Fifteen years after the new 6 MHz channel is provided the old channel must be returned. These are highlights of present provisions which may change with the new FCC or through the legislative process. It is expected that most broadcasters will make their decisions well within the three year option period. TPWG was reminded that the broadcasters are in a world wide competition. This includes making and distributing programs where the US has an 80 percent share of the world market.
Japan is currently on the air with analog HDTV and moving rapidly to digital.
By YE94 the Europeans will start digital satellite transmissions for wide screens using 65 lines. Their full HDTV is scheduled for the 2004-6 period. International competition is challenging US leadership in programming. The cable industry has similar interests. ATM and MPEG-2 are not totally incompatible, as a gateway could be developed to interconnect them.