Digital terrestrial television in Portugal

Digital terrestrial television in Portugal (Portuguese: Televisão Digital Terrestre, or TDT) launched on 29 April 2009 with (as of December 2016) 7 free-to-air (FTA) channels. In the Azores and Madeira Islands, regional channels (RTP Açores or RTP Madeira) are available.[1][2] By June 2010 TDT coverage reached 83% of the population and was expected to reach 100% by the end of 2010. The analog to digial conversion finished on 26 April 2012.[3] The four existing analog FTA channels simulcasted in DVB-T, MPEG-4/H.264 (digital),[4] and PAL (analog).

History

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The Portuguese government first began considering digital terrestrial television in 1998, at a time when the first services in Europe were being tested. The tentative launch of the platform was set to be in 2000; the first phase was supposed to end in 2002.[5]

On April 2, 2001, Ferro Rodrigues announced the first tender for a digital terrestrial television network in Portugal, with a second tender to grant the channels in the second half of the year. The goal was to start in the second half of 2002, achieving 90% reach, and shutting down the analog signals in 2007.[6] On August 20, the PTDP consortium won the license.[7]

PTDP's service was scheduled to start on August 31, 2002, but due to recommendations from ANACOM, it was suggested that the launch was to be delayed to 2003.[8] After the delay, ANACOM suggested the dismantling of the PTDP consortium.[9]

In April 2008, there were two companies bidding for the exploitation of subscription channels on digital terrestrial, PT using MEO and the Swedish company AirPlus TV. Following the commercial launch of MEO's IPTV service, there were plans for a MEO DT service, which was set to be the cheapest subscription television offer in the market.[10]

The TDT process was broken into two licenses: one for management of the FTA network and frequencies, and one for the management and distribution of pay TV channels and content. Both licenses were won by Portugal Telecom (PT). PT also acquired the transmitter network of Televisão Independente (TVI), thus becoming the sole broadcaster of analog television signals.[11] ANACOM's objective was to have 5 TDT FTA channels (including a new 5th FTA channel) and a paid TV offer of around 40 channels. The plan for a paid TV offer was abandoned when PT announced that they were returning the paid TV license to ANACOM, which returned the 2.5 million paid by PT.[12]

The creation of the 5th TV channel was criticized by private broadcasters, TVI and Sociedade Independente de Comunicação (SIC). They argued that the television advertising market was saturated and a new broadcaster would damage existing channels.[13]

ARTV started test broadcasts on December 27, 2012 and regular broadcasts on January 3, 2013. The channel became the first terrestrial channel to launch in nearly twenty years.[14]

In 2023, Media Capital CEO Pedro Morais Leitão said that the company was considering pulling out of DTT broadcasting.[15] In November 2023, ANACOM extended the DTT license by 7 years upon MEO request. This license is valid until 10 December 2030.[16]

Transmitters

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There are in total 262 DTT transmitters available in Portugal.[17]

