The Future TV Taskforce has issued a statement following publication of the government’s Media Green Paper.
In its response, the group, which comprises UK public service broadcasters (PSBs) and free TV platform, Everyone TV, broadly welcomes the proposals aimed at securing the long-term sustainability of public service media.
Highlighting the need to ensure PSBs remain at the heart of the UK’s media environment, the Taskforce supports plans to transition to internet-delivered TV (IPTV) by 2034, adding that progress will require clarity in policy direction, coordinated delivery and a “strong focus on digital inclusion”.
Recognising that IPTV can enhance the viewing experience for all audiences through innovations including streaming and accessibility features such as voice control, the country’s PSBs have already taken “significant steps” towards the transition, launching the Freely platform which combines live channels with on-demand services. Furthermore, the maintenance of duplicate parallel distribution systems risks progress, limits funding for homegrown content and creates uncertainty for both audiences and the industry, the organisation stated.
However, acknowledging concerns that vulnerable groups may be left behind, the Taskforce stated changes to delivery should form part of a broader shift towards an inclusive, fully digital society, unlocking socio-economic benefits while supporting the long-term sustainability of public service media.
Jonathan Thompson, chair of the Future TV Taskforce and CEO of Everyone TV, said, “We welcome the government’s Media Green Paper, which recognises the consumer-led shift towards internet‑delivered television. As part of a wider move towards a fully inclusive digital society in the mid-2030s, we support a carefully managed transition in which no one is left behind.”
Further information:
- 2.6m households are reliant on digital terrestrial television today, either because they don’t have access to IPTV or do not have broadband. 9.7m have Freeview on a main set with 73 per cent of these also streaming (source: Barb Q1 2026).
- By 2034, forecasts indicate there’ll be under 1 million Freeview homes and only 220,000 of these will remain unconnected (source: 3 Reasons, independent analysts in TV platform dynamics, May 2026).
- For 97 per cent of households, there would be no additional monthly cost if DTT was replaced with IPTV today. 95 per cent already pay for broadband and 56 per cent of non-internet users already pay for a landline telephone and these lines will be replaced by IP-delivered lines in the next two years (source Barb Q1 2026 and Ofcom Technology Tracker 2025).
