Philips BSB STU902 satellite television receiver

PART OF:
36 items of satellite television receiption equipment, c 1990
Made:
circa 1990
maker:
Philips Electronics
BSB receiver or 'set-top box'
    A Philips STU902 BSB receiver or

BSB receiver or 'set-top box' A Philips STU902 BSB receiver or
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Philips BSB STU902 satellite television receiver, c 1988.

A Philips STU902 BSB receiver or 'set-top box', from about 1988.

In 1986 it was announced that British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) had been awarded the franchise to operate direct broadcasting by satellite (DBS) by the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Four services were proposed: an entertainment channel called ‘Galaxy’, ‘Zig Zag’ for children, topical programmes on ‘Now’ and a movie channel called ‘Screen’.

Delayed by technical problems with its high-tech receiver coupled with the distinctive ‘Squarial’, it would be 1990 before the satellite channels became available. The delay meant that the rival SKY satellite service had cornered the market and within six months BSB was in severe financial trouble. By the end of the year, BSB and Sky Television merged to become British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB).

Details

Category:
Television
Object Number:
2008-5005/25
Measurements:
overall: 80 mm x 420 mm x 260 mm,
type:
satellite receiver
credit:
The National Media Museum, Bradford