Safeguarding Britain’s Social Resilience

23 Apr 2025 12:20 PM

For decades, terrestrial television has been a constant in British homes, providing access to news, entertainment, and shared national experiences without the need for costly subscriptions or high-speed internet. Yet as digital services expand, the future of this universally accessible medium is being called into question. Our latest report makes a clear argument: maintaining terrestrial TV is essential to social resilience, particularly for those most at risk of digital exclusion.

For millions, television is not just a convenience – it is their primary connection to trusted information and cultural events. Terrestrial TV reaches 98% of UK households, offering a straightforward, reliable way to stay informed without the financial or technical barriers of online services. The new report highlights why protecting this service is about more than preserving a legacy – it is about ensuring that no one is cut off from national life.

The Role of Terrestrial TV in Social Resilience

Britain faces a rapidly evolving social landscape, marked by economic challenges, political shifts, and increasing reliance on digital platforms. In this context, social resilience – the ability of communities to remain connected and informed – depends on media that is widely accessible and trusted.

The report identifies three key pillars of social resilience: community, reliable access to information, and trust. Terrestrial TV supports all three by offering a free, easy-to-use platform that reaches all demographics. Unlike digital services that require high-speed broadband or technical skills, terrestrial TV is a simple, inclusive solution that ensures national and local news, cultural programming, and public service information remain available to all.

The Risks of an All-Digital Future

The push toward internet-based television services raises concerns about accessibility. One in seven adults and one in five children in the UK experience some form of digital poverty, whether due to lack of devices, internet access, or digital skills. Subscription-based streaming platforms create financial and technical barriers that millions cannot overcome. During the peak of the cost-of-living crisis, nearly a million UK households had to disconnect their broadband, demonstrating the fragility of a digital-only model.

Furthermore, research findings indicate that:

• 90% of people believe terrestrial TV is essential to ensuring access to information and entertainment for those who cannot afford expensive subscriptions.
• 75% agree that free-to-air terrestrial TV helps reduce loneliness and social isolation, particularly among older and vulnerable populations.
• 73% of respondents believe terrestrial TV must be protected well beyond 2035.

Recommendations for Policymakers

To secure the UK’s social resilience and protect universal media access, the report sets out a four-point plan for policymakers:

• Ensure long-term protections for terrestrial TV services, extending commitments beyond current agreements.
• Recognise the role of terrestrial TV in social resilience, acknowledging its contribution to accessible, reliable news and shared cultural experiences.
• Require Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) to sustain universal broadcasting via terrestrial TV, ensuring its continued inclusion in the next BBC Charter period.
• Prioritise the voices of digitally excluded communities in government and Ofcom decision-making to ensure media policies uphold universal accessibility.

A Call to Action

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the DPA, emphasised the significance of this issue: “For millions of people across the UK, terrestrial TV is not just a form of entertainment – it is a vital service that ensures access to news, cultural moments, and essential information. We cannot allow the shift to digital services to exclude those who cannot afford or access them. Policymakers must act now to protect this crucial infrastructure and ensure that everyone remains connected, regardless of their circumstances.”

Terrestrial TV is more than just a broadcasting service – it is a safeguard against digital exclusion and a foundation of Britain’s social fabric. As discussions continue on the future of UK media, policymakers must recognise the consequences of phasing out this essential service. The DPA calls on the government to ensure that terrestrial TV remains available to all, preserving a critical means of connection for millions.

A resilient society is one where everyone has access to reliable information and shared cultural moments. Protecting terrestrial TV is not about resisting change – It is about ensuring that progress does not leave anyone behind.