Two high-definition television (HDTV) communication systems created for broadband communication networks are discussed. Nationwide HDTV transmission and distribution services and HDTV subscriber distribution services are examined. A network architecture for high-quality HDTV transmission is described. The transmission bit rates of HDTV services, which are the basic factors in constructing the network frame, are considered. Two HDTV coding algorithms, subband discrete cosine transform (DCT) and subband differential pulse-code modulation (DPCM) are described, and their coding bit rates discussed. A synchronous-digital-hierarchy-based synchronous transfer mode network design suitable for the transmission of HDTV signals in broadband communication networks are described. >