Spain approves licence for new national digital TV channel SIETE

Spain’s Council of Ministers approved the award of a licence for a new open‑access digital terrestrial television (TDT) channel to Servicios Integrados de Entretenimiento Televisivo (SIETE). The company, administered by Andrés Varela Entrecanales and linked to a group of Prisa shareholders under Global Alconaba, won the contest over Mediaset, which also applied for the licence.

The licence covers the entire national territory, is valid for fifteen years and may be renewed for another fifteen if legal requirements are met. The channel will become the country’s private channel number 23 and is expected to begin broadcasting within six months, with a target launch in September.

The government said the tender is intended to increase the representativeness of societal interests in the TV spectrum, foster technological innovation and improve the quality of TDT services, adding a differentiated audiovisual offering to the existing six national broadcasters.