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Written question asked by Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 28 April 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 April 2025. It was answered by Stephanie Peacock (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Freeview Service

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an estimate of the financial support required for people to continue watching television when terrestrial television licenses expire in 2034.

Answer

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. This will include assessing the advantages of hybrid television distribution models, as well as other options such as IPTV transition. As part of this process, a wide range of views are being sought on all of the options.

Before any decision is made in relation to the availability of services beyond 2034, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on digital terrestrial television as their primary means of watching television. DCMS recently commissioned research to understand the barriers preventing DTT only users from adopting IPTV, the motivations and enablers that led others to make the switch, and how these factors vary across demographic groups. This will help the Department assess any potential impacts and support that may be needed, should there be a future transition to IPTV.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
48383
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Licensing Freeview service
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk