Spanish TV and Freeview / Spanish TV and UK TVs / Will my UK TV work in Spain?

If TDT is Spains version of UK Freeview TV, can I get BBC and ITV and other UK TV channels via Freeview in Spain?

You cannot get BBC, ITV or any other UK TV channels on TDT. TDT is a Spanish TV system, and provides Spanish TV channels only. Even using a UK Freeview receiver in Spain, you still will not be able to receive BBC or ITV via a Spanish TV aerial on TDT.  You will not be able to receive Freeview in Spain. Freeview is only available in the UK, and is only able to be received in the UK via a TV aerial. The nearest Freeview transmitter is in Cornwall and the Channel Islands, and that transmitters signal is not powerful enough to reach Spain.

 

Will my UK digital Freeview box work in Spain?

Some UK Freeview TV boxes do work in Spain and receive the channels on TDT. However, some UK Freeview boxes may not be able to change programmes into their original language as some UK boxes are programmed to look for English, Welsh and Gaelic language “tags”, where as in Spain they use different language tags like “Dos” or “VO” (Version Original), or “Multi” or “Und”.

Any company offering “UK Freeview in Spain” should not be approached, as it is impossible to receive Freeview in Spain, and they clearly do no know what they are talking about if they are offering it in Spain! (if you are unsure, ask them to use an official Freeview branded receiver set top box, connect it to a normal TV aerial, and see if they can receive Freeview – the EPG should have the Freeview logo on it if they are using an official Freeview receiver)

 

Will my English / UK TV work in Spain?

This is a question I get asked a lot of times….

Simple answer is Yes, a UK TV will work in Spain.

There used to be issues with the older analogue TV systems, where for example, if you connect a Spanish TV aerial into an English TV, you had pictures but no audio. This is because British TV sets operating on the British system (PAL-1) where are Spain uses the PAL- BG standard. This mean that you may get picture but not sound.

These days TVs do not have this problem with Digital TV in Spain, as the digital signls are pretty much standard around Europe. Also TV today pan European settings available via their menu systems.

In addition, any device, like a satellite receiver or a Televisión Digital Terrestre TDT set top box, you buy in Spain and connect to your TV via the SCART / EURO or HDMI connectors will work.