Terrestrial television, received through an aerial, often known as Freeview, is under serious threat of being scrapped. Within months the Government will decide whether to turn off terrestrial signals and rely solely on internet-based TV (IPTV) in the future. This would mean that every household would be forced to take out an expensive fixed broadband contract if they wished to continue watching their favourite TV programmes. Radio reception and signals for emergency services could also be put at risk. Millions of older and disabled people, and those on low and modest incomes, would lose their essential access to TV to keep them in touch with the world and to prevent isolation and loneliness.

Lynette, aged 80, who lives in Kent, says: “Free Terrestrial TV is essential for me – whether it’s for entertainment, the news or even learning new things from magazine shows.  I don’t want to be choosing apps and making new accounts, I don’t want a screen that pops up with the TV trying to work out what I want to watch.  I’ve tried watching television programmes online with family members, and they stop part way through with a whirling circle and then an error message appears.  I tried a streaming service and didn’t like it.  It is time-consuming and irritating trying to work out where I want to be, to remember the sequence of clicks, with hieroglyphics instead of words.  If I make a mistake I have to start again.  I have more important things to remember than clogging up my memory with unnecessary information.

"With my TV in my kitchen, and the normal channels through an aerial, I can leave a channel on that I know I like.  I’m worried that the government will decide to take that away from me and others, who either don’t like, can’t afford or can’t use online versions”.

The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are all working together to convince the Government to take the drastic step of an early transition to IPTV, without any genuine concern about the millions who would lose out from such a move. IPTV would mean the end of a near universal free to air service, currently reaching 98.5% of households, where national moments of celebration and crisis can be shared. Although the Government maintains that it has an open mind, the lobbying of the broadcasters is intense, and elements in the Government want to use an IPTV switchover as a battering ram in forcing the UK population to accept, and pay for, the digital revolution. A recent Government stakeholder consultation exercise to inform the Minister in making his decision was heavily biased in favour of a rushed move to all-IPTV.

In contrast, the petitioners do not oppose IPTV in principle but would like to see the current hybrid system, where households can choose between the two systems, or continue with both as a safety net, be maintained for an extended period.

This petition, published by Silver Voices with the support of the Digital Poverty Alliance and the Broadcast 2040+ Coalition, calls on the Government to decide in favour of the viewer and pledge to keep Freeview terrestrial TV until at least the mid- 2040s.

SAVE FREEVIEW TV: SIGN AND SHARE THIS PETITION!