Starting 14 February 2024, viewers across Spain experienced a major change in how television is broadcast over digital terrestrial platforms — popularly known as TDT (Televisión Digital Terrestre). From that date, all TDT channels stopped transmitting in standard definition (SD) and now broadcast only in high definition (HD). This shift marks the culmination of a long-planned upgrade to Spain’s TV broadcast system.

This update affects public broadcasters, commercial channels and regional networks alike. Major channels such as La 1, La 2, Antena 3, Telecinco, FDF, Divinity and many more now operate only in HD format. Regional public networks have also completed or nearly completed their transitions. Viewers who continue to tune SD signals will no longer receive a picture once the switch is complete.

Why the Change?

The transition to HD broadcast is part of Spain’s Plan Técnico Nacional for digital television — a multi-year effort to modernise the TV experience for viewers and make more efficient use of the broadcast spectrum. With all channels transmitting at HD quality, audiences benefit from sharper images, better sound, and a more immersive viewing experience. The change also aligns Spain with other European countries that have already moved away from SD TV.

Another practical reason for the shift is technological progress: most televisions manufactured in the last decade already include digital tuners capable of HD reception. By phasing out SD, broadcasters can free up bandwidth previously used for dual-format transmission (SD and HD) and eventually repurpose it for future technologies such as Ultra HD (UHD) and more advanced digital services.

What Viewers Need to Do

Because the broadcast format has changed, your TV or set-top box must be compatible with HD signals. Nearly all modern TVs (typically made since the mid-2010s) are already HD-ready, but older sets may only support SD — especially models manufactured before about 2008. If your television cannot display HD channels, you will either need to:

• Use an external HD decoder (a TDT set-top box) connected to the TV.

• Upgrade to a newer television with built-in HD reception.

After ensuring compatibility, it’s also advisable to rescan your TV’s channels so the new HD signals are detected properly in the list. Most TVs have a “Rescan” or “Auto-tune” option within their settings or channel menu.

A Step Toward Better TV

For most viewers in Spain, the switch means a noticeable improvement in picture and sound quality. It also reflects a broader shift toward modern broadcasting standards and future technologies. While the change may require a brief adjustment — checking compatibility, rescanning channels or upgrading older equipment — the result is a clearer, more contemporary TV experience for households nationwide.

These changes also mean that viewers will have access to a Ultra High Definition (UHD) channels from RTVE.