DTT switch-off: Impact on telcos—spectrum, adoptions and pricing

The government has narrowed the options for DTT switch-off to two dates, but copious details remain undecided, with clarity likely to take some time to emerge.

The DTT spectrum could improve rural and deep in-building coverage considerably, with the focus likely to be on the readily-usable 600MHz band which will be freed up in 2035 under either scenario, and is particularly attractive for BT/EE.

The impact on the broadband market is harder to judge given multiple uncertainties, with there being a potential boost to broadband adoption, price control a threat, and playing a more active role in TV distribution an opportunity.

Few major football rights deals have been announced since auctions for UEFA rights in its top five markets and LaLiga’s new domestic cycle were completed late last year.

Football is increasing its dominance of sports viewing in the UK driven by expanded live coverage from broadcasters, and continues to be one of the youngest-skewing sports alongside darts and F1.

As premium football rights continue to take the lion’s share of sports rights spending, Sky’s recently extended partnership with Formula One shows the value of complementary rights properties.

Tech companies are reinventing themselves in a once-in-a-generation revolution, with a sweeping reassessment of staff, and product makeovers working their way down to media partners.

Memory and other component costs will impact the 2027 upgrade cycle for consumer tech from PCs to phones—just as local processing of AI features is supposed to sell more devices.

There is a rationalisation of AI’s inevitability across all businesses, despite risks spanning privacy, legality and ‘misfiring’ agents. Media’s red lines on using AI to create content may be overtaken by platforms and creators.