Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 23, 2026, from the State Secretariat for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 31, 2026 |
| Key effective dates | November 3, 2026 (multiplex reorganization) and November 5, 2026 (start of UHD broadcasts) |
| Main affected parties | RTVE, Atresmedia, Mediaset, Radio Blanca, Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo SL, public administrations with RGE2 coverage extension stations and citizens with DTT televisions |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Technology | DVB-T2 (European standard EN 302 755), Ultra High Definition (UHD) broadcasts |
| Affected multiplex | RGE2 (and reorganization of MPE2, MPE3 and MPE5) |
Starting on November 5, 2026, terrestrial digital television in Spain takes a significant technological leap: Ultra High Definition (UHD) broadcasts arrive through the RGE2 digital multiplex, using DVB-T2 transmission technology (European standard EN 302 755). The Resolution of July 23, 2026 from the State Secretariat for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure sets the dates, conditions and actors involved in this spectrum reorganization.
This is not just an image improvement for viewers: it involves a complete redistribution of capacity across several state digital multiplexes, the entry of a new operator and specific obligations for public administrations and television broadcasters.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution sets two distinct operational dates and establishes how capacity is redistributed across state coverage digital multiplexes:
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| November 3, 2026 | Reorganization of capacity distribution in state coverage digital multiplexes |
| October 5, 2026 | Mandatory start of information campaigns by affected broadcasters |
| November 5, 2026 | Start of UHD broadcasts with DVB-T2 on the RGE2 multiplex; deadline for public administrations to adapt their coverage extension stations or cease broadcasting |
The capacity distribution on the RGE2 multiplex is as follows:
- RTVE: occupies 50% of RGE2 capacity for UHD broadcasting.
- Atresmedia and Mediaset: share the remaining 50% of RGE2 to simultaneously broadcast their currently HD content in UHD.
As a result, Atresmedia and Mediaset migrate their HD channels to the MPE2 and MPE3 multiplexes, freeing their space in MPE5. That space in MPE5 is assigned to:
- Radio Blanca
- Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo, SL, new awarded operator from the tender resolved in May 2026.
The CNMC will be responsible for assigning the new identifying parameters for the channels, with the aim of minimizing the impact on user retuning.
Economic and operational impact
For DTT operators, this resolution represents a first-order technical and logistical reorganization. Atresmedia and Mediaset must execute a simultaneous migration of their HD channels to new multiplexes while beginning to broadcast in UHD: two parallel processes with a fixed and immovable deadline.
For public administrations operating RGE2 multiplex coverage extension stations, the impact is binary: either they adapt their facilities to DVB-T2 and UHD before November 5, 2026, or they must cease broadcasting. There is no intermediate timeline or extension provided in the resolution.
For citizens, the change means that televisions that are not compatible with DVB-T2 and UHD will not be able to receive the new high-definition channels on RGE2. Retuning will be necessary, and broadcasters are obligated to inform about this from October 5, 2026.
The new operator (Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo, SL) gains access to capacity on MPE5, which represents a direct business opportunity derived from this spectrum reorganization.
Who does it affect?
- RTVE: manages 50% of RGE2 multiplex capacity for UHD broadcasts.
- Atresmedia: migrates HD channels to MPE2 or MPE3 and broadcasts in UHD from RGE2.
- Mediaset: same as Atresmedia, simultaneous migration and UHD broadcast.
- Radio Blanca: gains capacity on MPE5 when Atresmedia and Mediaset free up space.
- Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo, SL: new awarded operator with access to MPE5.
- Public administrations with RGE2 coverage extension stations: obligated to adapt to DVB-T2/UHD before November 5 or cease broadcasting.
- Citizens with DTT televisions: will need to retune and, in some cases, have equipment compatible with DVB-T2 and UHD to access the new channels.
- Manufacturers and installers of DTT reception equipment: foreseeable increase in demand for adapters and compatible televisions.
Practical example
A provincial council that operates a coverage extension station of the RGE2 multiplex to provide signal to rural municipalities in its territory faces the most urgent impact of this resolution. It has until November 5, 2026 to update its equipment to the DVB-T2 standard and guarantee UHD transmission. If it does not, it must shut down the station on that same day. There is no intermediate option: either it adapts or it ceases.
This means that the infrastructure or telecommunications department of that administration must initiate the process of tendering or contracting the necessary technical equipment with sufficient advance notice, given that the effective timeline from the publication of the resolution (July 31, 2026) to the deadline (November 5, 2026) is barely three months.
What should companies do now?
- DTT operators (Atresmedia, Mediaset): plan and execute the technical migration of HD channels to MPE2/MPE3 before November 3, 2026, in parallel with preparing UHD broadcast on RGE2.
- RTVE: prepare the technical infrastructure to occupy 50% of RGE2 capacity in UHD before November 5, 2026.
- All affected broadcasters: launch information campaigns aimed at citizens before October 5, 2026, explaining the necessary retuning and equipment compatibility.
- Public administrations with RGE2 extension stations: immediately initiate contracting processes to adapt equipment to DVB-T2/UHD. The maximum deadline is November 5, 2026; after that deadline, they must cease broadcasting.
- New operator (Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo, SL): coordinate with CNMC the assignment of identifying parameters on MPE5 and prepare to start broadcasting.
- Radio Blanca: same, coordination with CNMC for assignment on MPE5.
- Any entity in the audiovisual or infrastructure sector: review if it operates stations linked to RGE2 and evaluate the impact of the mandatory technological migration.
Frequently asked questions
When does UHD DTT start in Spain?
Ultra High Definition (UHD) broadcasts with DVB-T2 technology start on November 5, 2026 on the RGE2 digital multiplex. The prior reorganization of state digital multiplexes occurs on November 3, 2026.
Which channels will broadcast in UHD and on which multiplex?
On the RGE2 multiplex: RTVE (with 50% of capacity) and Atresmedia and Mediaset (with the other 50% shared between them) will broadcast their currently HD content in UHD. Their HD channels migrate to the MPE2 and MPE3 multiplexes.
What should public administrations with RGE2 extension stations do?
They must adapt their stations to DVB-T2 and UHD technology before November 5, 2026. If they do not do so by that deadline, they are obligated to cease broadcasting. No extension is provided for in the resolution.
When should broadcasters inform citizens about retuning?
Affected broadcasters must launch their information campaigns to citizens starting October 5, 2026, one month before the start of UHD broadcasts.
Who is the new operator entering MPE5?
Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo, SL, awarded operator from the tender resolved in May 2026. Together with Radio Blanca, it will occupy the capacity on MPE5 freed by Atresmedia and Mediaset when they migrate to MPE2 and MPE3.
Official source
Consult complete regulation on official source (BOE-A-2026-16750)
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16750