Spain to launch ultra‑HD terrestrial TV and new public channel La Séptima on 5 Nov 2026

The Ministry for the Digital Transformation and Public Service has set 5 November 2026 as the start of the first phase of Spain’s transition to ultra‑high definition (UHD) broadcasting on the Digital Terrestrial Television (TDT) platform, using the DVB‑T2 standard. The rollout will enable simultaneous HD and UHD transmissions on the main national channels, requiring viewers to retune their televisions after 08:00 on that date. Certain channels such as Clan, DKiss, Atreseries, BeMad and Boing may change positions on the dial or temporarily disappear for non‑compatible receivers.

A new state‑owned channel, La Séptima, has been awarded to the consortium Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo (SIETE) and will begin official broadcasts on the same day. Its headquarters are being built in San Sebastián de los Reyes, with technical equipment supplied by Toboggan. The channel aims to compete with Cuatro and La Sexta, offering live, original programming and a non‑polarised editorial line. The plan is part of the National Technical Plan for TDT approved in 2025 and includes a budget of €20‑25 million for the first three years, with a goal of reaching a 2 % market share by 2030. The transition also frees spectrum capacity for future services. The public will be informed about the changes from 8 September, and the second phase of the DVB‑T2 implementation will follow once receiver adoption reaches sufficient levels.