DTT transmitters Channel Frequencies
Abrantes 35 582-590 MHz
Águeda 44 654-662 MHz
Águeda Industrial 44 654-662 MHz
Albufeira 43 646-654 MHz
Alcácer do Sal 37 598-606 MHz
Alcobaça 35 582-590 MHz
Alcoutim 47 678-686 MHz
Aldeia de Juso 35 582-590 MHz
Alenquer 35 582-590 MHz
Algueirão 35 582-590 MHz
Almada 37 598-606 MHz
Almodôvar 43 646-654 MHz
Alter do Chão 43 646-654 MHz
Alto de São Bento, Évora 30 542-550 MHz
Alto do Galeão 33 566-574 MHz
Alvaiázere 44 654-662 MHz
Alverca 35 582-590 MHz
Alvite, Moimenta da Beira 42 638-646 MHz
Alvôco das Várzeas 44 654-662 MHz
Amarante 36 590-598 MHz
Arcos de Valdevez 33 566-574 MHz
Arganil 44 654-662 MHz
Arouca 36 590-598 MHz
Arronches 43 646-654 MHz
Arruda dos Vinhos 35 582-590 MHz
Aveiro Centro 36 590-598 MHz
Avessadas 36 590-598 MHz
Avis 43 646-654 MHz
Azoia - Sintra 35 582-590 MHz
Baião 36 590-598 MHz
Barcarena 35 582-590 MHz
Barrancos 30 542-550 MHz
Barroca Grande 44 654-662 MHz
Barrosa 48 686-694 MHz
Batalha 35 582-590 MHz
Beja 30 542-550 MHz
Benfica, Lisboa 35 582-590 MHz
Bezerra 35 582-590 MHz
Boa Viagem 46 670-678 MHz
Boa Viagem 2 44 654-662 MHz
Bonfim 36 590-598 MHz
Borba 30 542-550 MHz
Bornes 46 670-678 MHz
Braga - Santa Marta 33 566-574 MHz
Braga Centro 33 566-574 MHz
Bragança 46 670-678 MHz
Bragança - São Bartolomeu 46 670-678 MHz
Bufão 43 646-654 MHz
Cabaços, Moimenta da Beira 48 686-694 MHz
Cacém 35 582-590 MHz
Caldas da Rainha 35 582-590 MHz
Caldas de Vizela 36 590-598 MHz
Camarinhas 47 678-686 MHz
Campo Maior 43 646-654 MHz
Candeeiros 35 582-590 MHz
Caparica 37 598-606 MHz
Caramulo 44 654-662 MHz
Carpinteira - Covilhã 34 574-582 MHz
Cascais 35 582-590 MHz
Castanheira de Pêra 44 654-662 MHz
Castelete - Pico 46 670-678 MHz
Castelo de Paiva 42 638-646 MHz
Castelo de Vide 43 646-654 MHz
Castro Verde 43 646-654 MHz
Ceira 44 654-662 MHz
Celorico de Basto 36 590-598 MHz
Cerdeira 33 566-574 MHz
Cerro da Águia 43 646-654 MHz
Cheleiros 35 582-590 MHz
Coimbra Centro 44 654-662 MHz
Coimbra Observatório 44 654-662 MHz
Coruche 35 582-590 MHz
Couço 35 582-590 MHz
Covas 33 566-574 MHz
Cruz de Pau 37 598-606 MHz
Elvas 43 646-654 MHz
Encumeada 47 678-686 MHz
Espalamaca - Faial 47 678-686 MHz
Espinhal 44 654-662 MHz
Estoril 35 582-590 MHz
Estremoz 43 646-654 MHz
Estremoz - Quinta da Esperança 43 646-654 MHz
Évora - Entrevinhas 30 542-550 MHz
Évora Centro 30 542-550 MHz
Faro 47 678-686 MHz
Fátima 35 582-590 MHz
Ferreira do Alentejo 30 542-550 MHz
Fóia 1 43 646-654 MHz
Fóia 2 28 526-534 MHz
Fornos de Algodres 41 630-638 MHz
Foz 36 590-598 MHz
Funchal, Madeira 47 678-686 MHz
Gaia 36 590-598 MHz
Gaia Centro 36 590-598 MHz
Gardunha 34 574-582 MHz
Gavião 43 646-654 MHz
Gerês 33 566-574 MHz
Graça 35 582-590 MHz
Grândola 37 598-606 MHz
Guarda 41 630-638 MHz
Guimarães Centro 33 566-574 MHz
Guimarães Penha 33 566-574 MHz
Janas 35 582-590 MHz
Junqueira 36 590-598 MHz
Lagos Centro 43 646-654 MHz
Lagos Norte 43 646-654 MHz
Lamego 36 590-598 MHz
Leça 36 590-598 MHz
Leiranco 33 566-574 MHz
Leiria 44 654-662 MHz
Lisboa - Castelo 35 582-590 MHz
Lisboa - Estrela 35 582-590 MHz
Lisboa - Restelo 35 582-590 MHz
Lisboa - Trindade 35 582-590 MHz
Lisboa - Xabregas 35 582-590 MHz
Logo de Deus - Coimbra 44 654-662 MHz
Loulé 47 678-686 MHz
Lourosa 36 590-598 MHz
Lousã 46 670-678 MHz
Lousa - Torre de Moncorvo 46 670-678 MHz
Mação 43 646-654 MHz
Machialinho 44 654-662 MHz
Malveira 35 582-590 MHz
Mangualde 36 590-598 MHz
Manteigas 41 630-638 MHz
Marofa 48 686-694 MHz
Marvão 43 646-654 MHz
Mealhada 44 654-662 MHz
Melides 37 598-606 MHz
Mendro 40 622-630 MHz
Mértola 47 678-686 MHz
Mira de Aire 35 582-590 MHz
Mirandela 46 670-678 MHz
Mogadouro 46 670-678 MHz
Moledo 33 566-574 MHz
Monchique 43 646-654 MHz
