Sweden’s Modern Times Group (MTG) has confirmed that it has now switched off the analogue broadcasting feed for its Viasat Broadcasting satellite pay-TV channels, which include TV1000 and TV1000 Cinema. The analogue signal of entertainment channel TV3 nevertheless remains on air, as a switch-off now could represent the loss of millions of Kronar in advertising revenue.

MTG is one of the first satellite TV operators to close down its analogue signal. According to the company, the switch-off of Viasat’s seven analogue transponders will save around SKr200 million (E22.16 million) annually, enabling it to pay back the cost of providing free TV digital set-top boxes to Viasat’s premium customers within two years. MTG claims it is now the largest digital TV operator in the Nordic territories with over 400,000 subscribers.

MTG started the transition to digital TV in October 2000 and, in addition to the conversion of Viasat premium subscribers, around 125,000 new subscribers had signed up for digital TV services by the end of March. Some 85 per cent of these opted for the premium ‘Viasat Gold’ package.