The Future of Broadband TV

In the past, television was essentially available across three broad options - basic 'terrestrial' TV, via an aerial; satellite, requiring subscription; and cable. The analogue 'switch off' will occur over the next few years in the UK, which will mean that terrestrial services will no longer be available via an ordinary TV. For most televisions not bought in the last few years, additional equipment will be required (e.g. a Freeview set top box).

This has meant that many people are now looking towards other modes of reception, which has given rise to new and flexible methods of transmission. A new medium for supplying TV services that is expected to become a mainstream product for home subscribers is TV that is delivered over a broadband internet connection.

The benefit of this type of transmission is that it doesn't require an expensive satellite receiver, or a cable line to be installed - instead, it can be received through any broadband line (e.g. BT ADSL, but also Virgin Broadband). This is very similar to the way that VoIP ('Voice over Internet Protocol') services are beginning to claim popularity from traditional land lines - the transmission is made via an existing internet connection, and therefore less new equipment and/or infrastructure is needed.

Broadband TV or IPTV?

There should be a distinction made between the above type of service (also called IPTV), which is designed to connect through a television set, and act as a replacement for terrestrial TV (or an alternative to satellite or cable), and 'broadband TV' accessed via a personal computer.

Broadband TV has been pioneered by the major television network providers, such as BBC (BBC iPlayer), Channel 4 (4od) and ITV (itv.com), which allows users to 'catch up' with programmes online, usually after the broadcast date (although sometimes, programmes may be streamed live).


Broadband TV is generally used to supplement ordinary television, as it requires the user to search for a specific programme rather than broadcasting a set schedule. Although it does not require any further equipment for those already owning a computer, the fact that it is not delivered via a television makes it generally unsuitable for primary television entertainment.

IPTV is currently offered by Tiscali, although it is not yet available across the whole of the UK. However, a hybrid service, combining elements of the first 'streaming via television' method, and the second 'catch up' type service is available, provided by BT under the brand 'BT Vision'.

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This service provides essentially the same channels as a 'Freeview' set top box directly through the TV (received by an aerial), but is integrated with a broadband internet connection to allow the user to access on demand TV such as sports events, music, movies and also television programmes via a connection to services like 4od, ITV Catch Up etc.

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It is likely in the coming years that an even wider range of providers will begin to offer broadband TV services, as the digital switch off begins, and as broadband becomes more wide spread and speeds become faster (e.g. Virgin Media rolled out the UK's first 50Mb residential broadband service in 2008).

As this happens, broadband TV will offer users more choice of entertainment, with potentially less equipment and time required.