# 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. By June 2010 TDT coverage reached 83% of the population and was expected to reach 100% by the end of 2010. The analog to digital conversion finished on 26 April 2012. The four existing analog FTA channels simulcasted in DVB-T, MPEG-4/H.264 (digital), and PAL (analog).

## History

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.
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. On August 20, the PTDP consortium won the license.
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. After the delay, ANACOM suggested the dismantling of the PTDP consortium.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
In June 2016, the government allowed four new television channels: two existing RTP channels (RTP3 and RTP Memória) under the condition that these wouldn't carry commercial advertising on terrestrial, while two private channels were open to a bidding round from the private sector.
In 2023, Media Capital CEO Pedro Morais Leitão said that the company was considering pulling out of DTT broadcasting. In November 2023, ANACOM extended the DTT license by 7 years upon MEO request. This license is valid until 10 December 2030.

## Transmitters

There are in total 262 DTT transmitters available in Portugal.
| 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

| 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 |