Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to maintain the availability of free terrestrial television channels beyond (a) 2029 and (b) 2034; and what assessment she has made of the (i) financial impact on viewers and (b) national security implications in the event of hostile interference with streaming services, following the closure of such channels.

The Government recognises the importance of free-to-air terrestrial television and is considering its longer-term future as viewing increasingly moves online. In particular, Parliament has legislated to secure the future of digital terrestrial television (DTT) until at least 2034. The Media Green Paper, Watch this space, sought views on 2034 and 2044 as possible dates for a managed transition to IPTV, and on how such a transition can be managed in a way that protects audiences and supports a sustainable broadcasting sector. The Government is currently considering the responses it received and will set out its preferred approach in due course. Affordability and national security are key considerations, and the Government is seeking views on how the TV, digital and telecommunications sectors can address these challenges. Commercial broadcasters will also have an important role in determining the future availability of their own free-to-air services on DTT, within the relevant regulatory and policy framework.