I think the inevitable march of digital, mobile phones and internet technologies would have eclipsed offshore, even if offshore operators were never outlawed. Whether or not offshore had a brief reign, the outcome of broadcasting would be exactly the same long term. If offshore had never happened, today's and future broadcasting would not be any different. I don't think offshore changed the long term in any way. It only enabled Bauer and Global to be licenced a few years earlier to replace the gap left by caroline.