The transition from analogue to digital television has allowed broadcasters to offer significantly more channels using the same spectrum. The advent of DVB T2 and MPEG-4 has further reduced the amount of spectrum needed by digital television broadcasters.

However, governments are increasingly looking at means other than broadcasting as a way of delivering video. Already, through social media sites such as YouTube and video-on-demand services such as the BBC iPlayer or Sky Anytime, broadband is being used as a mechanism for streaming video.

The attached report by Human Capital considers the benefits of using broadband as a mechanism for video delivery for all but the most popular television channels, and how broadcasting is an inefficient way to distribute niche video content.