Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress has the Future of TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum made.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Future of TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum met 6 times times over the course of one year, to identify key issues, build the evidence base, and explore policy options. The Stakeholder Forum was supported by three working groups covering the TV sector, infrastructure, and audiences. The first meeting took place in November 2024 and the final meeting in December 2025. No further meetings of the forum are planned.
The future of TV distribution project has entered the next phase reviewing evidence produced by the forum and other stakeholders. Stakeholder Forum papers, as well as the minutes of the Forum, will be published in due course on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of switching off digital terrestrial television on levels of digital and social exclusion among older people, disabled people, those on low incomes and people in rural areas; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing specific mitigation measures to protect those groups in the event of such a switch off, including financial support, connectivity support or alternative provision of free to air television services.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government recognises the vital role television plays in the lives of people across the UK and the impact that the discontinuation of digital terrestrial television may have on those at risk of digital and social exclusion, including those with low incomes and in fuel poverty.
The future of digital terrestrial television is secured in legislation until at least 2034. In considering the availability of services beyond this point, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the voluntary sector, and industry to ensure all aspects of digital inclusion are considered at every stage of the decision making process.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the (a) one-off and (b) ongoing costs to households, including those with low incomes and in fuel poverty, of a switch-off of the digital terrestrial television network, including (i) new set-top boxes, (ii) new televisions, (iii) broadband subscriptions and (iv) any installation/IT support for vulnerable households.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government recognises the vital role television plays in the lives of people across the UK and the impact that the discontinuation of digital terrestrial television may have on those at risk of digital and social exclusion, including those with low incomes and in fuel poverty.
The future of digital terrestrial television is secured in legislation until at least 2034. In considering the availability of services beyond this point, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the voluntary sector, and industry to ensure all aspects of digital inclusion are considered at every stage of the decision making process.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Government has carried out scenario testing of the potential impact of the switch-off of digital terrestrial television on emergency communications.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government understands the importance of everyone being able to access information in times of national emergency. Both television and radio play a vital role in providing such access for a range of different emergency scenarios, including scenarios where other communications may be disrupted.
The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications in a range of scenarios.
The Government’s project looking into the future of TV distribution is considering a range of relevant factors, including the future resilience requirements for broadcast networks. It is important that audiences continue to receive consistent levels of service regardless of how they receive their television, and ensuring that this can happen will be a priority for the project.