The Spanish government has formally set 5 November 2026 as the start date for the first phase of ultra-high definition terrestrial television broadcasts. The details are set out in a resolution published on 23 July 2026 by the Secretaría de Estado de Telecomunicaciones e Infraestructuras Digitales, which was published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado The main provision is the introduction of ultra-high definition programmes using the DVB-T2 on the state múltiple digital RGE2.
The changeover is planned in stages. In practice, this means that from 5 November 2026, certain state programmes will broadcast in ultra-high definition on RGE2, while other channels will migrate in later phases. A complete switch of all programmes to DVB-T2 will explicitly not take place at this point. Any changes to the timetable would have to be formally published again in the Boletín Oficial del Estado.
Network operators will need to plan for the reallocation of capacity, frequency coordination and adjustments to transmitter networks. Sites named in official documents, such as the transmitting station at Peña Cabarga in Cantabria, illustrate the technical integration; actual coverage will depend on regional network expansion and coordination. HbbTV services are also to be included in test channels.
For consumers, new receiving equipment must generally support DVB-T2 and ultra-high definition decoding in accordance with the national digital terrestrial television plan. Households with older televisions will be able to receive the new signals only through suitable set-top boxes or by replacing their equipment. Information campaigns are to provide guidance on adjusting communal aerials. As things stand, specific financial support schemes for private households are not regulated uniformly nationwide and are at the discretion of national and autonomous authorities.
The government justifies the move as a technical modernisation of terrestrial broadcasting and preparation for future migrations. Industry representatives also point to outstanding issues such as regional coverage, fine-tuning between broadcasters and timely consumer information. 5 November 2026 therefore marks a binding milestone, when Ultra-hohe Auflösung goes live via DVB-T2 on the state multiplex RGE2, while the nationwide transition is still intended to take place in stages.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).