'I'm a broadcaster - get me out of here' [media technology]

This paper examines some examples which reveal cyclic patterns in the emergence of new media technology. These are digital compression technology, digital terrestrial systems, and HDTV formats. Broadcasting engineers may want to investigate more deeply how successfully we can model the processes involved in innovation and success in the media. Through it all, we need to remember two 'absolutes' - no new technology can make up for content or programmes people don't want, and there are no simple laws of physics for predicting the future.