The rise and fall of high-definition television: the impact of European technology policy

This article discusses the European attempt to revive the European consumer electronics industry by mobilizing resources in favour of High Definition Television (HDTV) technology. The policy was ultimately doomed, as digital technology and commercial broadcasters' actions undermined its viability and the public authorities, especially the European Commission, continued beyond the point at which failure was unavoidable. Nevertheless, the policy was not inherently unviable from the outset and not all the results and lessons from the programme are entirely negative. The Commission appears to be profiting from some of the lessons in its approach to digital broadcasting, and EU firms' activity in the US is benefiting from the IBA MAC research and development.