Government Signals Long-Term Shift Towards IPTV in New Media Green Paper
Government publishes Media Green Paper and launches consultation on the future of television distribution.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has this morning published its Media Green Paper, Watch this space: a new strategic direction for UK media, setting out the Government’s proposed approach to the future of television, public service media and trusted news.
The Government is planning for a post-DTT future
The Green Paper states that while DTT remains important for more than four million homes, usage continues to decline and the cost of maintaining the network is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain economically. As a result, Government is now consulting on the future of television distribution beyond the current DTT licence period.
The Government has committed to maintaining DTT until at least 31 December 2034. Beyond that point it is consulting on two options:
- Managed withdrawal of DTT from 31 December 2034.
- A time-limited extension of DTT until 31 December 2044.
This is the first time Government has publicly set out a pathway towards the eventual withdrawal of DTT.
Option 1 (under consideration for consultation) - Managed transition to IPTV by 2034:
Under this scenario, the government would implement an industry-led transition to IPTV services. There would be no extension of the DTT platform beyond 2034, so this transitional support would be put in place ahead of that date, and all of the radio spectrum currently used by DTT could be released in 2035. The focus would be on ensuring that everyone can continue to access and enjoy television, including live channels, on-demand programmes and PSM content, as viewing increasingly moves online. This would include practical assistance, clear information and targeted support for households who may find the change more challenging. We recognise that some audiences, including older viewers, those living in rural areas, disabled people and those on lower incomes are less likely to have reliable internet access or the digital skills needed to watch TV online. Without appropriate support, these groups could face barriers to accessing the television services they rely on and we would therefore direct support measures at them especially. The intention is to ensure that the shift to IPTV strengthens, rather than diminishes, access to affordable, high-quality television for all audiences. This would focus all stakeholders on addressing the challenges we have identified to maintain universal access to television ensuring affordable, reliable broadband, usability, and digital skills. The government anticipates that satellite and cable television would continue on a purely commercial basis.
Option 2 (under consideration for consultation) - Managed transition to IPTV by 2044
As with option 1, the government would implement an industry-led transition to IPTV services by 2044. However, this option provides a 10-year extension to the life of the DTT platform, alongside targeted investment intended to reduce the operating costs passed onto broadcasters. Instead of the six multiplexes in operation today, the platform would operate with three multiplexes during this period. This approach would maintain DTT as a service without reducing its overall reach. At the same time, reducing the number of multiplexes from six to three would enable the targeted release of valuable radio spectrum for alternative uses. Public service media providers would continue to have DTT broadcast obligations during the transitional period, but according to pricing figures provided by Arqiva the cost of DTT carriage would be considerably reduced in comparison to current annual charges. These lower carriage costs could also encourage commercial channels to remain on the platform. Satellite and cable television services are expected to continue operating on a fully commercial basis, as they do now. As audiences increasingly migrate to IPTV, the economic case for broadcasting on DTT is likely to become more challenging. Linear television advertising has traditionally depended on large, simultaneous audiences to secure premium advertising revenues. As viewing audiences shrink and fragment, commercial broadcasters may need to take commercial decisions about the long-term viability of remaining on the DTT platform.
Both options are subject to public consultation, but also to there being the conditions that would allow the move to an IPTV only future to take place. The Government have identified these challenges.
Challenge 1: Delivering for all audiences
Challenge 2: Maintaining a reliable television service
Challenge 3: Promoting competition and innovation in the television industry
Challenge 4: Supporting a sustainable future for PSM providers
You can find the all the details and the Green Paper in full, as well as access the public consultation by following the link below.
The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 31 August 2026 – we would urge all members with a view to take part.