<p>A display device (100) comprises: a display unit (20), further comprising a spatial optical modulator element (1) which switches a plurality of types of viewing angle characteristics; a first backlight unit (4) and a second backlight unit (5) which are capable of lighting with a plurality of types of light modes and illuminate the display unit (20) from the rear surface thereof; and a light source switch drive circuit (8) which, when the viewing angle characteristics are switched by the spatial optical modulator element (1), switches the light modes of the first backlight unit (4) and the second backlight unit (5) to light modes which are suited to the switched viewing angle characteristics.</p>
