MPs raise concerns over impact of TV switch-off on commercial radio

Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum have raised concerns about the potential impact of an early switch-off of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) on commercial radio.

MPs discussed the issue during a parliamentary debate on the government’s Media Green Paper on Tuesday 8 September. The government is currently considering two possible timelines for a managed transition to internet-delivered TV services – 2034 and 2044.

Commercial radio shares much of the broadcast infrastructure currently used for television. If television broadcasters leave this infrastructure, radio services could be left carrying a significantly greater share of the costs of maintaining it.

Chris Kane MP, Chair of the Media APPG, raised concerns about the impact of the switch-off on commercial radio and urged the government to ensure that “commercial radio is not the unintended loser in a reform designed principally around television”.

In response, Sir John Whittingdale MP said that he strongly agreed. The former Culture Secretary highlighted estimates that commercial radio’s annual transmission costs could rise by more than 50% following an early DTT switch-off and called on the Media Minister to address the issue.

The scale of the impact on commercial radio is from new analysis by Frontier Economics. The research (commissioned by Radiocentre) highlights the sharp, structural increase in costs that radio broadcasters could face simply to maintain existing services if DTT is switched off in 2034.

Without adequate financial mitigation, these additional costs could place a significant number of commercial radio services under severe financial pressure. This could put local coverage, listener choice and media plurality at risk, with rural communities particularly exposed.

Several other MPs echoed concerns about the impact on commercial radio during the debate, including Nigel Huddleston MP, Jim Shannon MP and Caroline Voaden MP.

Responding for the government, Media Minister Ian Murray MP confirmed that no decision had yet been taken on whether DTT should be switched off in 2034 or 2044. He said the government would now analyse responses to the Green Paper consultation which closed on 31 August.

In its response to the consultation, Radiocentre called on the government to give radio a formal role in the next stage of policy development and to put in place a comprehensive cost-mitigation package for commercial radio if DTT is switched off in 2034.