Variable data rate broadcast method for channels requiring equalization

A system and method for including multiple data rate sub-blocks within a single data block includes dividing data blocks based on a priority or intended set of recipients. The sub-blocks are modulated at increasing data rates and the modulated sub-blocks are appended together and bounded by the known symbol blocks during transmission. The sub-blocks are organized in order of increasing data rate. During decoding, detected symbols of a first, low data rate sub-block are included in the detection process of higher data rate sub-blocks in place of additional symbols that would otherwise be needed for higher data rate transmissions. Alternatively, the sub-blocks may be organized with low data rate sub-block at the periphery and higher data rate sub-blocks in the interior such that the data block may be decoded from both ends.