Dutch Pull Plug on Analog Television

The Netherlands ended transmission of “free to air” analog television Monday, becoming the first nation to switch completely to digital signals.

Few Dutch consumers noticed, because the overwhelming majority get TV via cable. Only around 74,000 households relied primarily on the old-fashioned TV antennas in this country of 16 million, although 220,000 people had an “occasional use” set somewhere such as in a vacation house, camper or boat, according to government figures.