Channelling the future: can IPTV deliver for everyone?

In a historic shift in the broadcasting landscape, the UK government has proposed switching off terrestrial television services by 2035. The move, aimed at modernising content delivery through full-scale adoption of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), has triggered both enthusiasm and concern across the media industry and wider society. 

While the transition aligns with evolving viewer habits and technological progress, it presents a host of socioeconomic, infrastructural, and regulatory challenges. At the centre of this debate is the BBC, a pillar of British media, facing the dual task of embracing innovation while ensuring inclusivity — a message underscored by BBC Director-General Tim Davie in a recent keynote speech.

Why switch to IPTV?

IPTV, which delivers television content via internet protocols instead of traditional radio frequencies, offers a dynamic, flexible, and interactive experience. Streaming platforms, catch-up services, and on-demand viewing are already mainstream, especially among younger audiences. The switch-off proposal is essentially a response to these trends, and a signal that legacy infrastructure is increasingly viewed as outdated and expensive to maintain.

Yet, while IPTV is lauded for its benefits, including better content discovery, personalisation, and potential cost savings for providers, its universal implementation raises a critical question: who gets left behind?

The societal threat to inclusion

One of the most significant barriers to a successful nationwide IPTV transition is the persistent digital divide. According to estimates, nearly 4 million UK households still rely exclusively on terrestrial TV. Many of these are older adults, low-income families, or those in rural areas with subpar broadband infrastructure. For these demographics, the end of terrestrial TV won’t be an upgrade, it could be a complete loss of access.

Tim Davie addressed this issue directly recently, warning that the UK faces a crisis of disconnection if technological transitions are not handled with care. He stressed the BBC’s commitment to public service broadcasting, which must remain universal, accessible, and independent of commercial or algorithmic gatekeepers.

Infrastructure and investment: who pays?

The technical shift to IPTV at a national scale is far from a flick-of-the-switch operation. It requires considerable investment in broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Estimates suggest that the cost of fully supporting this change could reach £2 billion in upfront investment, with an additional £900 million per year required to maintain and improve access.

There is also the question of device compatibility. Millions of homes may need to upgrade TVs or purchase new set-top boxes. Will these be subsidised? Will support programmes exist for elderly or disabled users? Without clear policies, this could deepen existing inequalities.

In addition, the environmental cost of replacing functional terrestrial-compatible hardware should not be ignored, especially at a time when the UK is striving for carbon neutrality. The waste from obsolete televisions and antennas could be substantial unless mitigated through recycling schemes and a phased, responsible rollout.

The BBC’s role in the switch

Tim Davie has painted a picture of a BBC that evolves with the times, but doesn’t abandon its core values. He has spoken about the organisation’s need to adapt to a fragmented media environment, where misinformation spreads rapidly and trust in institutions is waning.

In his speech, Davie said, “The future of our cohesive, democratic society feels for the first time in my life at risk” — pointing to recent global events where disinformation has significantly influenced public perception and social cohesion.

To counter this, Davie announced an expansion of the BBC’s news services onto platforms like TikTok and YouTube. It’s a strategic move aimed at reaching younger audiences who consume content almost entirely online, to “ensure we have a stronger position amidst the noise”.

At the same time, he rejected the notion of transforming the BBC into a subscription service or shifting entirely to an advertising model, stating they “don’t pass the test of building a universal trusted public service”.  A reformed but universally accessible licence fee is the likely way forward.

This stance underscores the BBC’s vision: to be both digital-first and socially responsible. But doing this in an IPTV-dominated ecosystem is no mean feat.

Looking ahead to a future of IPTV

There are undeniable advantages to a future built on IPTV. It allows for interactive content, data-driven personalisation, and far greater flexibility than linear broadcast. For broadcasters, it opens up opportunities for audience segmentation, direct engagement, and more efficient distribution.

For the BBC, this could mean deeper integration with digital devices, enhanced educational programming, and AI-enhanced news delivery — all while retaining its editorial integrity. 

But the transition must not come at the cost of universality. The UK’s success in this endeavour will depend on how well it manages three critical tasks:

• Ensuring equitable access to broadband and devices, especially for the digitally excluded.
• Reinforcing public trust in media through transparency, accountability, and strong public service institutions.
• Maintaining national cultural identity in a global, increasingly commercialised media ecosystem.

The proposed terrestrial TV switch-off by 2035 represents a major technical upgrade, but it’s also a societal shift that could redefine how information, culture, and community are shared in the UK. While the benefits of IPTV are compelling, they must be weighed against the risks. As the UK prepares for this seismic change, the challenge ahead is clear: to build a digital future that leaves no one behind.