Consultation on the renewal of digital terrestrial television (DTT) multiplex licences expiring in 2022 and 2026

Digital terrestrial television (DTT) multiplex licences are central to the functioning of the UK’s broadcasting system. DTT licences give broadcasters the right to use spectrum (radio frequencies) to broadcast television services across the UK in a digital format.

The DTT platform is better known as Freeview. It is popular with UK audiences and is an important part of the public service broadcasting (PSB) system as content provided by the PSBs on this platform is free at the point of use and widely accessible due to DTT’s nearly 99% coverage across the UK.

A number of national multiplex licences on the DTT platform, which carry PSB and commercial channels, are expiring in 2022 and 2026. To renew these licences the government is required to make secondary legislation. We welcome views on which of the four options we are presenting for renewal is most appropriate for each of the licences. The options are:

• Option (a) renewal on the same terms as before until 2034
• Option (b) renewal until 2034 but with the inclusion of a new revocation clause
• Option (c) renewal for a shorter period until 2026
• Option (d) renewal for an alternative length of time