Traditional television broadcasts could end with viewers urged to switch to the internet (Image: Getty Images)

       Campaigners are demanding the Government scrap plans to switch off traditional television broadcasts amid fears millions of people will be unable to watch their favourite shows.The Government is considering ending television received through an aerial after 2034, with viewers expected to use an internet service to watch shows instead.

       And there are fears traditional television will be a casualty of a bitter Cabinet feud between the Prime Minister and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, following reports she will be axed from Sir Keir Starmer’s top team in a forthcoming reshuffle - with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) set to be abolished.

       Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

       Nevada: Govt Will Cover The Cost Of Solar For Eligible Homeowners In These Zip CodesEnergy Bill Cruncher | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Russians seize on Kemi Badenoch comments Ukraine is fighting 'proxy war' for West and UK

       24 Comments

       Labour civil war as Rachel Reeves' allies accuse Angela Rayner of getting maths wrong

       88 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' net zero plan risks ￡7trn 'zombie debt' explosion, expert warns

       104 Comments

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       40 Comments

       Keir Starmer issued chilling warning over Angela Rayner's tax plans

       60 Comments

       Inside Emmannuel Macron and Brigitte's 20-plus year relationship after shocking plane row

       41 Comments

       Donald Trump shares huge update on EU tariffs after Ursula von der Leyen call

       161 Comments

       Pollster John Curtice issues devastating warning for Keir Starmer on U-turn

       302 Comments

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1180 Comments

       Keir Starmer to beg nine countries to take migrants as Labour's immigration chaos continue

       333 Comments

       Nigel Farage to issue huge challenge to Keir Starmer in major speech

       435 Comments

       Lucy Connolly case 'being monitored' by White House as free speech row with UK simmers

       333 Comments

       Ministers 'ignored warnings' over unfair Post Office Horizon compensation scheme

       21 Comments

       Keir Starmer's Brexit betrayal risks farmers face losing harvest under reset

       360 Comments

       Dolly Parton, 79, Takes off Makeup, Leaves Us With No WordsWooryFood | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Fury over plan to turn off terrestrial TV channels in internet takeover

       291 Comments

       Gary Lineker has already been replaced as Match of the Day icon quits BBC

       2 Comments

       $99 Hearing Aids Better Than $2500 Ones?Senior Vitality Magazine | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       BBC Question Time faces meltdown seconds into show with Fiona Bruce silenced

       11 Comments

       BBC to expand controversial fact-checking unit despite political bias claims

       8 Comments

       “I Went From Overwhelmed to Fully Booked With Guesty”Guesty | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       BBC boss willing to seek 'alternatives to licence fee' in major update

       7 Comments

       Nigel Farage plans visit ahead of by-election as Reform hopes to crush SNP and Labour

       228 Comments

       10 Funny Pun Signs That Will Make You LaughHouseCultures | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Russians seize on Kemi Badenoch comments Ukraine is fighting 'proxy war' for West and UK

       24 Comments

       Labour civil war as Rachel Reeves' allies accuse Angela Rayner of getting maths wrong

       88 Comments

       Amazon Is Losing Money as Nevada Shoppers Are Canceling Prime for This Clever HackOnline Shopping Tools | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves' net zero plan risks ￡7trn 'zombie debt' explosion, expert warns

       104 Comments

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       40 Comments

       Dexcom G7 is proven to lower A1C and increase time in range3？？.Dexcom | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer issued chilling warning over Angela Rayner's tax plans

       60 Comments

       Inside Emmannuel Macron and Brigitte's 20-plus year relationship after shocking plane row

       41 Comments

       Pics Of A-Listers From Before They Were FamousHomeTalk | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       Donald Trump shares huge update on EU tariffs after Ursula von der Leyen call

       161 Comments

       Pollster John Curtice issues devastating warning for Keir Starmer on U-turn

       302 Comments

       Save up to 40% on hotels.Trivago | Sponsored Sponsored

       Get Offer

       Undo

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1180 Comments

       Keir Starmer to beg nine countries to take migrants as Labour's immigration chaos continue

       333 Comments

       MD: Building Muscle After 60 Comes Down To This 1 ThingApex Labs | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage to issue huge challenge to Keir Starmer in major speech

       435 Comments

       Lucy Connolly case 'being monitored' by White House as free speech row with UK simmers

       333 Comments

       A Treasured Work of Art Stuck in 24-Karat GoldU.S. Mint | Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Ministers 'ignored warnings' over unfair Post Office Horizon compensation scheme

       21 Comments

       Keir Starmer's Brexit betrayal risks farmers face losing harvest under reset

       360 Comments

       Fury over plan to turn off terrestrial TV channels in internet takeover

       291 Comments

       Gary Lineker has already been replaced as Match of the Day icon quits BBC

       2 Comments

       BBC Question Time faces meltdown seconds into show with Fiona Bruce silenced

       11 Comments

       BBC to expand controversial fact-checking unit despite political bias claims

       8 Comments

       BBC boss willing to seek 'alternatives to licence fee' in major update

       7 Comments

       Nigel Farage plans visit ahead of by-election as Reform hopes to crush SNP and Labour

