​​​As our society becomes increasingly digital with more and more services moving online, the public service broadcasters are focused on ensuring UK broadcasting with trusted, high-quality content, remains at the heart of the UK’s media environment.​​

To that end, the Taskforce, which is focused on the future of TV distribution, supports a carefully planned and managed transition to internet-delivered TV (IPTV) in 2034. Progress will depend on clear policy direction, coordinated delivery and a strong focus on digital inclusion.  

Any change to how TV is delivered should form part of a broader UK-wide shift towards a fully digital society in which everyone can participate. A transition to IPTV delivered in a way that leaves no-one behind, could help unlock wider economic and societal benefits while also supporting the long-term sustainability of public service media.

Well-designed, internet-delivered television can enhance the viewing experience for all audiences, combining the familiarity of live TV with the innovation of streaming, including ​​superior accessibility features such as voice control. The UK’s public service broadcasters have already taken significant steps in IPTV through the launch of Freely, combining live TV channels alongside well-established on-demand services including iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 5 and STV Player.

The TV Taskforce, comprising all six public service broadcasters, does not think it’s fair to leave a small number of older and vulnerable people on an out-dated TV service which is only going to deteriorate over time when there's an opportunity to help everyone get online. By the mid-2030s, the number of broadband-less homes is expected to fall to approximately 220,000.

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.”

Maintaining duplicative parallel distribution systems (DTT broadcast and IP) over the long-term, risks slowing progress, creating uncertainty for audiences and industry, as well as reducing the amount of money PSBs can invest in original, homegrown content - for viewers across the UK to enjoy. Government and industry should work together to deliver a well-planned and inclusive transition, with public service broadcasters committed to playing their part in future-proofing free TV in a streaming age. 

Further information: 

• The Future TV Taskforce is made up of the UK’s public service broadcasters – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5, STV and S4C – and free TV platform operator Everyone TV. 
• ​​​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% 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% of households, there would be no additional monthly cost if DTT was replaced with IPTV today. 95% already pay for broadband and 56% 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).