The UK's broadcasting landscape is on the cusp of significant change as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) embark on a review of the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) spectrum. Currently allocated primarily to digital terrestrial television (DTT), this valuable resource could be repurposed for mobile services, programme making and special events (PMSE) sector, or networks for emergency services and energy smart grids – sparking an estimated £1.4 billion in additional revenue by 2040, according to a report by Analysys Mason and DotEcon.
Currently sharing the UHF spectrum with DTT, the PMSE sector stands to be severely impacted by any release of DTT spectrum for mobile services. While the prospect of £1.4 billion in additional revenue may seem attractive, it comes at a cost: TV channels would be lost and the UK's TV distribution industry could face significant disruption.
The report's findings will inform the government's wider review on the future of TV distribution in the UK, aiming to ensure that the broadcasting landscape remains competitive and resilient in the face of technological advancements and shifting viewer habits.