Safeguarding broadcast TV and radio to 2040 and beyond
Millions of people in homes and businesses across the UK enjoy and rely on broadcast services, but their future is uncertain.
Broadcast TV and radio play an important role in our lives – providing everyone with access to national events like the Coronation, live news, sport, and entertainment. They keep us informed and bind us together as a nation.
But despite the importance of these services, their future is not guaranteed.
Current Government policy means that broadcast TV and radio - traditional services delivered through an aerial - are only guaranteed until the early 2030s. It is critical that the Government safeguards the long-term future of these services to ensure that free-to-air broadcast TV and radio continues to be available across the UK.
That is why the Broadcast 2040+ coalition has been set up. The Broadcast 2040+ campaign brings together a range of voices with a shared goal – to secure the future of broadcast TV and radio to 2040 and beyond. We want the Government to guarantee that these important services will continue to be available to the millions of viewers and listeners that rely on them.
This is an issue of fundamental national importance. Broadcast services are important to millions of viewers and listeners across the UK, but some groups depend on them more than others. The people who value broadcast the most are often those who have the least. This includes the most vulnerable members of our society, such as older people, people who are digitally excluded and people on lower incomes. People in rural areas, with less access to high-quality broadband, are also more reliant on broadcast services. Broadcast TV and radio does not require a superfast broadband connection or expensive monthly subscriptions – ensuring that everyone can receive great quality content.
90% of adults across Great Britain believe that broadcast TV and radio services should be supported for the long-term
8 in 10 see Freeview via an aerial as important if not essential to their daily lives
Four in Five (82%) of adults say they’ve listened to broadcast radio over the past year
85% of adults believe Government or local MPs should actively support the continued provision of broadcast TV and radio services into the future
Source: Ipsos Report, 2022, Importance of Digital Terrestrial Television and Broadcast Radio
Latest News
Silver Voices Petition
Over-60s campaign group Silver Voices has launched a petition calling on the Government to guarantee access to digital terrestrial television (Freeview) and radio beyond 2040.
Silver Voices is a partner in the Broadcast 2040+ campaign and represents the millions of older people who rely on digital terrestrial television and radio for entertainment and to stay connected.
You can read more about the Silver Voices petition in the Daily Express, which has launched the 'Keep Us Tuned In' campaign, calling on the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to safeguard the essential broadcast services relied on by older people, rural communities and other vulnerable groups.
For more information, and to add your signature, please visit the UK Parliament Petitions website: Guarantee access to broadcast TV (Freeview) and aerial radio beyond 2040 - Petitions (parliament.uk)
For more information about our campaign or any questions, please email contact@broadcast2040plus.org