Analogue satellite TV in Europe will be effectively finished in 2012 when Astra switches off the remaining German channels.
The satellite operator's German arm has announced that the remaining 38 analogue channels on the Astra 1 position at 19.2˚East will be terminated in three years' time.
The news follows announcements by public broadcasters ARD and ZDF that they will switch off their analogue TV signals on satellite in early 2012.
Managing director Wolfgang ElsaBer made the announcement in Astra Deutschland's German newsletter, Astra Aktuell, saying: "Astra will say goodbye to the phase-out model of analogue television by the end of 2012.
"The way will then be free for television that’s new, more advanced and appropriate for the 21st century."
Around five million homes in Germany still use analogue satellite receivers, making up more than 25 per cent of the TV population.
http://blog.wotsat.com/page/whatsat?entry=astra_to_axe_analogue_tv
