On February 14, 2024, Spain completed a major shift in Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). From that date forward, all broadcasts moved exclusively to high definition (HD), with standard definition (SD) channels phased out completely.
This transition followed Royal Decree 391/2019 of June 21, which aimed to free bandwidth for more efficient use and to support the delivery of 4K content. The reform also aligned with the growing expansion of fifth generation mobile networks (5G) across Europe, enabling a broader range of high-quality services.
The schedule for the change had originally targeted January 1, 2023, but authorities postponed the deadline due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The postponement was explained as necessary because the health crisis slowed the renewal of television equipment to ensure DTT broadcasts could reliably reach HD receivers. The government confirmed in early 2023 that the situation warranted extra time.
As a result, the new transition date became February 14, 2024, when the HD standard became mandatory for all broadcasts. Viewers needed an HD-compatible television or a set-top box to continue receiving programming.
Decoder or television replacement
Official estimates indicated that approximately 98% of existing devices already supported HD services, meaning the change would affect only about 2% of current televisions. It is important to note that antenna systems and signal-related equipment also play a key role in the transition. For older setups, households could replace the television or add an HD-capable decoder to maintain access to the new formats.
Regardless of the chosen option, viewers typically needed to reconfigure their channel lists to display only HD-quality stations, as SD channels would no longer be available and would take up space on the receiver. This reconfiguration applied to households receiving service via terrestrial signals as well as those using satellite reception, which required a compliant decoder installation for HD channels.
Deadlines
A viewer’s experience depended on the region and the specific network, but most providers had offered both SD and HD services during the transition period. In many cases, regional channels began broadcasting in HD first, with some launching UHD content as the upgrade matured. Among national networks, content providers rolled out HD versions progressively, and several major channels completed the switch by mid-February.
Regional broadcasters affiliated with the Federation of Autonomous Radio and Television Organizations have been delivering HD since mid-January in certain areas. Other networks followed with varying timelines, adding HD versions for regional and local stations as part of the nationwide upgrade. By February 14, the goal was for the majority of channels to be available in HD, with a few exceptions based on infrastructure readiness.