Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

New Freeview 'Switch Off' Update as Government Issues Statement

Ministers are weighing a streaming shift that could affect 16 million homes, while critics warn households without reliable broadband could lose TV access.

  • The UK Government plans to phase out Digital Terrestrial Television , with a Green Paper expected in the coming weeks outlining a roadmap for the transition away from Freeview.
  • Broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 back the transition, citing massive costs to maintain signals for a declining viewer base as streaming increasingly replaces live TV for many Brits.
  • Ofcom reports 16 million homes, or 60% of TV households, use Freeview, while the Commons Library found 17% of UK households relied entirely on DTT in 2023.
  • Tofts warned that moving to internet-delivered TV could widen the digital divide, while telecoms company Arqiva is campaigning to delay the shift until 2040 or beyond.
  • A Government spokesman told The Express the administration is committed to ensuring "no one is left behind," though officials have not yet decided whether to extend the DTT commitment beyond 2034.
Insights by Ground AI

16 Articles

The Herald ScotlandThe Herald Scotland
+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Lean Left

Freeview could be switched off under new plans from UK government affecting millions

Freeview could be switched off under new plans from the UK Government.

·Scotland, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

ispreview.co.uk broke the news on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal