Abstract: In a method of processing 16:9 pictures for display on a screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, each line of the television signal is compressed and/or expanded so that the ratio of the length of a segment of unprocessed signal to the length of the resultant signal derived from it, varies along the line. Preferably, each line is subject to "cylindrical" processing such that it is compressed as though the line were extended along an arc of a circle and projected along a direction onto a flat plane joining the ends of the arc. The picture may also be subject to slight vertical stretching to give a final image which is subject to distortion at an acceptable level while retaining a good level of vertical detail.