Watching television through the Internet allows us to access hundreds of different channels of all genres. Beyond DTT, there are currently many options and platforms where we can see content in Full HD or 4K. Users complement this wide range of possibilities with Smart TVs and screens that are capable of offering these resolutions. However, DTT continues to alternate HD channels with SD or standard definition channels. Fortunately, not for long. The countdown has begun and this 2022 will be the last without all DTT channels in HD. In less than 9 months, the suffering will end and the long-awaited improvement in DTT image quality that thousands of users expect will arrive.
We are getting used to watching content over the Internet, whether on paid platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ or free platforms like Tivify and Pluto TV. The vast majority reject the rehashes of programs broadcast by DTT and its endless commercial breaks. Prime time is increasingly delayed on the grid and not everyone is willing to stay up late to see what the DTT channels are broadcasting. To this we must add that not all channels can be seen in HD, but this has its days numbered.
Definitive farewell of the channels in SD
The latest National Technical Plan for Digital Terrestrial Television, published in the BOE on June 25, 2019, highlights the future of DTT. In article 7 we can read:
“All television channels, whatever their scope of coverage, must evolve their broadcasts to high definition before January 1, 2023.”
In addition, the fourth transitional provision clarifies that:
“License holders of the terrestrial digital television audiovisual communication service, whatever their scope of coverage, that are broadcasting television channels in standard definition may continue to broadcast with this resolution until January 1, 2023. At any time before this date, said holders may evolve the emission of these channels to high definition prior notification to the administrative authority that granted the enabling title for the provision of the service and consequent cessation of the emission in standard definition”.
To this we must add that the parquet of new televisions to the DVB-T2 standard or ultra high definition. This is reflected in the sixth transitory provision:
“All digital terrestrial television receivers, which are placed on the Spanish market after a period of nine months from the date of entry into force of this royal decree, in addition to being prepared to tune in to digital terrestrial television broadcasts, they must incorporate the tuner for broadcasts in high definition, with the technical specifications indicated in article 9. They must also incorporate the ability to receive broadcasts with signal transmission technology in accordance with standard EN 302 755 (DVB-T2)” .
DVB-T2
In 2023 all DTT channels in HD
As confirmed in the previous lines, this year will be the last in which DTT channels are not available in HD. Which is a year of work by those responsible for the different channels of the spectrum that will have to adapt their emissions before the end of the year.
The DTT television channels that still broadcast in standard definition still have room for maneuver to permanently migrate to high definition, as is happening in other European countries with the application of the DVB-T2 standard. It should be remembered that almost half of the most watched DTT channels in our country offer SD resolution. Clear examples of this are FDF, Energy, Nova or Neox, although the latter two have HD versions on digital platforms.
