Spain to launch UHD terrestrial TV broadcasts on 5 November 2026

The Spanish Ministry for the Digital Transformation and Public Function published a resolution in the Boletín Oficial del Estado on 31 July 2026 setting 5 November 2026 as the start of the first phase of the country’s digital terrestrial television (TDT) upgrade. From that date four national channels will begin broadcasting in Ultra‑High‑Definition (UHD) using the DVB‑T2 standard, while existing HD services will continue to operate. Viewers will need to retune their receivers; no new television set is required unless they wish to view the UHD streams, which require a DVB‑T2 tuner and HEVC (H.265) support. The transition also introduces a new state‑owned channel, “La Séptima”, awarded to Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo SL. The change aims to improve picture and sound quality and to keep terrestrial TV competitive with satellite and internet platforms.