       228 Comments

       Russians seize on Kemi Badenoch comments Ukraine is fighting 'proxy war' for West and UK

       24 Comments

       Labour civil war as Rachel Reeves' allies accuse Angela Rayner of getting maths wrong

       88 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' net zero plan risks ￡7trn 'zombie debt' explosion, expert warns

       104 Comments

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       40 Comments

       Keir Starmer issued chilling warning over Angela Rayner's tax plans

       60 Comments

       Inside Emmannuel Macron and Brigitte's 20-plus year relationship after shocking plane row

       41 Comments

       Donald Trump shares huge update on EU tariffs after Ursula von der Leyen call

       161 Comments

       It would mean the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology takes responsibility for TV services, which campaigners say will encourage a switch to the internet. They warn people in rural areas without fast broadband services, and elderly people who do not use the internet, will be left without any service.

       Dennis Reed, Director of campaigners Silver Voices, said: “We would be extremely worried if DCMS goes, because the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is going to be far more gung-ho about saying everything should be done over the internet.

       Powered By

       00:00/04:30

       10 Sec

       330K

       15

       World Cup Diary: England fall short, but can be proud of tournament efforts

       Next

       Stay

       READ MORE: Reform celebrate another by-election win over Labour - 78% of vote

       “There are millions of people who either can’t afford broadband or don’t want it, and they are going to be left without TV entirely.”

       Sponsored

       Insider | Travel Deals | Sponsored Sponsored

       Seniors Can Now Fly Business Class For the Price Of Economy

       Undo

       Current legislation means terrestrial TV is safe until 2034 but the Government is holding a consultation about whether to end it after that and switch entirely to what is known as Internet Protocol (IP) television. The BBC is encouraging Ministers to press ahead with the change and Director General Tim Davie said earlier this month: “We think now is the time to confirm an IP switchover in the 2030s, setting out the conditions and providing certainty to ensure success.”

       Some sources have claimed Ms Nandy faces the sack because she does not work hard enough. However Labour insiders say Sir Keir has a vendetta against Ms Nandy after she accused him of failing to fight anti-semitism within Labour when Jeremy Corbyn was leader. The Shadow Culture Secretary before last year’s general election was Thangam Debbonaire, an ex-Labour MP who was defeated by the Green candidate, forcing Sir Keir to find a replacement for the Cabinet job.

       Elizabeth Anderson chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance said: “We have done important work in recent months with the DCMS to help them understand the reliance that those in digital poverty have on terrestrial TV - and that they will continue to do so for many years to come. These low income families must not be forgotten in Whitehall when the next reshuffle happens. The focus must remain on TV as a public service, rather than focusing on profit before people.”

       MP Richard Holden said: “Not content with slashing their winter fuel allowance, Sir Keir Starmer and his out-of-touch government now want to scrap traditional TV for millions of older people.”

       Fewer than half of households in some rural areas have access to high speed internet services, said Plaid Cymru DCMS spokesperson, Ann Davies. She said: “As discussions about the future of government departments continue, it’s vital that the importance of broadcast television is not forgotten.

       “In my constituency of Caerfyrddin, only 41.9% of households have access to gigabit broadband, well below the UK average, and 2.6% have very limited connectivity.”

       Don't miss...

       Pensioners could be forced to wait 12 months for Starmer's winter fuel u-turn

       Furious unions turn on Labour in pay row and threaten huge strikes

       DWP pension update as 180,000 women owed thousands of pounds

       Trending

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network said: “As the government considers potential departmental changes, it is essential that the future of terrestrial TV is not side lined, particularly for people living in market towns, villages and remote communities.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Russians seize on Kemi Badenoch comments Ukraine is fighting 'proxy war' for West and UK

       24 Comments

       Labour civil war as Rachel Reeves' allies accuse Angela Rayner of getting maths wrong

       87 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' net zero plan risks ￡7trn 'zombie debt' explosion, expert warns

       104 Comments

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       40 Comments

       Keir Starmer issued chilling warning over Angela Rayner's tax plans

       60 Comments

       Inside Emmannuel Macron and Brigitte's 20-plus year relationship after shocking plane row

       41 Comments

       Donald Trump shares huge update on EU tariffs after Ursula von der Leyen call

       161 Comments

       Pollster John Curtice issues devastating warning for Keir Starmer on U-turn

       302 Comments

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1179 Comments

       Keir Starmer to beg nine countries to take migrants as Labour's immigration chaos continue

       333 Comments

       Nigel Farage to issue huge challenge to Keir Starmer in major speech

       436 Comments

       Lucy Connolly case 'being monitored' by White House as free speech row with UK simmers

