Spain's TDT to transition to UHD and launch new channel on November 5

Spain's digital terrestrial television (TDT) will undergo a major technical transition on November 5. Following a resolution from the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Civil Service, broadcasters including RTVE, Atresmedia, and Mediaset will begin Ultra High Definition (UHD) transmissions. This shift is made possible by the implementation of the DVB-T2 standard, which allows for more efficient spectrum use and improved image and sound quality.

The reorganization will also see the launch of ‘La Séptima’, a new national generalist television channel directed by journalist Javier Ruiz. The channel aims to focus on live programming, current affairs, and original productions.

Viewers will be required to rescan their TDT channels to access the new signals. While UHD will be available for certain channels, most broadcasters will continue to provide High Definition (HD) signals, ensuring compatibility for televisions that do not support UHD. Additionally, RTVE will launch RNE Accesible, a service designed for the hearing impaired that provides subtitles and sign language via TDT.