MORE than 300,000 homes could be left without access to Freeview and Freesat after researchers found the services could be switched off sooner than expected.
Older people and those unable to afford streaming services would most likely be among the groups left behind.
Freeview, the aerial-accessed service, has a fast-dwindling audience.
But when exactly to switch the platform off is proving highly divisive.
It is the same with Freesat, which provides a similar service to Freeview but via a satellite dish.
The Government is trying to work out what to do about traditional TV broadcasting over the next decade due to rising costs.
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Tech experts are currently discussing three options, which include upgrading Freeview to use more modern technology, reducing it to just a handful of basic channels or switching it off entirely during the 2030s.
According to Government research, the latter option could leave 1.8 million people unable to access television.
This is because many viewers do not want the extra cost of a monthly broadband subscription – never mind the big bills for a pay-TV provider such as Sky or Virgin – while others prefer the easy-to-use interface of Freeview.
However, new research from Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates, commissioned by Sky, has reported that the number of people left behind could be only 330,000 – as long as the switch off in 2034 is announced next year.
The Government is expected to publish its plan for TV’s future this year.
Freeview is jointly owned by the UK’s leading public service broadcasters (PSBs) – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – through Everyone TV, which also runs the Freesat and Freely platforms.
The latter service provides similar service to Freeview and Freesat but requires broadband.
The Sun has approached Everyone TV for comment.