       333 Comments

       Ministers 'ignored warnings' over unfair Post Office Horizon compensation scheme

       21 Comments

       Keir Starmer's Brexit betrayal risks farmers face losing harvest under reset

       360 Comments

       Japanese Grip Device Could Delay Assisted Living for MillionsUS Medicine Today | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Fury over plan to turn off terrestrial TV channels in internet takeover

       291 Comments

       Gary Lineker has already been replaced as Match of the Day icon quits BBC

       2 Comments

       What Is Taltz Used for? - GoodRxGoodRx | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       BBC Question Time faces meltdown seconds into show with Fiona Bruce silenced

       11 Comments

       BBC to expand controversial fact-checking unit despite political bias claims

       8 Comments

       Skyrizi vs. Taltz for Plaque Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Important Differences and Potential Risks.GoodRx | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       BBC boss willing to seek 'alternatives to licence fee' in major update

       7 Comments

       Nigel Farage plans visit ahead of by-election as Reform hopes to crush SNP and Labour

       228 Comments

       Tiny Device Reveals Why Japanese Rarely Need Assisted LivingUS Medicine Today | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Russians seize on Kemi Badenoch comments Ukraine is fighting 'proxy war' for West and UK

       24 Comments

       Labour civil war as Rachel Reeves' allies accuse Angela Rayner of getting maths wrong

       87 Comments

       Social Security Recipients Under $2,384/Mo Now Entitled To 12 "Kickbacks" This Month (Tap for List)SuperSavings | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves' net zero plan risks ￡7trn 'zombie debt' explosion, expert warns

       104 Comments

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       40 Comments

       Unrivaled comfort for mountaineers.Caipcmall | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Keir Starmer issued chilling warning over Angela Rayner's tax plans

       60 Comments

       Inside Emmannuel Macron and Brigitte's 20-plus year relationship after shocking plane row

       41 Comments

       Flight Attendant Reveals How To Fly Business Class For the Price Of EconomyOnline Shopping Tools | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Donald Trump shares huge update on EU tariffs after Ursula von der Leyen call

       161 Comments

       Pollster John Curtice issues devastating warning for Keir Starmer on U-turn

       302 Comments

       Chelsea Clinton, 44, Drives Probably the Most Expensive Car in the World.Boite A Scoop | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1179 Comments

       Keir Starmer to beg nine countries to take migrants as Labour's immigration chaos continue

       333 Comments

       Serious Dating for SeniorsSecretmeet | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       Nigel Farage to issue huge challenge to Keir Starmer in major speech

       436 Comments

       Lucy Connolly case 'being monitored' by White House as free speech row with UK simmers

       333 Comments

       The Smartest Way to Manage Short-Term RentalsGuesty | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Ministers 'ignored warnings' over unfair Post Office Horizon compensation scheme

       21 Comments

       Keir Starmer's Brexit betrayal risks farmers face losing harvest under reset

       360 Comments

       Fury over plan to turn off terrestrial TV channels in internet takeover

       291 Comments

       Gary Lineker has already been replaced as Match of the Day icon quits BBC

       2 Comments

       BBC Question Time faces meltdown seconds into show with Fiona Bruce silenced

       11 Comments

       BBC to expand controversial fact-checking unit despite political bias claims

       8 Comments

       BBC boss willing to seek 'alternatives to licence fee' in major update

       7 Comments

       Nigel Farage plans visit ahead of by-election as Reform hopes to crush SNP and Labour

       228 Comments

       Russians seize on Kemi Badenoch comments Ukraine is fighting 'proxy war' for West and UK

       24 Comments

       Labour civil war as Rachel Reeves' allies accuse Angela Rayner of getting maths wrong

       87 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' net zero plan risks ￡7trn 'zombie debt' explosion, expert warns

       104 Comments

       Labour must now U-turn on farmer inheritance tax raid after winter fuel reverse

       40 Comments

       Keir Starmer issued chilling warning over Angela Rayner's tax plans

       60 Comments

       Inside Emmannuel Macron and Brigitte's 20-plus year relationship after shocking plane row

       41 Comments

       Donald Trump shares huge update on EU tariffs after Ursula von der Leyen call

       161 Comments

       Stay Cool with These Chic Summer Outfits From AmazonCountry Living

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Unlock The Secrets Of Password Management Password Management | search ads

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Customer Data Platforms Secure & SimplifiedSearchPad

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Rules You Didn't Know 'Survivor' Contestants Have to FollowCosmopolitan

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       “In areas where fast broadband and reliable mobile coverage can’t be taken for granted, terrestrial TV is not a luxury - it’s a lifeline. The needs of those living in small towns, villages, outlying areas, and rural communities must be recognised.”

       A DCMS spokesperson said: “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 with the TV industry and other key players in the sector on a long-term sustainable approach to TV distribution in the UK for years to come. No decision has yet been made, but we will need to consider whether to extend the current commitment to keep Freeview on air past 2034.”