Freeview To Be Phased Out Starting 2030

[pcaouolte]

Doomed because:
...

I'm one of those people. My TV doesn't have an internet connection, it's about 20 years old and it still works, I have no intention of replacing it until it fails.

I watch Freeview and I have a Panasonic box that allows me to record Freeview and watch it at a time that suits me.

I've got a Roku stick that would allow me to watch TV from the internet but I very rarely use it.

I'm happy without Sky, Amazon prime or Netflix, I see no need to change. I will have to move away from Freeview if they switch it off and then some more perfectly functional electronic equipment will go for recycling.

All that this announcement has done is to make me less likely to purchase any new TV equipment in the near future as it has created uncertainty in my mind.

 

[Rodders53]

Five multiplex SD licences were renewed to 2034 by Govt. in November 2021.

Only the BBC B (shared HD services) mux has not yet been extended (not applied for) and "might" go around 2030 (or not, it may well remain) ... Licence Fee / Charter Renewal posturing stuff in all likelihood.

So watch that space.

 

[securespark]

Doomed because:

1 it's attempting to be a Freeview replacement - however those that currently rely on TV being delivered via an aerial are the exact same ones who don't use and won't use streaming services.
If such people wanted to use streaming / on demand and so on, they can already do so using equipment and services which have been available for years.

2 because it's only available by buying a whole new TV with the service built in - no option for use with any existing TV such as buying a box/stick or installing an app on existing devices, or via website, smartphone, tablet or anything else.
This cuts off everyone who might want to use the streaming service as they can't use their existing devices.

3 currently it only provides a selection of channels via WiFi and relies on the others being obtained via the usual aerial - so no reasons for existing Freeview users to switch to it. They are expecting existing Freeview users who currently have a television and aerial to go out and buy a new TV just to continue watching the same things that they already do.

The whole thing is being shoved by those who want to switch off TV broadcasts to save a pile of cash, and to sucker people in to buying new TVs that they neither need or want.

But, all that said, will it replace Freeview Play in 2030?

 

[Rodders53]

But, all that said, will it replace Freeview Play in 2030?

Yes. In all likelihood it already has replaced it... in that the Freeview Play spec has been set in stone while the same mob have written and are developing the Freely spec, Everyone TV.

Everyone TV is Freeview and Freesat and is a collaboration between BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 (the UK public service broadcasters).

As stated earlier Freeview terrestrial broadcasts are unlikely to stop before 2034. The shared HD mux Licence has yet to be reapplied for but that's part of the BBC Charter renewal and Licence Fee negotiation process. Freesat (and $ky pay TV) satellites are approaching end of life before 2030 and will either need replacing by SES Astra or (as usual) continue working fine beyond the 'expected' life.