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Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Spain’s free-to-air terrestrial television platform, has begun the first phase of its transition to the DVB-T2 standard, which will enable Ultra High Definition (UHD) broadcasts and reorganise part of the channel line-up. The technical changes, which have now been implemented, coincide with the launch of La Septima, a new national television channel in Spain.

To access the new signals and find channels in their new positions, viewers must retune their televisions. This technological transition was approved by the Spanish Government in March 2025, with the aim of promoting UHD as a broadcasting standard.

The multiplex capacity will be allocated among RTVE, which will have a 50% share, and Atresmedia and Mediaset, each with 25%. In this initial phase, RGE2 will carry: La 1 UHD, La 2 UHD, Antena 3 UHD and Telecinco UHD (from Mediaset), as well as the visual service for Radio Para Todos-RNE.

La Septima

The new national channel has made the move from mobile screens to television sets. Having begun promoting itself on social media over the summer and gradually revealing the faces behind its programmes, La Séptima has reached viewers’ homes on the same day as the launch of the transition to UHD.

From 12:00 on 5 November, the channel will begin broadcasting live on DTT, YouTube and Movistar Plus+, Telefónica’s pay-TV platform. It will also become available on Orange TV, Vodafone TV and Digi TV, subscription television services operated by Spanish telecommunications providers, in the coming weeks.

“We are launching at a time when things are not yet in the conditions we expect to reach eventually”, comments José Miguel Contreras, founder of Globomedia and Director of Content at Prisa Media, the Spanish media group behind the project. “You have welcomed us very warmly, and we ask you to make one more effort and be understanding as we get started. We hope to get everything right from the outset, but that will not be the case. We will make mistakes, there will be errors and things will go wrong”.

“We are going to start, as Contreras says, with what we have. We will eventually get to where we want to be”, adds Javier Ruiz, Editorial Director of La Séptima.

RTVE

Spain’s public-service broadcaster, RTVE (Radiotelevisión Española), is also launching UHD broadcasts of La 2, one of its main general-interest television channels, and introducing RNE Accesible, a radio service adapted for people with hearing impairments.

Previously known as RNE para todos, RNE Accesible is the world’s first radio accessibility service delivered through DTT for people with hearing impairments. It aims to make Radio Nacional de España (RNE), RTVE’s public radio service, accessible through subtitles and sign language. Viewers can also see what is happening inside Radio Nacional’s main studio.

Atresmedia

Atresmedia, one of Spain’s leading private media groups, is joining the new rollout with its two main general-interest channels.

The main development is the launch of Antena 3 UHD on DTT, allowing viewers to access the channel’s programming through a new Ultra High Definition signal.

Atresmedia is also expanding its offering with laSexta UHD. However, this channel will not initially be included in the DTT UHD line-up, but will instead be distributed through atresplayer, the group’s streaming platform, and various pay-TV services.