:: 05/12/2005
DigiTAG report on Analogue Switchover Strategies in western Europe
The terrestrial television market is changing across Europe. Most countries in Western Europe have launched digital terrestrial television (DTT) services and are now making progress towards Analogue Switch-Off (ASO). In order to better understand these developments, the EBU together with DigiTAG have published a report entitled Analogue Switch-off Strategies in Western Europe.
ASO is set to take place across Europe from 2007 to 2015. The report shows that most countries in Western Europe are well on track to meet analogue switch-off by 2015. The advanced ASO planning in Finland suggests that it is likely to become the first European country to end its analogue terrestrial television transmissions in 2007.
The timetable below shows the expected ASO range in Europe.
Fast Track: 2007 – 2008
Finland
Sweden
Netherlands
Germany
Middle Term: 2009 – 2012
Belgium
Norway
Denmark
Switzerland
Austria
Ireland
Last: 2012 – 2015
Italy
UK
France
Spain
Portugal
Greece
The report also explains that the dominant DTT service model adopted by most countries is a free-to-air platform with some pay elements. Marketing and coordination have been recognized as crucial to ensure that viewers are well aware of the benefits of DTT as well as the impending switch-off. Most countries are adopting a region-by-region approach to ASO.
The report investigates the following:
- the important contribution of public service broadcasters to the launch and development of DTT and the crucial role they will play in ASO;
- strategies to minimize the period of dual digital and analogue broadcasting;
- the public policy benefits of digitization and the release of analogue spectrum, and the political issues involved;
- the challenges of ASO and the potential need for some countries to take measures to stimulate the final DTT growth phase;
- the possibilities for post-ASO spectrum release.
This report is available on a free and exclusive basis to all EBU and DigiTAG members.