Town crier to world seer: a broadcast odyssey

A review of the development of broadcasting is given and thoughts are presented for its evolution into the 21st century. Although the terrestrial radio and television networks are unlikely to expand greatly in future, their usage may change, particularly to satisfy new interests in the broadcasting of data or information. Emphasis is placed on the importance of satellites in the next decade, for international programme supply, for delivery of radio and television to the home, and for satellite news gathering. The direct broad casting of television by satellite to the home, starting in 1989 in the UK, also offers exciting new opportunities for carrying higher-definition, wide-screen pictures. It is suggested that in the next couple of decades a slowly changing balance between terrestrial, satellite and cable networks will be seen, with fibre optic connections to the home only starting to make an impact with new services in the next century. Most significant in the near future will be the way in which new delivery technology and new receiver develop ments will increase the choice of programmes and broadcast information services to the user.