Spain to launch new TV channel and switch to DVB‑T2 in 2026

Spain's digital terrestrial television (TDT) will undergo a major overhaul beginning in 2026. The government has awarded a 15‑year license to Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo (SIETE) to launch a new channel, with a six‑month deadline to start broadcasting. The rollout will be timed with the migration of the state multiplex RGE2 from the DVB‑T standard to the more efficient DVB‑T2, enabling higher‑definition (UHD) transmissions and the use of the H.265/HEVC video codec.

Viewers will need to retune their receivers once the changes take effect. Current statistics show only 36.6% of Spanish television sets can handle UHD and the new standard, far short of the ministry’s target of 95% compatibility and 90% UHD readiness before a full transition. The first phase, expected to start by the end of 2026, will coincide with the 2026 World Cup coverage in 4K. Full nationwide migration is not anticipated until after 2030.

The plan aims to keep Spain at the forefront of European broadcast technology, adding three new UHD channels (La 2 UHD, Antena 3 UHD, Telecinco UHD) while reallocating existing channels to other multiplexes.