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As audiences embrace digital media, new opportunities for public value are being created. Choice for consumers and citizens is likely to continue to expand as digital switchover completes and take-up of broadband services continues. Control through personal video recorders and access to video on the internet will become more widespread and faster, both at home and on the move. The next generation of broadband could allow high definition video content on demand. Virgin Media has already announced up to 50Mb/s services in some areas and BT will provide up to 100Mb/s access in some new housing. A new wave of television equipment may become widely adopted, integrating broadband access and storage capability to bring together access to content on the internet and broadcast television on the same living room screen.

The pace of change is likely to intensify, with significant implications for achieving public service purposes