ABSTRACT
The proportion of free access programs among analog TV transmissions by cable or satellite is decreasing continuously, at the same time as their number increases; hence, it is almost certain that the vast majority of digital TV programs will be pay-TV services, in order to recover as quickly as possible the high investments required to launch these services. Billing forms will be much more diversified (conventional subscription, pay per view, near video on demand) than what we know today, made easier by the high available bit-rate of the system and a “return channel” (to the broadcaster or a bank) provided by a modem.
