For many people living in rural communities, television is more than just entertainment: it is a vital lifeline for news, information, and connection - particularly for older residents or those who may feel isolated.

The BBC has proposed switching off Freeview (digital terrestrial television) by the mid-2030s. This means households would need a high-speed broadband subscription to access BBC channels, potentially costing them hundreds of pounds per year.

While there has been progress in improving rural broadband, there are still areas where connectivity is unreliable or too slow to support streaming. Any move to an internet-only service before fast broadband is available to all rural households risks leaving communities behind.

We want to hear how you feel about the prospect of needing to pay for broadband to watch television that is currently free to view.

• Do you rely on Freeview television as an essential source of news, information, or entertainment?

• Would a switch to internet-only BBC services impact your household?

• Does your household currently have reliable and fast enough broadband connection to support streaming?

• Should the government ensure Freeview continues until broadband is fully available and reliable for rural areas?

• Would you consider no longer paying the licence fee if TV becomes internet only?

 Your feedback matters. We want to hear directly from rural communities so we can make sure the government understands the real impact before any decisions are made about the future of television in the UK. 

Submit your views here.