This work is aiming at discussing the future possibilities the CATV systems are likely to offer, concerning iterative communications and broadband services. In what concerns the system optical section, a search is carried out in order to reach suitable arrangements and configurations concerning the basic used components, namely: laser, external modulator, EDFA and the optical fiber. Both standard and dispersion shifted fiber utilization are considered. Considering broadband utilization, a practical experiment is carried out. A two carrier WDM system is tested in the laboratory. The first carrier - 1310 nm - is digitally modulated at 2.48 Gbit/s, while the second one - 1550 nm - carries an AM-VSB modulation. Crosstalk is measured and the obtained results are compared with those from a proposed theoretical model. A satisfactory agreement validates the model. Next, the same model is then used for predicting crosstalk level in another two carrier WDM, however now, with both carriers being digitally modulated at 2.48 Gbit/s. the obtained results suggest that this last arrangement is worthwhile to be used for efficiently carrying digital video. A discussion on new solutions for video compression, modulation formats and transport techniques is follwed. The work is closed with a number of new CATV network solutions being suggested. Previously obtained results and performed suggestions are used for achieving two basiv lines of applications. The first one is based on HFC arrangements, mainly conceived for cable TV operators. The second on is based on FTTH arrangements, being this last suggestion better suited for traditional telephone companies.