Viewers across Spain who flick to Clan, BeMad or Atreseries next week may find them in a different spot, or not showing up properly, as the national channels are shuffled to make room for a brand new free station. The fix takes a few minutes and doesn’t need a new television.

Households will need to retune on Thursday November 5

Households across Spain are being told to run a fresh channel search on Thursday November 5, with the Government recommending viewers do it from 8am, once overnight technical work has finished. The changes are the first phase of Spain’s move to a new broadcasting standard called DVB-T2, the technology behind ultra-high-definition (UHD) free-to-air TV. Only one of the national multiplexes (the bundles of channels sent out together), known as RGE2, switches over this time, while all the others carry on as they are.

There’s no need to do anything before 8am on the day. Broadcasters have been running information campaigns since Monday October 5, and a second phase, which will make UHD the standard across national, regional and local channels, will only follow once enough households own compatible equipment. No date has been set for that yet.

Clan, DKISS, Atreseries and BeMad are among the channels on the move

The Government’s own retuning guide names Clan, DKISS, Atreseries and BeMad among the channels that change place, with Spanish press reports adding Boing as Mediaset reorders its channels. Clan’s move comes first, in the early hours of Tuesday November 3, when it joins one of the RTVE (Spain’s public broadcaster) multiplexes.

None of them are leaving Spanish television, and the official guidance says viewers won’t lose any channels. However, after the reshuffle a channel may sit under a different number, turn up further down the list, or not show properly until the television has searched again. Anyone with pay-TV from Movistar Plus+, Orange TV, DIGI or Vodafone TV doesn’t need to do anything, as those platforms update their own channel lists.

A new free channel, La Séptima, launches the same day

Joining the line-up is La Séptima, a new national free-to-air channel that starts broadcasting in high definition on Thursday November 5. It will share a multiplex with DKISS, so it’s one more reason to retune. The licence was awarded in May to a company called Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo, and journalist Javier Ruiz, who has left RTVE, is lined up as its presenter and editorial director. 

Like every other channel, it won’t appear on a television until the search has been run, so viewers who skip the retune simply won’t find it. 

You won’t need a new television or aerial

For anyone wondering ‘do I have to buy a new telly?’, the answer from the Government is no. There are no changes needed to aerials, shared building installations, amplifiers or cabling, and no installer is required just to keep watching. Most channels stay in HD, and televisions without DVB-T2 will keep receiving every channel that’s still on the current system. Newer sets are likely to cope anyway, as every television sold in Spain since the National Technical Plan for TDT (digital terrestrial television) was approved in March 2025 has to be able to receive UHD.

The only catch is the new UHD (sometimes called 4K) versions of La 1, La 2, Antena 3 and Telecinco. To watch those, a television or set-top box must handle both DVB-T2 and a video format called HEVC, and a 4K screen on its own isn’t enough. Each of those channels is also broadcast in HD with the same programmes, so nobody misses out.

How to retune your television in Spain

The menus differ between brands, but the steps are much the same. Press Menu, Home or Settings on the remote, then look for a section called Channels, Broadcast, Installation, Setup or Tuning. 

Choose automatic channel search (Búsqueda automática or Sintonización automática), picking Antenna if the television asks for the signal type. Then leave the television switched on until the search finishes, as turning it off halfway can leave the list incomplete. 

When it’s done, save the changes and check that every channel is there. The list may come back in a different order, often alphabetical, but most televisions let you move channels around using an Edit channels or Sort channels option.

If something is still missing, ask your community of owners or building administrator, or call Televisión Digital, the Government’s helpline, on 901 20 10 04.

• News
• News from Spain

By Nazario Rodriguez • Updated: 30 Oct 2026 • 21:01 • 3 minutes read

Eyewitness described a desperate effort to rescue passengers Credit: Rafa Martín FB (passenger)

Council-run Halloween celebrations have been cancelled or rearranged across the Axarquia and Costa Tropical following three days of national mourning after a fatal train accident in Toledo.

