Older audiences at risk as traditional TV hits ‘tipping point’

elderly person watching TV

Terrestrial TV is reaching a “tipping point” that risks leaving older audiences with less choice and reduced quality, Ofcom has warned.

In a report published on Thursday, the media watchdog warned that a sharp decline in traditional TV viewing had prompted broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 to place an ever-growing focus on their streaming services.

The shift risks leaving many viewers – particularly older ones who rely on terrestrial – left behind if the move to streaming is “unmanaged”.

Ofcom urged ministers to draw up plans to safeguard the future of public service TV.

Broadcasters are shifting their focus as collapsing terrestrial viewing numbers make this form of transmission increasingly economically challenging, with advertisers less keen to book time.

The average number of minutes of broadcast TV watched per day has fallen by 25pc since 2018, according to figures from Ofcom, as viewers flock to streaming rivals such as Netflix and Disney.

Many younger viewers have abandoned terrestrial TV altogether, with an estimated 5.3 million households only accessing TV via the internet.

This decline has driven up the cost of traditional broadcasting and some channels have warned terrestrial TV will soon no longer be economically viable.

The BBC has said it could switch off terrestrial services by 2030, while Channel 4 has also outlined plans to become a digital-first broadcaster by the end of the decade.

In March, Rupert Murdoch’s TalkTV announced plans to shut down its terrestrial channel and go online-only, while Sky is cutting 1,000 jobs this year amid waning demand for its satellite products.

Ofcom warned that audiences could be left with reduced quality and choice if broadcasters continue to cut back terrestrial services unchecked.

There are around 3.9 million households who still rely solely on Freeview or Freesat to watch TV, many of whom are older, less affluent or have a disability.

The regulator said the Government and industry must choose either to invest in terrestrial TV infrastructure to keep it viable over the 2030s or reduce the service to a handful or core channels to bring down costs.

This core service, dubbed a “nightlight”, would also ensure an emergency system remains in place in the event of power outages that take down the internet.

Alternatively, terrestrial could be switched off entirely over the next decade, though Ofcom said this would require careful planning and a campaign to ensure no one was left behind.

Ofcom said the biggest barrier to a full terrestrial switch-off was a lacklustre take-up of full-fibre broadband services. Some households lack the skills, means or interest to adopt the new technology.

The regulator also urged TV companies to ensure the navigation screens of their streaming services were accessible to older audiences who had limited digital literacy skills.

In its report, which was delivered to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Ofcom said it was for the Government to decide the best approach, but urged ministers to act quickly.

The watchdog said: “It is clear to us that this question of setting out a long-term vision is a pressing one that needs to be addressed in the next one to two years to allow time for sufficient preparation to ensure audiences do not lose out.”

A spokesman for Broadcast 2040+, a campaign group calling for longer commitments to terrestrial TV, said: “When the banks were taking cash machines away from our high streets, the Government stepped in to protect access to cash. Now they need to do the same and protect traditional terrestrial TV, received for free via an aerial, for the long term.”

It came as Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) reported a drop in revenues as audiences continue to shun traditional TV.

The US media giant said advertising revenues in its networks division, which includes CNN and the Discovery channel, dropped 11pc in the first quarter, which it blamed on shrinking viewer numbers and a weak ad market.

Overall, WBD’s revenue fell 7pc to just under $10bn (£8bn) in the first three months of the year.

Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles – and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.