# La Séptima launch preparations and technical updates

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/spain-digital-tv-transition-and-new-channel-launch
> Updated: 2026-09-12T03:30:00.000Z. Sources: 101. Developments: 25.

Spain’s Council of Ministers approved a 15‑year licence for Servicios Integrados de Entretenimiento Televisivo (SIETE) on 26 May 2026, later published on 6 June. The licence assigns an HD slot in the MPE5 multiplex and obliges the channel, named La Séptima, to begin transmissions within six months. The launch is tied to the first phase of the nationwide DVB‑T2 transition on 5 November 2026, when four national channels will start Ultra‑HD broadcasts. As the November 5 launch approaches, La Séptima is expanding its talent roster. Journalist Noor Ben Yessef has been confirmed as a key presenter for the prime-time daily news magazine. Editorial director Javier Ruiz, who recently departed Cadena SER and the TVE program ‘Mañaneros 360’, is set to lead the new channel. To fill Ruiz’s vacancy at TVE, Jesús Cintora has moved to co-host ‘Mañaneros 360’ alongside Adela González and Ane Ibarzabal. Recent additions include journalist Verónica Sanz, following her tenure at laSexta, and model Alba Carrillo, who will host ‘Fuera de control’ alongside Marta Márquez. Comedian Héctor de Miguel, known as Quequé, has also been selected as the channel’s comedy lead, stating his intent to use humor as a “dike of containment” against political tensions. Technical and operational preparations are also advancing. Based in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, the channel intends to use a centralized production model with live programming from a single multipurpose studio to manage costs. Project promoter José Miguel Contreras has stated the channel aims to provide editorial plurality to a market he describes as a duopoly with a conservative bias. While initial investment estimates were approximately 25 million euros, updated business plans project a 30 million euro investment over the first two years, with operating expenses expected to exceed 100 million euros over the first three fiscal years.

## Claims

- Alba Carrillo has signed an agreement to host an entertainment magazine for the new television network La Séptima. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The program will air during weekend afternoons. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- La Séptima is scheduled to launch on November 5. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Javier Ruiz left TVE’s programme ‘Mañaneros 360’ on 7 August 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Javier Ruiz will become director‑editorial of the new channel La Séptima, which will launch on 5 November 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Jesús Cintora will debut as presenter of ‘Mañaneros 360’ on 24 August 2026, co‑hosting with Adela González. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- La Séptima has signed Héctor de Miguel (Quequé) to host a daily humor program. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The new television network La Séptima is scheduled to launch on November 5. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Javier Ruiz clarified that he had ceased being a section head at Cadena SER over eighteen months ago. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Gonzalo Miró will take over as presenter of ‘Malas lenguas’ after Javier Ruiz’s departure. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Aida Bao will join ‘Mañaneros 360’ to handle political current affairs. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Silvia Intxaurrondo will return to present ‘La Hora de la 1’ on 10 August 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-12: La Séptima television channel prepares for November launch

New television channel La Séptima, founded by José Miguel Contreras, prepares for a November 5 launch with Javier Ruiz as editorial director and comedian Héctor de Miguel leading comedy programming.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-sptima-television-channel-to-launch-in-spain

### 2026-09-06: Alba Carrillo joins new television network La Séptima

Alba Carrillo joins the new television network La Séptima to host ‘Fuera de control’ with Marta Márquez this November.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alba-carrillo-joins-new-television-network-la-sptima

### 2026-09-06: TVE adjusts programming and presenter lineup

TVE is adjusting its programming with a focus on low-cost talk shows. Javier Ruiz has moved to the upcoming channel La Séptima, while Jesús Cintora joins Adela González on Mañaneros 360.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tve-adjusts-programming-and-presenter-lineup

### 2026-09-02: La Séptima prepares for TDT launch amid technical shifts

Spain's new TDT channel, La Séptima, prepares for a November 5 launch with Noor Ben Yessef joining the prime-time lineup, amid social media criticism and technical frequency changes in regions like Galicia.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-sptima-television-channel-faces-social-media-backlash

### 2026-08-30: Spanish media undergoes shifts with Cadena SER changes and À Punt rating growth

Spanish media sees major changes as Cadena SER launches a new campaign and journalist Javier Ruiz departs for La Séptima, while À Punt achieves its best summer ratings since 2022.

49 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antena-3-program-y-ahora-sonsoles-launches-fifth-season

### 2026-08-30: Sarah Santaolalla to host own program on La Séptima

Journalist Sarah Santaolalla will host her own program on the upcoming television channel La Séptima, which is set to launch on November 5.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sarah-santaolalla-to-host-own-program-on-la-sptima

### 2026-08-27: La Séptima announces key talent for November television launch

New Spanish television network La Séptima announces key talent hires, including Javier Ruiz, Rocío Delgado, and Luján Argüelles, ahead of its November 5 launch.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-sptima-announces-key-talent-for-november-television-launch

### 2026-08-19: La Séptima television network announces new talent signings

New Spanish TV network La Séptima announces key signings, including Héctor de Miguel and Alba Carrillo, ahead of its November 5 launch. TEN confirms 'El Sótano Club' will return.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-sptima-television-network-announces-new-talent-signings

### 2026-08-13: La Séptima hires journalist Rocío Delgado

Journalist Rocío Delgado has joined the new Spanish private channel La Séptima to host a daily program, following the recent hiring of director Javier Ruiz.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-sptima-hires-journalist-roco-delgado

### 2026-08-10: RTVE announces presenter changes for Mañaneros 360

Jesús Cintora will replace Javier Ruiz on RTVE’s ‘Mañaneros 360’ starting August 24, as Ruiz prepares to join the new TDT channel La Séptima in November.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jess-cintora-to-join-rtves-maaneros-360-in-august

