Digital disaster

The long-term fallout on the broadcast industry in the UK could be devastating. If another broadcaster doesn't step into the void to fill the gap, then Britain's move towards a totally digital broadcast environment will falter, and may grind to a halt.

Was it hubris? Was this a case of fools rushing in where angels fear to tread? Had terrestrial broadcasters underestimated the power of Rupert Murdoch? Did they overestimate what audiences wanted to watch. The answer to all the questions is... probably.

The result is clear, however. The UK Government's plans to upgrade British TV into the digital era have taken a potentially fatal knock. The businessmen who run Independent Television will be reluctant to invest in digital. Viewing choice has been severely hit. Two of the country's leading programme makers find themselves in financial difficulties. And once again, it's been proved that however big the name, no-one is immune to failure.

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