On the other hand, the situation seems much more complex in Antarctica

In the UK, Digital Televisions are not available in sizes less than 28", and at approximately double the price of the equivalent analog TV. They offer no additional features, since they use the same signal. Even when digital signals are available, they will offer only double the picture quality (oh wow, an EGA mode), preferring to spend their bandwidth on american-style hundreds of channels of crap, rather than improving quality in the 2-3 channels that people might watch.

Right now, only the most "have-to-have-latest" type of people are even considering DTV, and even they have to admit it's not any better than standard. If DTV is to become popular, broadcasters will need to wait until enough people have the receiving kit (i.e. until enough people decide to pay double-price for a standard household item) before they can switch-off analog signals and force the rest to sign-up or sit out.

Doesn't seem likely in the medium term. Hell, most people don't even see the advantage in DVDs, and digital television has far fewer distinguishing features.

Needless to say, when DTV is in the process of becoming popular, it won't help when the early-adopters report that their video-recorders don't work, or that they can't change channel during adverts. If so much of a hint of hollywood-style customer-screwing gets talked about, the whole project could be delayed by years. This could be an advantage... it could even be specially arranged....