Major Freeview switch-off update issued by Andy Burnham

Plans to switch-off Freeview have been addressed by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham following concerns that older people and those in rural areas face losing TV broadcasts.

For years, proposals have been put forwards to phase out over-the-air digital Freeview signals and replace it with an internet-only streaming service.

Already, Freely offers a web-based alernative to Freeview’s set of free-to-air channels.

A petition was launched by the Countryside Alliance in a bid to save Freeview’s over-the-air broadcasts following the possible end date of the service being put forward by ministers.

As many as 9.7 million UK households still use Freeview, the free-to-air digital service which is pre-installed on all TVs, as well as free satellite equivalent Freesat.

But Freeview is only guaranteed to continue to broadcast over the air until 2034, and its future beyond that date is up in the air (or no longer over the air, as the case may be).

Andy Burnham has said he is “concerned” about plans to switch off aerial-based digital terrestrial television, and has promised to “have a proper look at it”.

It comes after a green paper released by the Government last month outlined proposals to scrap Freeview in favour of internet-based services.

The BBC and other UK broadcasters are backing the end of terrestrial TV as access to internet-based services soars and providers pivot toward online delivery and apps like BBC iPlayer and Freely.

They argue that maintaining both terrestrial and online systems is increasingly costly and inefficient as audiences naturally move to internet streaming.

However, critics of the policy argue that Freeview is important for the elderly, disabled people and those on low incomes.

Mr Burnham said the issue could be looked at as part of the BBC Charter renewal process ahead of the current charter’s expiration on December 31 2027.

Asked by Tory former Cabinet minister David Mundell about the proposal to switch of Freeview, Mr Burnham said: “I’ll give him an honest answer: I am concerned about those plans, too.

“I know some of my constituents in Makerfield rely on Freeview.

“There is perhaps an opportunity to look at this as part of the BBC Charter renewal process.

“I can’t give him a final answer today, but I recognise it’s a genuine issue that he’s raised. I know it will be of concern to his constituents, and let me have a proper look at it.”

His comments came after Mr Mundell said: “One measure which would not cost him anything, which would be popular in the north and across the whole of the UK, is if he ruled out what appeared in the previous prime minister’s green paper on the future of television, and that is that terrestrial free-to-view television could be switched off in 2034, meaning that everyone would have to pay to watch television.

“And that particularly affects elderly, vulnerable, and those who live in rural areas.”