing the internet for live and on-demand viewing, and it appears that more Britons may soon join them. According to a recent study commissioned by Sky, nearly all households could potentially have access to internet-based TV by the mid-2030s, leading to the retirement of traditional terrestrial TV distribution methods, such as Freeview.
Numerous options currently exist for watching TV without requiring an aerial, including Sky’s latest streaming offerings and the newly introduced Freely service, which is under the same ownership as Freeview. Freely is now integrated into many new television sets, offering viewers access to both live and on-demand content through a broadband connection.
The increasing presence of internet-connected devices in households is leading to a decline in traditional broadcast TV viewership, with more individuals turning to streaming services.
Another challenge facing Freeview is the potential sharing of its radio frequencies with mobile operators in the UK post-2031. This development could further undermine the viability of the current over-the-air transmission system.
The expenses associated with maintaining the aging TV distribution infrastructure are escalating, prompting discussions within the UK government regarding future strategies.
Commenting on the latest findings, Nick Herm, Group Chief Operating Officer at Sky, emphasized the potential synergy between modern TV services and social inclusivity. He stated that transitioning entirely to internet-based TV in the 2030s is feasible and could contribute to narrowing the digital divide rather than exacerbating it.
“Given the widespread adoption of streaming services, government investments in enhancing skills and providing affordable connectivity to the relatively small number of households still reliant on traditional TV systems could yield broader societal benefits beyond television, while also saving significant sums on maintaining legacy infrastructures,” Herm added.
While some individuals may welcome the shift towards streaming platforms, not everyone is enthusiastic about the transition. A current petition opposing the phasing out of Freeview has garnered over 100,000 signatures, with many expressing concerns about their ability to access TV content without it. Unlike traditional TV, which only requires an aerial, streaming services necessitate a reliable and costly internet connection.
The petition highlights the perceived threat to terrestrial television, notably Freeview, and the potential future reliance solely on internet-based TV (IPTV). This shift could compel every household to subscribe to an expensive fixed broadband service to continue enjoying their favorite TV programs.
One of the dissatisfied voices amidst these changes is Lynette, an 80-year-old resident of Kent.
“Free Terrestrial TV is indispensable for me – be it for entertainment, news updates, or educational content from magazine shows,” Lynette emphasized.
“I am averse to navigating through multiple apps and setting up new accounts, and I dislike the personalized content recommendations that streaming services often provide. My attempts at watching TV programs online with family have been disrupted by buffering issues and error messages. I experimented with a streaming platform once and found it unsatisfactory