Netherlands first to stop "free to air" analog TV

The Netherlands has become the first country in the world to stop all broadcasts of "free to air" analog television, reports the Associated Press. The event is a result of a deal with Royal KPN NV, who will get to use the bandwidth to broadcast digital TV, but must continue to offer several state and regional channels for free. KPN has also borne the cost of building digital broadcast masts around the Netherlands to replace the old services. Government-backed channels were available nationally as of Monday, while KPN's paid packages will achieve that status in early 2007.

The changeover may benefit the Netherlands financially as well as technologically. A government spokesman notes that 94 percent of the population is served by cable, and furthermore, only about 74,000 households were using analog antenna reception. The Dutch government should save approximately $14 million per year -- Dutch consumers, however, may be asked to pay $66.50 for a digital tuner if they want their previous programming back.