- Astra TV provides DTT in HD and UHD via Astra satellite at 19,2°E with full coverage and without relying on the Internet.
- The first year is free, then €72 per year thereafter, with basic installation subsidized up to €145.
- Includes the main national, regional and international channels, an EPG guide and a dedicated CAM CI+.
If you live in the countryside, in a mountainous area, or in that town where digital terrestrial television (DTT) comes and goes, you'll know how frustrating it is to watch TV with constant interruptions and pixelation; that's precisely where Astra HD+ —now commercially known as Astra TV— comes in , a service that delivers the main channels via satellite so you can forget about terrestrial coverage and relying on the internet.
The idea is simple but powerful: receive your usual TV via satellite from the Astra 19,2º East position , with coverage reaching the Peninsula, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, and with a catalog that replicates DTT in high definition and even adds some international channels; the hook is clear, the first year of service is free and, after that period, the annual fee is 72 euros.
What exactly is Astra HD+ or Astra TV?
We are talking about a satellite television service operated by SES Astra whose objective is to guarantee a stable signal where DTT does not reach well; after a testing period of about three months, its broadcasts have started with authorization from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business, with references to an official start around September 29.
More than just a new pay-TV platform, it's positioned as a real alternative to terrestrial digital terrestrial television for watching generalist, thematic, and children's channels, and also includes regional and international channels; the experience aims to be as similar as possible to traditional TV, with an EPG guide, familiar channel order, and HD and even UHD signal in some cases.
An important detail is the name: in the press and initial documentation it was referred to as Astra HD+; with the commercial rollout, the service is referred to as Astra TV , but the proposition is the same, focused on total coverage and ease of use; in other words, it is the way to have the usual DTT without the limitations of terrestrial repeaters.
The target audience is broad: homes in rural areas or in the so-called " emptied Spain ," second homes, hotels, campsites or caravans that need a robust and stable signal; and of course, users who prefer reliable reception over options that depend on the Internet, since watching Astra TV does not require a connection.
How it works and what you need to see it
The reception is the same as always with satellite: a parabolic antenna pointed at 19,2º East , an LNB at the focus and equipment to decode the signal; that equipment can be a receiver compatible with DVB-S2 and HD or, if your TV has a CI+ slot, the official Astra TV CAM module to authorize access.
If you're starting from scratch, the process is quick: you choose whether to install it yourself or hire a technician; with a satellite location app you can point the antenna at Astra 19,2ºE and get a signal, although if you don't want to complicate things, the ideal thing is to request an authorized installer who calibrates with a field meter and leaves the satellite dish perfectly aligned.
In terms of compatibility, it's crucial to understand that not all TVs with a CI+ slot recognize the Astra TV CAM; it depends on the model and firmware. If your TV doesn't support the CAM or doesn't have a DVB-S2 satellite tuner, the practical solution is to use a CI+ compatible satellite receiver and connect via HDMI without any hassle.
As a reference for antenna size, 60 cm is recommended in the Peninsula for comfortable reception and up to 80–90 cm in the Canary Islands or complicated areas; the better sized the parabolic dish, the more margin you will have when the wind blows or it rains heavily, something that makes all the difference in satellite.
Technically, Astra TV operates at the 19,2º East orbital position of Astra with carriers identified in tests at 11009 MHz V and 11407 MHz V; the transponders use DVB-S2 with 8PSK modulation, SR 23500 and FEC 3/4, with content in MPEG-4 H.264; for UHD, approximate bitrates of around 17 Mbps are handled , and for HD between 6 and 8 Mbps.
Channels: national, regional and the first UHD
The main package includes the base of generalist and thematic channels that we all know; among the national ones mentioned are La 1 UHD, La 2, Antena 3, Cuatro, Telecinco and laSexta , in addition to 24h, Clan, Teledeporte, Boing, FDF, Neox, Nova, Mega, Atreseries, Energy, Divinity, Be Mad, TRECE and Real Madrid TV; the presence of La 1 in UHD is one of the great attractions.
