Connection Project, BT, Future TV back 2034 terrestrial TV switch-off
June 23, 2026
By Nik Roseveare
The UK government has published a Green Paper titled Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media, which includes information on the future of TV distribution in the UK, from traditional terrestrial broadcasting (DTT) to watching TV over the internet. The government maintains it is committed to DTT until 2034,
In response to this, The Connection Project – a national alliance dedicated to closing the digital divide – has released a statement strongly supporting this switchover.
Natalie Ceeney CBE, Chair of The Connection Project, said: “The Connection Project welcomes today’s Media Green Paper and the government’s view that 2034 is the right timeline for completing a managed transition to internet-based TV services, with support to make sure no one is left behind. A 2034 date creates the urgency needed to complete the job of building high quality connectivity across the UK, find solutions for those who can’t afford even the cheapest packages, and develop effective, trusted support for households. A later date risks losing this momentum.”
“Done well, the benefits will stretch far beyond television. Connectivity and digital participation are a gateway to healthcare, banking, employment and public services. A well-managed TV transition could be the catalyst for a genuinely inclusive digital economy. The Connection Project – a partnership between broadcasters, telecoms providers, banks and leading charities – is already working on the practical solutions this transition will require. We are pleased that the Government intends to work with us to develop tangible commitments, and we look forward to engaging fully in the consultation,” added Ceeney.
Also responding to the government publication, a BT spokesperson said: “A TV transition in the next decade depends on a strong digital backbone and builds on the investments led by BT over the past decade. We agree there is a compelling case to target 2034 — and make the transition the centrepiece of a wider national drive for full digital inclusion and access to public services. We are confident that Government and business can work together on a plan that brings the whole country along with it.”
The Future TV Taskforce also welcomed the report which sets out a proposed approach to securing the long-term sustainability of public service media. Jonathan Thompson, Chair of the Future TV Taskforce and CEO of Everyone TV, said: “We welcome the government’s Media Green Paper which recognises the consumer-led shift towards internet‑delivered television. As part of a wider move towards a fully inclusive digital society in the mid-2030s, we support a carefully managed transition in which no-one is left behind.”
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