Spain has delayed the switch off of SD channel on TDT (Television Digital Terrestrial) that was due to start on the 1st January 2023.

(TDT – TV via the TV aerial).

The switch would have meant that all channels

on TDT, would have to transmit in HD.

In 2019, the Spanish government sought to require all broadcast outlets on TDT to drop their digital SD feed in favor of the newer HD signal by º January 2023. It gave households in Spain a grace period of three years to acquire a new or used HD-capable TV set in order to continue receiving broadcast television. Failure to do so meant that those viewers would not be able to watch Spanish TV, as their TVs may only be able to handle the closed SD channels.

But due to certain “economic concerns”, including the domestic effect of year coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, the proposed switch off and change to HD, has been delayed until 14 February 2024.

Delaying the proposed SD feed close down will allow residents more time to obtain a HD-capable TV set.

The government now says TV viewers must be ready to receive HD-only signals by February 14, 2024, and — barring another delay — broadcasters are expected to have everything in place to shut down their SD feeds on that day.