Monsanto, Lisboa 35 582-590 MHz
Montalegre 33 566-574 MHz
Monte da Virgem, Porto 42 638-646 MHz
Monte do Facho 44 654-662 MHz
Monte Franqueira, Barcelos 36 590-598 MHz
Monte Gois 33 566-574 MHz
Montedor 33 566-574 MHz
Montejunto 48 686-694 MHz
Montemor-o-Novo 30 542-550 MHz
Mora 30 542-550 MHz
Mortágua 44 654-662 MHz
Mosteiro 41 630-638 MHz
Moura 30 542-550 MHz
Nazaré Centro 35 582-590 MHz
Nisa 43 646-654 MHz
Óbidos 35 582-590 MHz
Odemira 43 646-654 MHz
Odivelas 35 582-590 MHz
Odivelas Centro 35 582-590 MHz
Oleiros 34 574-582 MHz
Olivais 35 582-590 MHz
Ourém 35 582-590 MHz
Ourique 43 646-654 MHz
Padrela 46 670-678 MHz
Palmeira de Faro 36 590-598 MHz
Palmela 45 662-670 MHz
Palmela 37 598-606 MHz
Pampilhosa da Serra 44 654-662 MHz
Paredes de Coura 33 566-574 MHz
Pedra do Vento 41 630-638 MHz
Pedra Mole 47 678-686 MHz
Penacova 44 654-662 MHz
Penafiel 36 590-598 MHz
Penamacor 34 574-582 MHz
Penedo da Saudade, Coimbra 44 654-662 MHz
Penedo Gordo 43 646-654 MHz
Peniche 35 582-590 MHz
Penouta 33 566-574 MHz
Pico Alto, Açores 46 670-678 MHz
Pico Arco da Calheta - Madeira 47 678-686 MHz
Pico Arco de São Jorge - Madeira 47 678-686 MHz
Pico Bartolomeu 44 654-662 MHz
Pico da Cruz - Madeira 47 678-686 MHz
Pico do Facho - Madeira 47 678-686 MHz
Pico do Galo, Madeira 47 678-686 MHz
Pico do Silva (Madeira) 47 678-686 MHz
Pico Geraldo, Pico 48 686-694 MHz
Pico Jardim - Açores 46 670-678 MHz
Pico Verde 48 686-694 MHz
Picota 47 678-686 MHz
Piódão 44 654-662 MHz
Pirocão 46 670-678 MHz
Podame 33 566-574 MHz
Pombal 44 654-662 MHz
Ponta Delgada, Madeira 47 678-686 MHz
Ponte de Lima 33 566-574 MHz
Portalegre 43 646-654 MHz
Porto - Av. Brasil 36 590-598 MHz
Porto - Fernão Lopes 36 590-598 MHz
Porto - Pedro Escobar 36 590-598 MHz
Porto de Mós 35 582-590 MHz
Porto Santo (Madeira) 46 670-678 MHz
Póvoa de Lanhoso 33 566-574 MHz
Póvoa Santo Adrião 35 582-590 MHz
Redondo 30 542-550 MHz
Reguengos de Monsaraz 30 542-550 MHz
Reitoria - Covilhã 34 574-582 MHz
Resende 36 590-598 MHz
Ribeira de Pena 33 566-574 MHz
Ribeira Grande 44 654-662 MHz
Rio Arda 36 590-598 MHz
Rio Maior 35 582-590 MHz
Santa Bárbara (Açores) 45 662-670 MHz
Santa Luzia 47 678-686 MHz
Santa Marta de Penaguião 36 590-598 MHz
Santarém 35 582-590 MHz
Santiago do Cacém 37 598-606 MHz
Santo Tirso 36 590-598 MHz
São Bernardo 36 590-598 MHz
São Domingos 36 590-598 MHz
São João de Ver, Santa Maria da Feira 42 638-646 MHz
São Mamede 47 678-686 MHz
São Miguel, Faro 47 678-686 MHz
Sapiãos, Boticas 33 566-574 MHz
Sátão 36 590-598 MHz
Seixo Alvo 36 590-598 MHz
Serpa 30 542-550 MHz
Serra do Alvão 36 590-598 MHz
Serra do Cume 46 670-678 MHz
Sertã 44 654-662 MHz
Sesimbra 37 598-606 MHz
Silves 43 646-654 MHz
Silves Centro 43 646-654 MHz
Sines 43 646-654 MHz
Sintra 35 582-590 MHz
Sítio da Nazaré 35 582-590 MHz
Sousel 43 646-654 MHz
Surrinha 41 630-638 MHz
Tavira 47 678-686 MHz
Termas Monfortinho 34 574-582 MHz
Terras de Bouro 33 566-574 MHz
Tocha 44 654-662 MHz
Tomar 35 582-590 MHz
Torres Vedras 35 582-590 MHz
Trancão - Torres Novas 35 582-590 MHz
Trancoso 41 630-638 MHz
Vale de Cambra 36 590-598 MHz
Vale de Mira 46 670-678 MHz
Valença 33 566-574 MHz
Valongo 36 590-598 MHz
Velas 44 654-662 MHz
Viana do Castelo 33 566-574 MHz
Vieira do Minho 33 566-574 MHz
Vila da Ponte, Sernancelhe 48 686-694 MHz
Vila de Rei 44 654-662 MHz
Vila Franca de Xira 35 582-590 MHz
Vila Franca de Xira - Montegordo 35 582-590 MHz
Vila Nova de São Bento 30 542-550 MHz
Vila Praia de Âncora 33 566-574 MHz
Vila Viçosa 30 542-550 MHz
Vilar Formoso 41 630-638 MHz
Vinhais 46 670-678 MHz
Viseu Centro 36 590-598 MHz
Viseu Sul 36 590-598 MHz
Volta da Pedra, Palmela 37 598-606 MHz
Vouzela 36 590-598 MHz

