The Countryside Alliance has submitted a detailed response to the government’s consultation on the future of UK broadcasting, drawing on the opinions of more than 1,000 members and supporters to argue that Freeview should not be switched off until reliable, affordable, and universal alternatives are available.
Published in June, the Green Paper, Watch this space: a new strategic direction for UK media, discusses a broad range of issues affecting the future of British broadcasting, including whether Digital Terrestrial Television (which carries the Freeview service) could be replaced with internet-based alternatives as soon as the mid-2030s. As we have noted, while an eventual switch-off is likely inevitable, ending Freeview before reliable alternatives are available risks leaving rural communities behind.
Before the consultation was launched, we sought the opinions of members and supporters through a survey that saw more than 1,000 submissions, with 734 respondents providing detailed written evidence concerning their personal experiences with television and broadband provision in rural Britain. These responses formed the basis of the report that the Countryside Alliance has since submitted to the government.
Our survey found nearly 96% of respondents rely on Freeview, with 83% describing it as an essential source of news and entertainment, alongside an additional 12% who said they use the platform regularly. Written responses described the role of Freeview not just as a source of entertainment, but as a trusted and dependable way of accessing news and coverage of national events, especially for older people and those living alone.
65% of respondents said their internet connection is neither fast nor reliable enough to support streamed television services, illustrating how, for many rural households, official broadband coverage figures do not reflect the service received. With broadband being affected by network congestion, weather and service outages, internet television simply cannot yet replace the trusted and dependable service Freeview currently provides for everyone. Many nonetheless noted the strengths of internet television, arguing it should complement, not replace Digital Terrestrial Television.
Responses also identified financial consequences, including the need to install faster broadband and replacement equipment to facilitate streaming, which is particularly concerning for those on pensions and households living on fixed incomes. For those who don’t otherwise need an internet connection, it represents a new cost to maintain an existing service.
The Countryside Alliance welcomes British technological innovation, but rural communities must not be left behind. If and when Digital Terrestrial Television is eventually withdrawn, users must first have confidence that broadband services are reliable and affordable enough to make internet television a genuine alternative for every household.
You can read our full consultation response and survey report to explore our findings in detail.