Broadcasting of Yle’s standard-definition channels in terrestrial and cable TV networks to end on April 1, 2025 early in the morning

Published: 24.3.2025

The long-planned transition to HD will be realized when Yle starts broadcasting only in high-definition from April 1, 2025, with other Finnish TV channels following suit on June 30, 2025. Yle’s standard-definition channels will technically be removed from Digita’s terrestrial TV network and the networks of cable operators at 2.01 am on April 1, 2025.

The change will affect citizens who watch TV via the terrestrial or cable network. The transition is based on joint long-term planning by the entire TV industry and Traficom.

TV programming has been broadcast in both standard and high definition for a long time, but now the standard-definition broadcasts will be phased out completely as per the following timetable:

  • Yle’s SD broadcasting will end on April 1, 2025
  • SD broadcasting of other channels will end on June 30, 2025

An estimated 100,000 households (including 80,000 terrestrial television households) do not yet have an HD-capable TV set (source: Traficom 2/2025). Without updated devices, Yle’s TV broadcasts will not be available to these households as of April 1.

In terrestrial television households, consider the following:

Before March 31, 2025

  • Make sure that your TV receivers are up to date, allowing you to receive HD broadcasting. If your household can already watch channels with HD in the channel name in the program guide or channel list, the receiver is HD-capable. If you live in an apartment building and are not sure if your TV is on a terrestrial television network, contact your building manager.
  • If you cannot see HD channels even after performing a channel search on your receiver and your antenna system is up to date, you will probably have to get a new, HD-capable TV. In this case, please make sure that the receiver of your new device has a DVB-T2 tuner which is need for antenna-tv-network. Most new TVs sold in Finland have this tuner. You can check model-specific information at testatutlaitteet.fi or with the retailer.
  • If you live in a single-family home and own a modern, functioning UHF antenna and have not had any problems with your TV reception, there is probably no need to change your antenna. However, it is important to remember that antenna systems, just like any other home systems, require maintenance. If you cannot see HD channels even after performing a channel search on the receiver and your antenna system is up to date, you will probably have to get a new, HD-capable TV.

 

From April 1, 2025

  • If you cannot see Yle’s TV channels as of April 1, 2025, you should perform a channel search on the receiver. Most receivers will search for channels automatically. Some receivers may require a factory reset before performing a channel search. For instructions on the channel search, refer to the device’s user guide or digita.fi.
  • Also check that the TV is up to date at vacation homes and summer cabins.

Digita’s consumer help desk, Digita Info, will be able to help you with issues relating to terrestrial TV reception. We have extended the opening hours of the help desk around the transition as follows:

Mon–Fri March 31–April 4 from 8 am to 8 pm

Sat–Sun April 5–6 from 10 am to 3 pm

Digita Info is available by phone at +358 20 411 7676 or by email at info@digita.fi. Calls to Digita Info are charged at the standard network rate. Calls from cell phones may cost slightly more. There is also a charge for waiting to be connected.

For more information on the transition, please visit hdtvopas.fi.

Digita/Communications