Major DTT update rolls out on 5 November

On Thursday 5th November 2026, digital terrestrial television (DTT) in Spain will undergo a significant upgrade, with multiple channels launching ultra-high definition (UHD) broadcasts. This change affects all viewers who use an aerial, including those in Catalonia watching TV3, and requires a full channel rescan from 8:00 am peninsular time. The shift is part of the first phase of the National Technical Plan for DTT, established under Royal Decree 250/2025 and detailed in a July 2026 resolution from the State Secretariat for Telecommunications, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). The RGE2 state multiplex will transition to DVB-T2, the second-generation European transmission standard, and begin broadcasting four UHD channels: La 1, a second RTVE channel likely to be La 2, Antena 3, and Telecinco.

TV3 UHD launches on regional multiplex

In Catalonia, TV3 will launch its UHD service via the second regional multiplex, which became available after the closure of 8TV in 2023. The broadcast will use the existing DVB-T standard with HEVC (H.265) compression and high dynamic range (HDR) in HLG format, allowing some 4K TVs without DVB-T2 to still receive the signal. Coverage is expected to reach 99% of the population, transmitted on radio channel 33 in Barcelona, 36 in Tarragona, Girona and southern Lleida, and 40 in northern Lleida. This regional multiplex is shared: 50% is allocated to CCMA (TV3), 25% to La 2Cat, RTVE’s Catalan-language channel, and 25% to a private operator to be awarded by the Audiovisual Council of Catalonia.

The change is necessary to use spectrum more efficiently and support future technological development, according to the Ministry for Digital Transformation.

No equipment changes needed for most viewers

The government confirms no changes to aerials or communal installations are required. Viewers using subscription services like Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, or Digi TV will not need to retune, as operators handle updates automatically. To continue receiving all channels, especially the new UHD services, viewers must perform an automatic channel search from 8:00 am on 5 November. TVs without DVB-T2 or HEVC decoders will still receive HD versions of channels but will not access UHD content. For those with a 4K TV unable to receive UHD via aerial, an external DVB-T2 receiver with HEVC and HDMI 2,160p output costs around €70. Devices priced at €30 often only support Full HD and will not deliver 4K.

Who is affected and what to do

  • All DTT users must rescan channels on or after 8:00 am, 5 November 2026
  • Subscription TV users (Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, Digi) do not need to act
  • 4K TV owners should verify DVB-T2 and HEVC compatibility via the manual or manufacturer’s website
  • Older 4K TVs may lose La 1 UHD after the switch if they lack DVB-T2

A reliable test is whether the TV can display La 1 UHD after the rescan. The consumer group OCU warns that having '4K' or 'HDR' on the box does not guarantee DVB-T2 support. According to UHD Spain, only 36.6% of TVs in Spain were UHD-ready via aerial by the end of 2025. A second phase, with no set date, will switch all multiplexes to DVB-T2 once 95% of TVs support it and 90% support UHD with HEVC.

Sources: Ara, television.digital.gob.es.