Families planning to attend Halloween celebrations this weekend will need to check the latest arrangements, as several town halls have cancelled their events while others have moved activities to November 1 and 2.

The changes follow the Spanish Government’s declaration of three days of official mourning after a fatal train accident in Urda, Toledo, on October 28.

For a wider explanation of what the mourning period means for private parties and commercial celebrations, read EWN’s guide to whether Halloween is cancelled in Spain.

Halloween cancelled in parts of the Axarquia

Several municipalities in the Axarquia have decided to cancel their planned Halloween celebrations altogether.

Rincon de la Victoria has suspended its municipal Halloween activities in the town, La Cala del Moral and Benagalbon. The cancellation was confirmed following the announcement of the national mourning period.

Velez-Malaga has also cancelled its entire municipal programme. The decision affects the town and surrounding population centres, including Torre del Mar, Caleta de Velez, Benajarafe, Almayate, Chilches, Valle-Niza, Cajiz, Triana, Mezquitilla and Lagos. The Velez-Malaga Town Hall announcement confirming the cancellation of all municipal Halloween activities lists the affected areas.

Halloween celebrations in Torrox and El Morche have also been cancelled, while Frigiliana has suspended its municipal festivities.

The decisions are part of wider changes across the Axarquia, with several other municipalities also cancelling or rearranging their programmes.

Maroween moves to Sunday in Nerja and Maro

One of the area’s best-known autumn celebrations has not been cancelled.

Maroween, the traditional combination of Halloween and the Chestnut and Sweet Potato Festival in Maro, has been moved to Sunday, November 1.

Nerja Town Hall has confirmed that the programme will start at 5pm, with the planned activities including:

• A Halloween parade.
• Traditional roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes.
• Fancy dress competitions.
• Live musical performances.

The official Nerja Town Hall announcement confirming the new Maroween date confirms that the original programme will be maintained.

Almuñecar moves Halloween to November 1

On the Costa Tropical, Almuñecar has moved its municipal Halloween party to Sunday, November 1.

The change was announced by the Culture Department as part of wider adjustments to the town’s events programme during the national mourning period.

The announcement from Almuñecar’s Culture Department confirms that the Halloween party will go ahead on Sunday.

Other cultural events have also been rearranged, including the Fall Fest concert, which moves to Monday, November 2.

Motril rearranges Halloween celebrations

Motril has also confirmed that its Halloween activities will take place on Sunday, November 1, instead of the original date.

The revised programme includes a spooky parade leaving Plaza de España at 7pm, followed by a DJ party at Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas from 7.40pm.

A haunted passage will also open at 7.40pm in the basement of the Tourist Office.

The Motril Town Hall announcement confirming the revised Halloween programme provides the updated timings.

Salobreña spreads celebrations over two days

Salobreña has reorganised its Halloween programme across Sunday, November 1, and Monday, November 2, rather than cancelling the celebrations.

Activities on Sunday will take place in the neighbouring communities of Lobres and La Caleta, between 6pm and 8pm.

Children and young people can enjoy inflatable attractions, fancy dress competitions and sweets, with local groups also organising traditional refreshments.

Lobres will have roscos, chocolate, chestnuts and anise, while La Caleta’s Juventud Escaletera group will provide a spooky afternoon snack.

Salobreña’s main municipal celebrations will then take place on Monday, November 2, between midday and 2pm.

Activities will include inflatable attractions, a fancy dress competition, sweets and a horror maze.

The official Salobreña Town Hall announcement confirming the November 1 and 2 Halloween programme provides the full details.

Check before heading out

Residents and visitors are advised to check their local council’s announcements before travelling to Halloween events, as programmes and arrangements have changed at short notice.

While some municipalities have decided to cancel their celebrations, others have made alternative arrangements so children can still enjoy Halloween after the period of official mourning.