The DVB-S2 ad-hoc group of the TM was tasked with developing a successor to the DVB-S standard (EN 300 421) and DVB-DSNG standard (EN 301210), that could be introduced for new services and allow for a long-term migration.

The primary objective of the new specification was to enable delivery of a significantly higher data rate (e.g. 30%) in a given transponder bandwidth than the current DVB-S standard.

Three satellite application areas were considered:

• Video and audio broadcasting (including a backwards-compatible mode, allowing old DVB-S receivers to decode at least part of the transmitted bouquet).
  
• Interactive services (direct path), such as internet access, for the consumer market.
  
• Professional links (SNG, contribution, internet trunking).
  

DVB-S2 was published as EN 302 307 by ETSI in March 2005.