On the regional front, for now Canal Sur Andalucía and Aragón TV Internacional appear , with channels reserved for more regions to join; it has been observed that channel 7 remains free pending the new channel in the competition and that channel 12 could host DMAX, Ten, Paramount Network or VEO7 , depending on how the offer evolves.
During the preliminary reports, a set of 26 free-to-air HD channels was also listed, including, in addition to those already mentioned, references such as Disney Channel, TEN, DMAX, GolPlay and even a curious Squirrel; this lineup may vary, but it gives an idea of the ambition to replicate the entire DTT in high definition.
SES, for its part, has announced an initial offering of 21 HD channels and 1 UHD channel in Spain, with expansions planned for both national and regional channels in HD and UHD; the path, therefore, points to growth, and it would not be surprising to soon see more Ultra High Definition channels such as La 2, Antena 3 or Telecinco.
Navigation is integrated into your TV or receiver: Astra TV does not offer its own interface ; you will use the EPG, menus, channel surfing and favorites lists of the equipment you have, with electronic guide, several languages and subtitles when the channels provide it; thus, the experience is very similar to conventional DTT, only it arrives by satellite.
Free-to-air international channels
In addition to the Spanish offering, international channels are included, designed for news, culture or entertainment; these include BBC News, CNN International, Deutsche Welle, TV5 Monde, France 24 and TVMonaco, very useful for following global news with a stable signal.
Also included are European and German public channels such as ZDF Info, ZDF Vision, 3sat, KiKA and TVM, as well as the Japanese NHK World Japan, TRT World from Turkey, Al Jazeera and CGTN in its international, documentary and French variants; in the Hispanic block there are Cubavisión Internacional and Telesur in HD.
In certain previous listings, more channels have been seen such as Arirang TV, Daystar Español, Euronews German, QVC UHD , as well as less common titles such as Die Neue Zeit TV, Sender Neu Jerusalem, Sachsen Eins or Anewz; as with any platform in the deployment phase, the composition of the package may change due to broadcasting agreements.
What's interesting here is that, in addition to replicating DTT, Astra TV takes advantage of the long-standing strength of 19,2ºE in free-to-air international channels ; if you like to tinker, you can always tune in to more FTA channels on the satellite, although Astra TV's CAM access focuses on its certified lineup.
Price, subscription and current promotions
Astra TV's model is an ultra-light subscription: the first year is free so you can try the platform without pressure, and from then on, it costs 72 euros per year; the lack of commitment and the affordable cost make it a practical solution compared to other more expensive alternatives or those that require internet access.
To facilitate getting started, there is a basic installation promotion with a cost covered up to 145 euros including VAT, which includes a satellite dish and five meters of cable; this promotion is limited, subject to availability and with a validity notification until December 31, 2025 or until units run out.
You can start the sign-up process from the official Astra TV website: you fill out a form, and if there are partner installers in your province, a technician will contact you to assess whether you need an individual antenna or to adapt a collective installation; during the visit, they will give you the CAM CI+ card and after receiving an email, you activate the subscription and add a payment method (the first year is free).
If you already have a working satellite dish and want to go it alone, you can buy the CAM from authorized distributors and activate it without needing a technician; some stores offer packs with an advanced decoder compatible with CI+ for those who don't have a TV with DVB-S2 or have models with limited compatibility with the Astra TV CAM.
There has been talk that, in addition to the free-to-air block, the platform could evolve towards a mixed format with additional paid packages, as well as offering 4K UHD channels or the integration of TV from operators (Movistar or others) through packages; for now, the key thing is that the base of DTT in HD is included.
Coverage and who is interested
Satellite coverage is the key differentiator: from 19,2ºE, Astra's footprint covers the entire Spanish territory , including islands, Ceuta and Melilla; this eliminates the shadows and signal reflections that DTT suffers in valleys, mountains or environments with complicated terrain.
For rural Spain it's a textbook solution: you don't need fiber or ADSL and stability isn't at the mercy of whether the terrestrial repeater is saturated or far away; in second homes, caravans or boats in port, having a well-oriented satellite dish is synonymous with uninterrupted TV.
