Why does HDTV matter?
Because it is a new service already available on cable, and which launched on May 11th 2006 in the UK on satellite. One HDTV channel called Euro 1080 has also been broadcasting by satellite to the UK and Europe for some time. 

It's also reasonably likely that after analogue television is switched off in the UK, HDTV channels will be offered over-the-air as a DTT service (i.e. alongside Freeview and Top Up TV). UK broadcasters plan to trial an HDTV service on Freeview frequencies in London in summer 2006.

It's also the case that new DVD players capable of showing HDTV-quality pictures are also due to become available shortly.

However, you will need a special television set properly to display HDTV pictures, as well as a special decoder, set-top box or DVD player. So consumers need to be aware that a new TV set they buy today may not be able to receive HDTV services and display them in the right format unless they make sure that it is of the right type.