Slovak television viewers who rely on a traditional rooftop or portable antenna face a mandatory technical overhaul as public broadcaster STVR transitions its broadcasting network to the modern DVB-T2 standard. According to reports from regional media, the nationwide migration of the third television multiplex is scheduled to conclude by the end of September 2026, with the official transition date set for Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
The transition impacts all households watching public television channels via terrestrial transmission. Network operators and broadcasting authorities have outlined the technical steps required to maintain uninterrupted access to news, sports, and cultural programming across the country.
The Technical Shift to DVB-T2
The upcoming transition affects the third multiplex—commonly referred to as the public service multiplex—which has remained the last nationwide network operating on the older DVB-T standard. According to data published by techbyte.sk, the upgrade will expand the network’s data capacity from approximately 19.9 Mbps to 33.4 Mbps. This expanded bandwidth allows the transmission of all key public service channels in high definition.
The four primary STVR services affected by the shift are Jednotka, Dvojka, :24, and the dedicated sports network Šport. While these channels will continue to broadcast in HD, the network will utilize the MPEG-4 compression standard rather than the more advanced HEVC format, according to industry reporting. Meanwhile, duplicate broadcasts of the Šport and :24 channels on the first multiplex will terminate on October 1, allowing the operator to free up frequencies for other programming.
What Viewers Need to Check
Households relying on terrestrial antennas must ensure their television sets or set-top boxes are compatible with DVB-T2 technology. According to technical guidance reported by medialne.trend.sk, viewers do not need to replace their existing rooftop or indoor antennas. However, older receivers lacking DVB-T2 hardware will fail to tune into STVR stations once the switch is completed.
Broadcasters have provided a straightforward method for testing device compatibility. Viewers can check whether their equipment can tune into specific test channels such as STVR Šport HEVC or TV Lux via their antenna. If the television successfully displays these services, the hardware supports DVB-T2. If not, viewers will need to acquire a compatible set-top box or a new television before the September deadline.
Statements from Industry Leadership
Network operator Towercom emphasized that the transition marks a critical milestone in modernizing the country’s terrestrial broadcast infrastructure. Marcel Šatánek, general manager of Towercom, stated that moving the third multiplex to DVB-T2 successfully concludes a major phase of technological upgrades, creating capacity for improved picture quality and future platform expansion.
STVR general manager Martina Flašíková underscored the importance of maintaining free public access during the digital upgrade. According to Flašíková, digital terrestrial broadcasting remains a vital pillar for ensuring that public service programs stay freely accessible to every household in Slovakia, regardless of their preferred viewing method.
Next Steps for Affected Households
The migration will take place across all transmitter sites during the course of the day on September 22, 2026. Following the switch, viewers who experience missing channels should initiate an automatic or manual rescan on their television or set-top box. Detailed frequency lists and transmitter schedules are available through official channels on cezantenu.sk, while technical support can be reached via Towercom’s dedicated customer call center.
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