Spain's new nationwide digital terrestrial television channel La Séptima will begin broadcasting on November 5, 2026, operating entirely from a single studio in San Sebastián de los Reyes outside Madrid.
Media executive José Miguel Contreras is managing the station's executive operations, while Javier Ruiz serves as channel director. The network will officially present its programming lineup during the second week of September at the FesTVal 2026 television festival.
Television news outlet YOTELE reported that all of La Séptima's broadcasts will center around a single studio located adjacent to major broadcasting group Atresmedia. Architects designing the facility told YOTELE that the flexible space will feature mobile, adaptable elements to create a novel aesthetic and narrative environment for different programs.
Live news focus and programming strategy
In an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, Contreras outlined the network's strategy, stating that La Séptima aims to become a primary reference point for current affairs coverage in Spain.
Contreras explained that the station will depart from traditional generalist television models by focusing exclusively on live news reporting, analysis, and conversation. The channel will not air fiction series, feature films, or large entertainment formats.
The network's debut follows the Spanish government's award of a new national digital terrestrial television licence to parent firm SIETE, officially registered as Servicios Integrados de Entretenimiento Televisivo. The licence grants an initial 15-year broadcasting tenure that can be renewed. Contreras previously co-founded laSexta, one of Spain's major private nationwide networks.
Social media campaign and launch principles
Ahead of its television debut, La Séptima launched a promotional campaign on social media platform X under a slogan highlighting seven reasons why the project is serious. The drive outlined seven core commitments guiding the new station.
The broadcaster pledged to deliver a future-oriented generalist television service with live broadcasting as its core identity and current affairs as its central focus. It also committed to distributing content across multiple digital platforms, maintaining transparency in news reporting, encouraging viewer interaction, and providing a shared meeting space for citizens.
The online campaign concluded with a promotional teaser asking prospective viewers whether they would meet at home at seven.
Financial roadmap and audience targets
Parent company Siete plans to invest between 20 million and 25 million euros during its first three years of operation. More than half of that expenditure will be allocated in the first year to build a competitive infrastructure in Spain's consolidated broadcast market.
The company's financial model forecasts annual revenues reaching nearly 40 million euros by the end of 2029, with overall business profitability targeted for around 2030.
Project organizers estimated that securing an audience share of 1.5 percent to 2 percent will be sufficient to achieve financial viability. Contreras added that the station has room to reach an audience share close to 3 percent in a relatively short timeframe, enabling solid competition in free-to-air television.