Channels

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LCN Channel Resolution Owner
1 RTP1 SD (720x576i) RTP
2 RTP2 SD (720x576i) RTP
3 SIC SD (720x576i) Impresa
4 TVI SD (720x576i) Media Capital
5 ARtv SD (720x576i) Assembly of the Republic
6 RTP3 SD (720x576i) RTP
7 RTP Memória SD (720x576i) RTP

References

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  1. ^ "A TDT, em Portugal, disponibiliza de forma gratuita os canais generalistas nacionais RTP 1, RTP 2, SIC, TVI, RTP Açores e RTP Madeira (nas respectivas Regiões Autónomas). Um dos canais poderá ser emitido simultaneamente em Alta Definição", http://tdt.telecom.pt/o_que_e/Default.aspx?code=XzX622 Archived 2016-12-02 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Canal Parlamento estreia hoje em sinal aberto" (in Portuguese). TeK Sapo. Archived from the original on 2013-01-06. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  3. ^ ANACOM (2012-03-08). "DTT switch-off". anacom.pt. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  4. ^ ANACOM. "FAQ: Do I need to change my television set to receive DTT?".
  5. ^ Introdução em Portugal da Televisão Digital Terrestre (DVB-T)
  6. ^ Ferro Rodrigues marca data de início de concurso para DVB-T
  7. ^ Consórcio PTDP ganha licença de Televisão Digital Terrestre
  8. ^ Ministro da Economia aprova adiamento da Televisão Digital Terrestre para Fevereiro de 2003
  9. ^ Anacom propõe revogação da licença de Televisão Digital Terrestre da PTDP
  10. ^ Brito, Ana (April 25, 2008). "PT e suecos da AirPlus TV disputam canais pagos da televisão digital terrestre". Público (in European Portuguese).
  11. ^ "PT concorre sozinha à TDT e compra rede analógica à dona da TVI" (in Portuguese). Jornal de Notícias. Archived from the original on 2010-06-01.
  12. ^ "PT revoga licença para TDT e recupera caução" (in Portuguese). TeK Sapo.
  13. ^ Económico. "Quem ganha e perde com o novo canal de TV" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  14. ^ "Canal Parlamento estreia hoje em sinal aberto". SAPO Tek. SAPO. 3 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Portuguese broadcasters question future of DTT". 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  16. ^ "Meo secures DTT licence extension". 6 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Emissores | TDT". tdt.telecom.pt. Retrieved 26 June 2024.