The United Kingdom is about to enter a new and exciting phase of its broadcasting history. On 27th August 1989 a satellite was launched for the world's first high-power direct broadcasting by satellite (DBS) service which is funded entirely privately. For the success of this service the broadcaster needs to establish a large customer-base quickly and yet needs to offer the potential of receiver improvements for the future. Against this background the D-MAC/packet system has been adopted as the signal format to be used. This system offers a reception option involving a relatively inexpensive set-top convertor and yet it also provides a number of important options for enhancing the service. The paper briefly describes the D-MAC transmission system and highlights in particular how it can provide an evolution to high-definition television (HDTV) in the future.