The way we broadcast television signals has evolved several times since it started out. At first terrestrial broadcasting was the only way to widely distribute television, this began in the late 1920's and had a regular public programme schedule by the 1930's. The bandwidth was rather limited, as there was only a handful of channels available and this regulation from the government on the matter was normal at the time. Terrestrial broadcasting was transmitted via radio waves and was received using antennas.There was pretty much no other method of television delivery until the 1950's with the beginning of cable television (community antenna television [CATV]). This was the first non-terrestrial method of delivering TV signals that didn't rely upon an originating signal from a traditional terrestrial source. This kind of transmission was strengthened by the many communications satellites that slowly covered the globe during the 1960's and the 1970's.
Digital broadcasting transmits audio and video through digitally processed multiplex signals as aposed to the totally analog and channel separated signals used by analog TV. Around the 1990's the interest in digital broadcasting grew and grew and finally the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) organised the means by which digital television could be included into the frequency plan.
In 2005 the European Union decided to cease the transmission of all analog audio and video TV transmissions. And by 2012 all terrestrial TV broadcasting was switched to digital audio and video in an attempt to switch everyone who received broadcasts via their TV to change to digital.
This shows the evolution of the variety of broadcasting signals and how the most efficient ones have survived and flourished.
Although now in 2013 televisions themselves are under threat. One of the main reasons recently has been 'high definition' televisions taking over. As there are more and more high definition channels on all of the major broadcast receiver companies like 'Sky', 'Virgin' and 'ntlworld' which can only be accessed on 'HD ready' TVs. This is bad news for regular televisions as they are being swept under the rug more and more now that HDTVs are coming down in price. Although this has been in anticipation for some time what with DVD companies bringing out a new HD DVD player and HD specific DVDs known as 'Blueray'. These are becoming very popular as 'film buffs' and 'gadget lovers' want to see cinema quality in their own homes, which is unfortunate for regular TVs.
Another thing that is in danger of becoming obsolete are DVDs themeslves. Ideas like 'Netflix' and 'LoveFilm' where all you need is the internet and a screen are bringing down the purchasing of films from discs. Both of these programs offer a multitude of new and old films without having to get up and change the disc in the machine and without having to wait for the internet to load whatever you want to watch which you would have to do if you were on a film streaming website. But TVs could also be in danger as the series' that they are broadcasting on their channels like 'Sherlock' or 'Doctor Who' all end up on 'Netflix' and 'LoveFilm' after a short period of time. As well as additions to certain receiver boxes like 'Sky on-demand' or various pay-per-view services because 'Netflix' is only £6 per month for a multitude of films and programmes included and watchable when you want. Not many people are going to pay £2 for just one film on an on-demand service. The only way companies like 'Sky' and 'Virgin' can keep up at this point would be to take a share from 'Netflix' or 'LoveFilm' as they are only going to get more popular for such cheap wears.
Then there is always the way to watch films which, worryingly enough, is getting increasingly more common. Illegally downloading or 'Pirating' films and TV series' is severely dropping ratings and purchases from all aspects of technology and viewing. As all you need to download and watch a film or TV episode these days is a computer, which takes so much money out of the pocket's of everyone who took part in the making and distribution of that media. Even though pirating has been around for decades, from taking prints of vinyl's to taping over TV programmes and other tapes. It's because now it is so easy to do, with barely 3 clicks you're onto 'Pirate Bay' and downloading the latest blockbuster at HD 1080p quality.
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