The UK government is considering a major support initiative to assist pensioners and other vulnerable groups ahead of a planned switch from digital terrestrial television (DTT) to online-only TV. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) proposed the initiative as part of a broader consultation on whether to end DTT broadcasts as early as 2034 or delay the transition by a decade.

The move aims to address concerns raised by advocacy groups representing the elderly, disabled, and low-income households, who fear that some viewers may be excluded from television access due to difficulties with digital technology or broadband affordability. Television remains a key source of news and information for many, and there is emphasis on ensuring no one is left behind in the transition.

The government estimates that fewer than 220,000 households will still lack broadband connections by 2034 but acknowledges the need to provide targeted assistance to those with low digital skills. The proposed support package would include "hands-on support" to help users navigate streaming services, with training programs designed to improve digital literacy. The green paper issued by DCMS highlights that support measures should be tailored, ranging from simple guidance and reassurance to direct, practical help.

Ministers plan to draw on the experience of the 2007 to 2012 analogue-to-digital TV switchover, which relied on a network of volunteers, charities, and community organisations to help around one million people transition to digital broadcasts. Media Minister Ian Murray said this previous effort serves as a blueprint for the upcoming shift, with a potential nationwide effort to assist viewers once again.

The BBC is also collaborating with industry stakeholders to develop user-friendly streaming platforms, such as Freely, which is intended as a simple online equivalent to Freeview, to facilitate the transition.

Despite these plans, no final decisions have been made regarding the specific components of the support program, a DCMS spokesperson said. The government expects that maintaining DTT will become uneconomical after the 2040s as online television becomes universally available. The consultation seeks input from industry and public stakeholders on the timing and approach to the switchover, ensuring that technological advancements do not come at the cost of accessibility for vulnerable audiences.