The Freeview switch-off: what it means for aerial installers

Where the decision stands

The government sees a strong case for moving live TV to broadband by 31st December 2034, and consults on keeping aerial TV alongside broadband until 2044 instead. The consultation closed on 31st August 2026. The final decision on the date, and on help for households, is due in a white paper that hasn't been published yet.

The Green Paper covers both Freeview and Freesat: TV through an aerial or a satellite dish would move to broadband, watched through Freely or the broadcasters' apps.

How many homes it touches

• Freeview is in around 12.9 million UK homes.
• 17% of UK households relied only on aerial TV in 2023, according to the House of Commons Library.
• Freely, the broadband replacement, needs a connection of at least 10Mbps.

What it means for the work

Aerial installs and repairs carry on until the switch-off, whichever date is chosen; a working aerial is still the way most Freeview homes watch. The change is gradual, and the customers who need the most help are the ones least likely to sort it themselves.

• Freely setup: on a new TV it's part of a normal setup; on an older one it means fitting a Freely box and connecting it to broadband.
• Wall mounting and cable tidying, which grows as people replace TVs.
• Wi-Fi and Ethernet for streaming: Freely needs at least 10Mbps, and a wired point by the TV is the most reliable.
• Taking down aerials and dishes, and sealing the fixings, once homes watch only over broadband.
• Help for older customers, often booked by a son or daughter. The Green Paper says help would be industry-led, and that public funding shouldn't be assumed.

Where Tely fits

Tely's Freeview switch-off page and readiness check are read by households working out what they need. When they'd rather someone did it, they ask on Tely, and the request goes to one checked local fitter. Joining is free, requests are free, and each one goes to you only.