2. Who are the players?

There are three groups involved in digital television. These are

You, the viewer

As the end customer, you are the ultimate consumer of digital content.

This content comes in the form of entertainment, news, documentaries and so on.

You pay for this service through the licence fee and a subscription service, should you so wish.

The broadcaster

These companies distribute digital content to the viewer, to be viewed on television or perhaps a computer.

Distribution technologies include the traditional TV radio transmitters (e.g. Freeview) or it may be by satellite (e.g. Sky) or by cable to your home (e.g. Virgin).

Television companies

These companies own the channels that the distributors carry e.g. BBC 1. They make their own programmes and also commision production companies to make specific programmes for them.

Some companies are both broadcasters and have their own tv channels e.g. Sky.