This proposal also comes at a time when RTVE and FORTA have promoted DVB-I pilot projects to deliver DTT over the Internet and solve coverage problems; however, the reality is that there are homes where connectivity is not available or is not stable, which is why satellite remains the most robust option.
If you're also interested in image quality , the satellite offers consistent bitrates and fewer artifacts in complex scenes; with the expansion of UHD, Astra TV opens the door to 4K broadcasts that on terrestrial television depend on spectrum reorganizations and a rollout that doesn't always progress at the same pace.
Practical installation and activation guide
To make it easy for you, here's a guide on how to get started, worthy of a desktop manual, with the essentials so you can see the dials the first time and without complicating your life; if you get stuck on something, remember that an installer can get it done for you in just one visit.
- Place a satellite dish suitable for your area: 60 cm in the Peninsula, 80–90 cm in the Canary Islands or in areas with weak signals.
- Install the LNB in the spotlight and wire it up to the TV or receiver with quality coaxial cable and well-crimped connectors.
- Point the antenna to the Astra satellite 19,2° East Using an app or, better yet, a field meter, adjust elevation, azimuth, and skew.
- Choose reception equipment: TV with DVB-S2 and CI+ slot or a CI+ compatible satellite receiver; without this there is no signal.
- Insert the Astra TV CAM into the CI+ slot on your TV or receiver; wait for it to recognize it and do not turn off the power during detection.
- Access the website of Astra TV To register and activate CAM, add a payment method for subsequent years; the first one is free.
- Do a DVB-S2 channel search; sort channels if you wish and activate EPG, subtitles and languages from your computer.
FAQs and Compatibility
Many people ask if internet is needed to use Astra TV; the answer is no, you don't need it ; the signal comes in via satellite and viewing depends solely on the orientation of the dish and the compatibility of the equipment.
Will any TV with a CI+ slot work? In theory, yes, but in practice, not all models are compatible with Astra TV's CAM due to firmware issues or standard implementation. If you run into this problem, the definitive solution is to use a CI+ receiver.
Is there a platform-style interface? The philosophy here is minimalist: Astra TV doesn't offer its own menus ; you'll manage everything with your TV or set-top box interface, including its EPG guide, lists, and settings; fewer layers, fewer problems, and faster channel surfing.
Can the offering be expanded? There's always more to satellite; in addition to the Astra TV lineup, there are many FTA channels on 19,2ºE that you can tune into yourself; and if the platform activates premium or more UHD packages, all you need is for your equipment and your CAM to be up to date.
Technical details for the most curious
In terms of emission parameters, the main carriers observed in tests were 11009 MHz V and 11407 MHz V , with Symbol Rate 23500, FEC 3/4 and DVB-S2 8PSK modulation; the video compression is MPEG-4 H.264 and the conditional access system used is Nagravision.
Regarding quality, the national distribution of DTT comes in HD 1080i or 1080p with approximate bitrates of 6–8 Mbps, while the UHD channel is around 17 Mbps; these values, together with a well-adjusted reception, result in remarkable sharpness even in sports or action-packed movies.
If you're interested in entry-level hardware, the official module is based on a PC Card Type II SmarCAM 5.0 without a physical smart card; it features a CAP210 chipset, 64 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash memory, with support for SD, HD and UHD, CI+ 1.4 with ECP and software updates via PCMCIA or DVB-SSU.
The decoding is a single-service (without simultaneous multi-programming), with age rating management and menus in Spanish or English; beyond the acronyms, the important thing is that you insert the CAM, activate the service and watch TV without any mystery, which is ultimately what one wants in everyday life.
In case you're wondering, the channel lineup proposed by Astra TV is very similar to that of DTT, with national, regional, and international blocks; some channels have been reserved for future changes in the DTT landscape, and it is expected that, as space becomes available, the platform will incorporate more HD and UHD channels.
It is clear that satellite is once again taking center stage as a robust distribution network in Spain; with total coverage, the first year free, subsidized installation up to a certain amount, and full HD DTT, Astra TV becomes a very serious alternative for those who are fed up with pixelation or depending on an unstable connection.