As announced by a royal decree in 2019, the change aims to conserve bandwidth and improve the transfer of 4K content. It also aligns with the growth of fifth generation mobile services and the broader adoption of enhanced broadcasting across Europe.
The transition was planned to begin on January 1, 2023, but the Digital Transformation Ministry later postponed it due to the Covid-19 situation. The extension was framed as a response to the epidemic slowing the renewal of television equipment to support high definition DTT broadcasts, a point noted by the government in January 2023.
Consequently, the deadline was moved again to February 14, 2024, with the change taking effect from that day. Viewers will need an HD compatible television or an HD capable receiver to access the new services.
Decoder or television replacement
The government indicated that 98% of current devices already support HD services, meaning the measure will affect only about 2% of existing televisions. It is important to highlight that an aerial and other signal-related components are needed to realize this transition. For those with older equipment, a decoder can be used by a helper or a technician, or a compatible television can be purchased that supports the new HD standards.
Whatever choice is made, the next step involves reconfiguring the channel list so only HD channels remain active; other channels will no longer be usable and will clutter the device memory. This reconfiguration must be completed by subscribers receiving the service. Satellite receivers must also be updated to ensure they can handle standard channels in HD format, if used.
Deadlines
Deadlines may vary by region and situation, but many broadcasters have already offered SD and HD services for years. For example, RTVE and other networks plan to begin HD offerings in early February. At that time they will start delivering UHD content as it becomes available. In practice, the changes will be rolled out on February 14 for most platforms. Some channels that have been broadcasting in SD will switch to HD, including certain major networks. Other channels that already have high resolution versions will follow the same schedule. Regional stations under the Federation of Autonomous Radio and Television Organizations have been HD since January, with additional stations joining on or around February 8 to February 12. A few networks may finalize the transition on Valentine’s Day itself.
Throughout the rollout, viewers may experience a period of adjustment as regional channels enhance their HD offerings. This transitional phase will involve updating equipment and tuning to ensure the best possible picture quality on the new HD standard. Citations: official government announcements and broadcaster schedules indicate the phased approach and the expected timeline as described above.