Labour urged to save Freeview as 100,000 oppose BBC switch-off plan: 'Threat to universal television!'

Such a move would require every household in Britain to obtain a high-speed broadband subscription to watch BBC programming. Campaign groups contend that eliminating the free-to-air service would widen existing inequalities and hit vulnerable populations hardest.

Former ITN chairman Christy Swords has characterised the BBC's plans as "a threat to its universal service", while the Great Network has recently thrown its weight behind the campaign.

Freeview currently reaches an estimated 98.5 per cent of homes across the country through traditional TV aerials.

The coalition of campaigners is urging ministers to guarantee universal access to the service and commit to maintaining terrestrial signals until at least the mid-2040s.

Among those featured in the petition is Lynette, an 80-year-old from Kent, who explained her reliance on the service.

"Free terrestrial TV is essential for me whether it's for entertainment, the news or even learning new things from magazine shows," she said.

"I don't want to be choosing apps and making new accounts. With my TV in my kitchen, and the normal channels through an aerial, I can leave a channel on that I know I like. I'm worried that the Government will decide to take that away from me and others who either don't like, can't afford or can't use online versions."

Dennis Reed, the director of Silver Voices, warned that millions of households with rooftop aerials would be alarmed to discover the Government is contemplating switching off terrestrial signals.

"This will render aerials useless and force everyone to pay for an expensive broadband contract to continue watching their favourite programmes," he said.

"Such a step would weaken the cohesion and shared culture of UK society, which has long relied on a universal free-to-air TV service."

Mr Reed added: "Silver Voices urges the Government to step back from any early move towards internet-only television, which would be both politically damaging for Labour, and disastrous for low-income and digitally excluded groups."

The Great Network, operator of channels such as Great! TV and Great! Movies, has formally aligned itself with the campaign in recent days.

Elizabeth Anderson, chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance, highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that up to 19 million people in Britain experience some form of digital exclusion.

"Freeview television provides fact-checked news, entertainment and a sense of belonging and shared experience," she said.

"This is now under threat, with broadcasters lobbying to place a burden of a monthly broadband bill on households, and no plan to help the most vulnerable."

Ms Anderson warned that scrapping broadcast signals risked deepening digital poverty through higher costs and more complicated viewing methods that many lack the skills to navigate.

A spokesperson for Broadcast 2040+ emphasised that preserving free-to-air terrestrial television into the 2040s was "essential to prevent digital exclusion, maintain national resilience and ensure everyone can continue to access trusted television services without needing a broadband connection or paid subscription."