Abstract: A karaoke playback apparatus and system capable of substantially improving quality of background image services by making use of a digital multi-channel broadcasting are disclosed.A karaoke playback apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a data memory 2 for storing karaoke data transmitted via a telephone network, a sound processor 4 for generating audio signal of an accompaniment sound according to the karaoke data read out from the data memory 2 to be output via a speaker 7, an image processor 8 for controlling display of lyrics contained in the karaoke data in synchronism with processing of the accompaniment sound to be displayed via a monitor 10, a receiver 12 of a digital multi-channel television broadcasting for receiving a plurality of channels on which background images for karaoke musical pieces are broadcasted, and a background controller 14 for controlling the receiver 12 of the broadcasting.