An architecture for distributing digital information to subscriber units
wherein selection from among multiple digital services is accomplished by
transmitting a tuning command from a subscriber unit to an intermediate
interface. The intermediate interface selects the desired service from a
broadband network and transmits it to the subscriber unit over a
bandwidth-constrained access line. The bandwidth-constrained access line
may be implemented with existing infrastructure, yet the subscriber unit
may access a wide variety of digital information available on the
broadband network. Universal broadband access is thus provided at low
cost. Output bandwidth of broadcast equipment may also be optimized.