Pressure is mounting on the Government to safeguard digital terrestrial TV (more commonly known as Freeview) and aerial radio services until at least 2040

Last week the Broadcast 2040+ campaign, of which the Rural Services Network was a founding member, announced that it is expanding its members significantly to 30 leading UK organisations. The groups represent a broad variety of voices from across the broadcast, radio and charity sectors and is calling for: a commitment to broadcast TV and radio services underpins the UK Government’s future media policy so that these vital services remain available to everyone, up to and beyond 2040.

Among the new members who are urging the Government to protect these crucial services are the Digital Poverty Alliance, an organisation committed to supporting those who live without, or with very minimal, access to the internet, the Campaign to End Loneliness, a network of organisations working to support lonely people reconnect with their community and the National Federation of the Blind of the UK.

Under the Government’s current policy, these services are only guaranteed until the early 2030s. The coalition of members collectively agrees that this lack of certainty will have a detrimental impact on the millions of people who rely heavily on broadcast and radio services, particularly the most vulnerable in society, including those isolated in rural communities.

One of the most common issues that Rural Services Network members raise is their struggle to access sufficient broadband connectivity and the impact that has on being able to use streaming services as a reliable source of entertainment. Similarly, according to Ofcom’s 2022 Online Nations report, 6% of UK adults don’t have an internet connection at home. This is higher in Wales (9%) and Scotland (7%), which contain the most rural geographies across the UK. It is unsurprising that 85% of adults in Great Britain suggest government or local MPs should actively support the continued provision of broadcast services.

The campaign’s expansion follows record breaking TV viewing figures over recent weeks, which saw the nation come together to celebrate Eurovision and King Charles III’s Coronation. Over 9.9 million watched the Eurovision Song Contest grand final on the BBC and an impressive peak of 20 million Britons tuned in to celebrate the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey on May 6th.

These huge numbers demonstrate the importance of broadcast services to people up and down the country, including those in rural areas and emphasises how crucial the Broadcast 2040+ campaign’s efforts to protect these services are. Without these services, those who rely on them as lifelines – especially in rural and remote locations – would be at much greater risk of being left behind.

We will continue to work with our fellow coalition members to ensure that safeguards are put in place. Keep your eyes peeled as the campaign will be sharing updates on its activities to secure the future of broadcast services throughout the year.

For more information on how to get involved, interested parties can email: [email protected]  or visit our website: https://www.broadcast2040plus.org.

The campaign has recently been featured in the Daily Express and this article can be viewed here

The Rural Services Network (RSN) is a founding coalition member of the Broadcast 2040+ campaign. The campaign was established to ensure the Government’s media policy protects vital broadcast TV and radio services for decades to come. As it stands, these services are only guaranteed until the early 2030s.