Satellite
Initially, satellite systems broadcast using standard (PAL) signals though often scrambled to prevent people watching the channels without paying a subscription.
The major provider of satellite television in the UK, BSkyB, launched a digital service (called Sky Digital) in October 1998 based on DVB-S. This allowed many more channels and was marketed with a smaller dish. Take-up was very quick and successful, and Sky discontinued the former analogue service in June 2001 - just three years after digital satellite was launched. Although some of the channels which had been part of their package, such as CNN and CNBC Europe, have continued broadcasting unaffected by Sky's departure.
It was originally planned for the analogue switch-off to occur on 31 December 2002, but this was achieved 15 months earlier. The last three channels, Sky Premier, Sky One and Sky Sports 2, were switched off at 00:01 on September 28, 2001.
Read more about this topic: Analogue Television In The United Kingdom
Famous quotes containing the word satellite:
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)