Internet Protocol Television, or IPTV, is a way to send TV shows over a portion of the network that speaks in Internet Protocol (IP), the language of the public and private Internet.

There is confusion surrounding IPTV, primarily because several providers have introduced it in various ways and marketed it heavily to consumers. IPTV means digitising a show into a video stream, compressing it and sending it over the same portion of the phone network that delivers DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) services to computers. 80% of UK homes have Internet access, a regular computer can watch the various video streams or via a set-top box interpreting the incoming stream this can be displayed directly onto a Television screen without the need for a computer.

• By Q3 2006 the number of households with digital TV equipment connected to their main television set rose by almost 814,000 to reach over 18.5 million.
• Latest Ofcom estimates suggest there were also around 750,000 free-to-view digital satellite homes. Meaning that in total there are now around 7.8 million free-to-view digital households (DTT and free-to-view satellite).
• The number of BSkyB UK subscribers rose by 68,000 to over 7.8 million. When free-to-view satellite viewers are included, the total number of satellite homes was approaching 8.6 million.
• The number of net cable subscribers increased by 22,000 during the quarter and now stands at over 3.3 million. Digital cable subscribers now account for over 2.9 million, or 88%, of all cable.
• 35% of UK adults with broadband are watching TV programs online.

• Nearly 50% of online broadband customers use websites to meet new people and chat.