Millions of football enthusiasts could lose the opportunity to enjoy upcoming World Cups if the proposal to discontinue Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) progresses, caution activists.
The availability of free-to-air terrestrial broadcast TV is secure only until the early 2030s, coinciding with the expiration of current licenses.
Recent surveys indicate that one-third of individuals express concerns about affording a higher-speed broadband package necessary to reliably stream major sporting events like the World Cup.
Following a poll of 12,000 voters in 100 closely contested Labour-held areas, 80% emphasize the importance of keeping significant sports events freely accessible, with 50% considering it highly important.
Findings reveal that 73% of respondents have previously watched the World Cup or Euros live on free-to-air TV, and 74% oppose the idea of requiring football fans to pay for broadband to view the World Cup, in contrast to only 10% who support the notion.
A significant 70% of participants believe that major sporting events should be guaranteed to be broadcast freely over the airwaves, rather than relying on an internet connection.
The proposed transition to IPTV-only services would necessitate viewers to depend on fixed broadband, raising concerns regarding affordability and accessibility, especially for older individuals, those with disabilities, and low-income households.
Activists caution that the suggested phasing out of DTT would essentially transform important national moments into pay-per-view content.
A spokesperson for Broadcast 2040+ expressed concern, stating, “Turning off DTT could result in shared national experiences becoming exclusive luxuries.”
“The World Cup should be a unifying event for the entire nation, accessible to all, and not limited to those who can afford high-speed broadband or multiple subscriptions,” the spokesperson added.
Labour MP Joe Morris, endorsing the campaign, noted, “The collective experience of watching World Cup matches on free television is irreplaceable. Moving these moments behind a paywall on the internet would be unpopular in communities like mine.”
A petition advocating for the protection of free-to-air terrestrial TV has garnered over 155,000 signatures.
In response, a Government representative affirmed, “We are committed to ensuring continued access to watching the World Cup for years to come, guaranteeing that no one is left out as TV consumption increasingly shifts online.”