CNMC reviews Spain DTT market power as terrestrial viewing hits 71%

The regulator's scrutiny highlights the enduring resilience of terrestrial infrastructure in European markets where linear TV still commands the majority of audience attention. While streaming adoption is rising, the 71% linear share for DTT ensures that infrastructure providers like Cellnex remain gatekeepers for public interest content and advertising reach. This market stability complicates the entry of alternative operators who remain dependent on existing co-location and interconnection services. As Spain moves toward DVB-T2 and Ultra-HD, the outcome of this consultation will determine if Cellnex can trade strict accounting oversight for long-term price commitments. Watch for the CNMC's final decision on whether to accept Cellnex's proposed voluntary commitments over existing regulatory mandates.

Cellnex Telecom remains the dominant terrestrial broadcast infrastructure provider in Spain, operating the transmission network that carries DTT signals to the vast majority of Spanish households. The company's position has drawn regulatory attention as Spain prepares its transition from DVB-T to DVB-T2 and Ultra-HD standards, a migration that will require significant infrastructure investment across the country's broadcast tower network. Cellnex reported in its 2025 annual results that its Spanish broadcast division generated stable recurring revenue from long-term contracts with public and private broadcasters, underscoring the structural lock-in that concerns CNMC. The regulator's market power review will determine whether Cellnex's control over transmission sites constitutes a bottleneck that prevents alternative operators from competing on price or service quality.

The DVB-T2 transition timeline in Spain is tied to broader European spectrum policy. The European Commission's Radio Spectrum Policy Programme has encouraged member states to complete the shift to more spectrally efficient broadcast standards, freeing the 700 MHz band for mobile broadband. Spain's previous digital switchover from analog to DVB-T was completed in 2010, and the Spanish government published a royal decree in 2024 establishing the technical framework for the DVB-T2 migration, including Ultra-HD capability requirements for public broadcasters. RTVE, Spain's public broadcaster, has been testing Ultra-HD transmissions via DTT since 2023, using HEVC encoding for 4K content delivery over terrestrial networks. The CNMC review will likely assess whether Cellnex can be required to offer transparent, non-discriminatory access to its tower infrastructure during this transition period.

Cellnex's market position extends beyond Spain. The company operates over 130,000 sites across Europe and is the largest independent tower operator on the continent. Cellnex completed its acquisition of CK Hutchison's tower assets in 2021, adding approximately 24,600 sites across six European markets, consolidating its position as the primary broadcast and mobile infrastructure provider in multiple countries. In Spain specifically, Cellnex manages the transmission infrastructure for both public (RTVE) and private broadcasters (Atresmedia, Mediaset España), giving it near-total control over DTT signal distribution. The CNMC's consultation will examine whether voluntary commitments proposed by Cellnex, such as price caps or accounting separation, are sufficient to address competition concerns, or whether stricter regulatory obligations should be maintained through the DVB-T2 transition.