The purpose of this paper is to present the main results of a comparative policy analysis about the introduction and development of digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom and Spain.
After outlining the main policy responses forged in each case study, different national DTT models are suggested, described and compared. Similarities and differences are summarized and, finally, a conclusion is offered to explain why the service unfolded uniquely in each country.
The economic and technological dynamics of the television industry as a whole affected differently the development of DTT in the case studied since they were mediated by particular socio‐political systems.
Owing to the fact that the paper presents a summary of a major research project, it does not offer in‐depth detail of the main findings.
The study belongs to the expanding area of comparative research and adopts a case study approach.