### 2026-08-07: Javier Ruiz leaves TVE for new channel La Séptima, prompting morning‑show reshuffle

Javier Ruiz quits TVE’s ‘Mañaneros 360’, becomes director‑editorial of La Séptima (launch 5 Nov), prompting a morning‑show overhaul: Jesús Cintora to host ‘Mañaneros 360’ (24 Aug), Gonzalo Miró on ‘Malas lengas

24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-calentao-informativo-ends-after-twoandahalf-years-in-colombia

### 2026-08-04: La Séptima TV channel rules out María Patiño, hints at possible Sálvame presenters

La Séptima, Spain’s new TV channel launching 5 Nov, denies hiring María Patiño and Jorge Javier Vázquez, but may feature former “Sálvame” faces.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-sptima-tv-channel-rules-out-mara-patio-hints-at-possible-slvame-presenters

### 2026-08-01: Spain to launch UHD terrestrial TV broadcasts on 5 November 2026

Spain will begin UHD terrestrial TV broadcasts on 5 Nov 2026, using DVB‑T2 for four national channels and launching the new “La Séptima” channel; viewers must retune but need not buy new TVs.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-to-launch-uhd-terrestrial-tv-broadcasts-on-5-november-2026

### 2026-07-28: Spain's Vox challenges licence for new TV channel La Séptima

Spain's Vox filed a legal appeal on July 27 against the licence granted to consortium SIETE for the new national TV channel La Séptima, slated to launch on Nov. 5, creating uncertainty for the rollout.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spains-vox-challenges-licence-for-new-tv-channel-la-sptima

### 2026-07-24: La Séptima blocks free placement on Movistar Plus and challenges Mediaset, Atresmedia

La Séptima will pay market rates for a Movistar Plus slot and vows to rival Mediaset, Atresmedia and Cadena SER with a new programming approach ahead of its 5 Nov launch.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-sptima-blocks-free-placement-on-movistar-plus-and-challenges-mediaset-atresmedia

### 2026-07-16: José Miguel Contreras launches La Séptima, a progressive TV channel in Spain

José Miguel Contreras is set to launch La Séptima, a €30 million progressive TV channel in Spain on 5 Nov, hiring ~300 staff, with Javier Ruiz as editorial director and Héctor de Miguel leading a satirical news

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jos-miguel-contreras-launches-la-sptima-a-progressive-tv-channel-in-spain

### 2026-07-13: La Séptima TV channel set to launch in Spain on Nov 5

Spain's new La Séptima TV channel, launching Nov 5, will focus on continuous live coverage without traditional news bulletins, investing €20‑25 million and banning insults, sparking debate over its talk‑show‑dr

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-sptima-tv-channel-set-to-launch-in-spain-on-nov-5

### 2026-07-11: RTVE launches Cultura RTVE channel on Spanish DTT on Nov 5

RTVE will launch its sixth DTT channel, Cultura RTVE, on 5 November in Ultra‑HD, offering cultural programmes and documentaries under journalist Ana Peláez, complementing the new La Séptima channel.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rtve-launches-cultura-rtve-channel-on-spanish-dtt-on-nov-5

### 2026-07-08: Spain grants La Séptima digital TV license, channel to launch Nov 5

Spain approves a DTT licence for La Séptima, a new nationwide live‑news channel launching on 5 Nov, targeting competition with Cuatro and La Sexta.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-grants-la-sptima-digital-tv-license-channel-to-launch-nov-5

### 2026-07-06: Spain to launch ultra‑HD terrestrial TV and new public channel La Séptima on 5 Nov 2026

Spain will switch its terrestrial TV to UHD via DVB‑T2 on 5 Nov 2026, adding the public channel La Séptima in San Sebastián de los Reyes; viewers must retune and some channels will shift.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-upgrades-digital-tv-to-uhd-and-adds-temporary-sanfermines-channel

### 2026-07-03: Spain to launch UHD terrestrial TV broadcasts on 5 November

Spain will begin UHD terrestrial TV broadcasts on 5 Nov using DVB‑T2, adding a new channel and requiring viewers to retune; HD will remain available for non‑UHD sets.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-to-launch-uhd-terrestrial-tv-broadcasts-on-5-november

### 2026-06-29: José Miguel Contreras prepares new Spanish TV channel for October launch

José Miguel Contreras is set to launch an unnamed Spanish TV channel in October 2024, featuring eight prominent media figures and aiming to avoid personalism, with the name and DTT slot still pending.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jos-miguel-contreras-prepares-new-spanish-tv-channel-for-october-launch

### 2026-06-15: Spain prepares launch of new TV channel Siete amid industry opposition

Spain's José Miguel Contreras plans to launch the pro‑government Siete TV channel after summer, backed by Televisa but opposed by Prisa and its president.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-prepares-launch-of-new-tv-channel-siete-amid-industry-opposition

### 2026-06-07: Spain to launch new TV channel and switch to DVB‑T2 in 2026

Spain will launch a new TDT channel (SIETE) and migrate to DVB‑T2 in 2026, requiring viewers to retune; only 36.6% of TVs are currently ready for the UHD standard.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-to-launch-new-tv-channel-and-switch-to-dvbt2-in-2026

### 2026-05-26: Spain approves licence for new national digital TV channel SIETE

Spain’s Council of Ministers granted a 15‑year licence to SIETE for a new national digital TV channel, outbidding Mediaset; the Prisa‑linked channel aims to launch by September.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-approves-licence-for-new-national-digital-tv-channel-siete

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Cite as: La Séptima launch preparations and technical updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/spain-digital-tv-transition-and-new-channel-launch