HD Lite refers to the TV-program received by the viewer, which has been somehow compromised (reduced) in fidelity. In internet vernacular, HD-Lite generally refers to programming delivered by commercial (subscription-based) providers such as DirecTV, Dish Network, and the major cable-TV operators. This is likely due to the customer's (heightened) expectation of a base quality level of service — that a commercial operator should provide service levels (in terms of transmission without freezing, for example) equal to or better than public over-the-air (free) ATSC-broadcast programming. In other words, picture quality is lessened, so that delivery of the picture becomes more reliable.