The lineup of the new digital terrestrial television (DTT) channel granted to the consortium Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo SL. (SIETE) may begin broadcasting starting next November 5, the date on which its slot in the radioelectric spectrum will be enabled and on which DTT broadcasts in ultra-high definition (UHD) will also start in Spain.
The Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function reported this Friday on this calendar, specifying that, in any case, the new channel's programming must be available to the public "always before November 27". The channel has Luis Morales Losada as production manager.
The department headed by Óscar López has submitted a resolution for public consultation to deploy the new DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial 2) technological standard in the DTT service, the same one used by most European Union member states.
As detailed by the Ministry, the DVB-T2 system makes ultra-high definition (UHD) broadcasts possible, with a notable improvement in the definition and quality of both image and audio. "DTT providers will be able to compete with other platforms or audiovisual services that use other transmission networks, such as satellite or internet television, which already broadcast in UHD," it stated.
Furthermore, the Ministry has emphasized that DVB-T2 technology enables "more efficient use" of the radioelectric spectrum, as its deployment frees up part of the capacity of one of the digital multiples —the frequency blocks that group the simultaneous broadcast of several channels—, generating space for the new nationwide coverage channel whose license was granted on May 26 to the company managed by Andrés Varela Entrecanales and linked to the group of Prisa shareholders structured around Global Alconaba.
Reorganization of channels and leap to UHD
The document submitted for consultation sets the early morning of November 5 as the time when the redistribution of state channels among the different digital multiples will take place. On the same day, DVB-T2 technology will be activated on the main national DTT channels, which will then have two simultaneous signals, one in HD and another in UHD using this new standard.
Starting at 8:00 AM on November 5, users will have to retune their televisions to access UHD broadcasts, the new SIETE channel, and the rest of the channels in their new location on the dial.
Until this retuning is completed, the new UHD signals will not be available on receivers, although most channels will continue to be viewed in high definition (HD) as before. In the case of Clan (RTVE), DKISS (RadioBlanca), A3Series (A3Media), BeMad, and Boing (Mediaset), it will be mandatory to retune, as they may appear in a different position on the DTT dial or even stop being displayed, depending on the configuration of each receiving device.
The audience resolution also establishes that companies affected by the frequency rearrangement must communicate the changes that concern them starting next September 8, so that the population is aware in time of the need to retune their equipment and can take advantage of the new DTT features.
The introduction of this technological standard is part of the National Technical Plan for Digital Terrestrial Television, approved in March 2025. Since the entry into force of said Plan, all televisions marketed in Spain must be capable of receiving DTT broadcasts in ultra-high definition.
Households that do not yet have televisions compatible with this technology will continue to access content in HD, with no changes from the current situation. When the DTT receiver park is sufficiently adapted, the second phase of technological evolution will begin, with the widespread extension of UHD quality to regional and local channels.