Officials for the nation's only Christian satellite TV service have announced plans to switch Sky Angel to broadband Internet protocol television, commonly known as IPTV. Sky Angel's transition to the technology will occur over the next year, company officials said.

Chief Executive Officer Rob Johnson said IPTV is already widely used in Europe and Asia, and is growing in popularity in the U.S. "Our subscribers will simply need to use an IPTV set-top box, (which) will allow them to connect their television to high-speed Internet,” he said. “Overall service will be more economical than our current satellite system and will provide Sky Angel viewers more options."

IPTV combines traditional television with broadband Internet services. Instead of receiving programming through cable or satellite, programming is received by the viewer through a high-speed Internet connection and small set-top box. IPTV does not require an outside dish or antenna, professionally installed equipment or a computer.