Outrage as ‘millions set to lose free TV’ – ‘cruel and thoughtless’ (Image: Getty)
Outraged pensioners have been left devastated by the Government’s « cruel » review to scrap Freeview TV, which critics warned could plunge the most vulnerable into isolation and force millions to pay for expensive broadband contracts.
Ministers are expected to decide « as soon as possible » whether to switch off the terrestrial signals that power Freeview, the main TV platform in around 10 million homes, and move entirely to internet-based television. A petition opposing the changes has gathered 95,000 signatures, and charities said it would be « completely unacceptable » to shift before addressing major affordability factors that prevent older people from getting online.
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The petition is awaiting a response from Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for DCMS (Image: Getty)
In the trending petition, which is awaiting a response from DCMS Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy, an 81-year-old branded the move « cruel and thoughtless ».
Patricia, from Oxshott, wrote: « I am 81 with disabilities and struggle to understand the fast-paced, ever-changing world of technology. I receive pension credit and struggle to pay my energy bills and eat good food. Losing Freeview would be cruel and thoughtless for many people like me. »
Aside from affordability, pensioners also feared being frozen out due to the complexity of the new software.
Lynette, 80, who lives in Kent and deems Freeview « essential », said streaming services were « time-consuming and irritating » with a sequence of clicks resembling « hieroglyphics instead of words ».
« If I make a mistake, I have to start again. I have more important things to remember than clogging up my memory with unnecessary information, » she added.
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Caroline Abrahams, Age UK charity director, told the Express it would be « completely unaffordable for an older person on a tight fixed income and few savings set aside ».
« Therefore, while it’s possible to envisage a future in which we do have internet-only TV, it can only be a practical possibility once we’ve tackled this affordability challenge, » she added.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it will ensure that « no one is left behind » and that it will decide « as soon as possible » whether to extend the current commitment to digital terrestrial television beyond 2034.
According to Age UK, people would need to be given free tools to get online if Freeview were disconnected, including broadband and a smart TV, but there was « no proposal we’re aware of to make this happen ».
Ms Abrahams said: « Shifting to internet-only TV before these things are in place would be grossly unfair on digitally excluded older people and completely unacceptable in Age UK’s view. »
Pensioners say streaming services are too complex (Image: Getty)
A review was launched in 2023 to evaluate the future of TV distribution, in light of streaming platforms’ rising popularity.
In a DCMS report published in December, Ofcom highlighted that delivering content via Freeview came at a “significant cost” to public service broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, and previously encouraged the Government to make a decision on its future by 2026. The review is ongoing.
A DCMS spokesperson told The Express: “We are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind as TV viewing increasingly moves to online platforms.
« That is why the Government is currently working across the TV sector on a long-term sustainable approach to TV distribution in the UK.
« This will include a decision, as soon as possible, on whether to extend the current commitment to digital terrestrial television beyond 2034. »
