Andy Burnham has said he is “concerned” about plans to switch off Freeview in favour of online TV in 2034 and suggested he could slow down the plans.
The Prime Minister promised to “have a proper look” at the proposals to scrap terrestrial television in favour of internet-based services, saying some of his Makerfield constituents “rely on Freeview”.
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.
A Government green paper last month outlined plans to move to online-only TV as soon as 2034.
But critics of the policy argue that Freeview is important for the elderly, disabled people and those on low incomes.
Others warn that online-only TV could leave Britain more vulnerable to cyber attacks from countries like Russia.
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 Conservative former Cabinet minister David Mundell about the proposal to switch off Freeview, 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 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 the elderly, vulnerable, and those who live in rural areas.”
The Government under Burnham’s predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, said there was a “strong case” for transitioning to streaming TV but stressed that “no decisions have been made”.
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