The three pillars of terrestrial TV
The DPA report identifies three themes that make terrestrial TV indispensable.
Community and Social Cohesion – terrestrial TV brings us together, whether for an emergency public broadcast, the Olympics, or a national event like the late Queen’s funeral. It’s the shared moments that define us as a nation in an increasingly fragmented society.
But as Big Issue readers know all too well, we live in a world of rising inequalities and deepening divides. We’re already battling misinformation, political polarisation and social disconnection. Removing one of the last universally trusted sources of news and cultural connection makes no sense.
Professor Ted Cantle, an expert in the field, sums it up: “Cohesion is a basic requirement for a healthy society and terrestrial TV remains a unifying force, bridging regional, income and generational divides”.
It’s hard to forget the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown we all endured. Schools and kids’ clubs were shut indefinitely, and for many low-income households without internet TV, it was terrestrial services like CBBC that delivered universal education at a critical time, together with reliable TV news being vital against a backdrop of online conspiracy theories.
Generation Rent and those in unstable, short-term housing with limited access to fixed broadband will be hit hard, too. 29% of those renting from housing associations or councils are without a keyboarded device capable of handling complex online tasks – like filling out applications – compared to 14% of homeowners. For those who are unemployed, this figure rises to 32%, and for those unable to work due to disability or long-term illness, 36%.
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Terrestrial TV also plays a critical role in integration, providing new arrivals in the UK with access to reliable news, English-language programming and cultural touchpoints that help them understand British society.
Without this universal service, those already facing barriers to inclusion could become even more isolated.
Accessibility and Reliability of Information – unlike streaming services, terrestrial TV doesn’t require a high-speed internet connection or costly subscriptions. This makes it the most accessible form of television for millions of people. In fact, 90% believe terrestrial TV is vital for ensuring access to information and entertainment for those who cannot afford expensive alternatives.
IPTV demands the ability to navigate a complex digital interface. As Irene, a contributor to our latest report, put it: “My parents are 76 years old; they don’t have internet and they wouldn’t entertain digital TV at all. Using a smart TV remote is hard, it’s too much for them. With a normal remote for terrestrial TV, they know how to use it.”
This isn’t about reluctance to change, it’s about accessibility and fairness. Research by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales found that as people age, they can lose digital skills. Removing terrestrial TV would lead to increased isolation and reduced access to vital services.
The transition to digital-only services would cost a whopping £2.1bn in upfront infrastructure costs, plus a further £1bn annually. 97% of people don’t believe this should be a government spending priority.
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Trust in Broadcast Content – the report also reveals that 96% of the UK population trusts terrestrial TV more than any other source of information. This level of trust is critical at a time when misinformation and digital disinformation are rampant online. Public service broadcasters like the BBC and ITV, which operate within strict editorial guidelines, play an essential role in providing accurate and unbiased news. Terrestrial TV guarantees universal access to these services.
Resilience isn’t just about preparing for disasters; it’s about maintaining the systems that keep people connected, informed, and engaged.
Terrestrial TV is one of those systems. It’s reliable in emergencies, it doesn’t depend on broadband infrastructure, and it fosters social cohesion in a way streaming services don’t. It strengthens communities, and once it’s gone, we won’t get it back.
As Dr Gregory Asmolov, another expert behind the report, warns: “Reliable communication during a crisis is essential, not only to keep affected communities informed but also to ensure efficient community mobilisation. Terrestrial TV plays a vital role in strengthening the resilience of crisis communications”.
The time to act is now
The DPA is calling on the government to extend the terrestrial TV license beyond 2034 and ensure that free-to-air services remain available as a universal public good.
The potential loss of terrestrial broadcasting would deepen existing inequalities and deprive millions of a trusted, accessible source of news, education, and community connection.
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If the public knew what was at stake, they wouldn’t stand for it. It is publications like the Big Issue that continue to champion the voice of those at risk of being forgotten, shining a spotlight on this pending social injustice.
Elizabeth Anderson is CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance.
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