Although the magazine was primarily targeted for the UK market, it was also sold in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

[5] WV Publications was purchased by Highbury House Communications plc in 1998, which published the title until Summer 2005 when Future Publishing acquired What Satellite TV along with the majority of the Highbury House specialist consumer titles for £30.5 million.

In April 2002, What Satellite and Digital TV was the first magazine to discover secret military broadcasts of NATO spy planes over Bosnia being broadcast and received using a one-metre satellite dish[8] The United States encrypted the transmissions after the security breach was discovered.

[3] In July 2011, Future Publishing announced its intention to either sell or close the magazine alongside other publications due to a slump in profits.

[13] In October and November 2014 a greatly reduced content (32 pages) plus a free Hi-Fi Choice (sister publication) was issued and subscriptions no longer being accepted.