Spain TV retune: five channels could disappear

Five TV channels across Spain could move or disappear from some sets on Thursday 5 November unless viewers retune. The change begins before 8.00 as digital terrestrial television (TDT), the TV service received through an aerial, starts new ultra-high-definition (UHD) broadcasts and the national channel La Séptima arrives. Clan, DKISS, Atreseries, BeMad and Boing are the channels that could be affected, depending on the receiving equipment.

This is not a general TV switch-off. Most existing channels will remain available in high definition (HD) without a retune. But a fresh channel search is needed to receive the new UHD broadcasts and find every channel in its new position, says the National Federation of Telecommunications Installers and Integrators (Fenitel).

Why channels are moving

The first stage introduces DVB-T2, a broadcast standard that allows UHD pictures and better sound. It also frees up space for La Séptima. The five affected channels could move to another position on the channel list or stop appearing until the set is retuned.

TVs that cannot receive the new technology will still get existing programmes in HD. A wider move to UHD for regional and local channels will come only when enough receiving equipment is ready.

Who needs to retune

People who watch through a telecommunications provider do not need to change their settings: the provider will handle it, according to the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU). For satellite users in rural areas or reception gaps, the platform usually updates channels automatically.

For a TV or receiver using TDT directly, open the settings menu and choose an automatic channel search. Save the changes when it finishes, then check the channels. The list may need rearranging afterwards.

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com