During the 2018 Winter Hill moorland fires, intensive efforts were made to protect the transmitter because of its importance in broadcasting information to communities across Lancashire and Greater Manchester. The Winter Hill Transmitter towers over the skyline (Image: Newsquest)"Protecting terrestrial broadcasting until at least 2044 would preserve a vital, independent route for trusted public information when it is needed most." According to the report, transmitters such as Winter Hill form part of a network reaching 98.5 per cent of UK households. Unlike streaming services, terrestrial broadcasting can continue delivering information during major power or network outages. The report says that for the UK, maintaining terrestrial broadcasting until at least 2044 would be a lower risk option.