There is a silent battle going on between the new age digital and analog technology for the next throne to digital broadcasting. You might compare the transition from the analog to the completely digital era with the way audio cassettes were replaced by CDs and later on by DVDs. But the development of digital multimedia broadcasting is slower since it happens on so many levels at the same time. Digital television is taking us into new spaces that are basically hybrids of the features of regular TV and characteristics of the Internet.

Satellite radio is also taking huge leaps forward, with more and more programs are being added each day. There are even discussion of moving events like the major league baseball exclusively on satellite radio, which would provide one of the first deadly strikes against terrestrial radio broadcasting.

Digital data transmission is fast and accurate. Most digital multimedia broadcasting companies that own satellites also have backup ones ready to go in orbit and replace a defective one. From the consumer’s point of view, the quality and interactivity options of digital TV or satellite radio broadcasts are important features. Although most digital multimedia broadcasting channels and technologies are still complex and sometimes expensive, the evolution of digital broadcasting seems to be something that will be with us for a long time to come.