radio, tv & telephone
Perhaps one of the first things that newcomers to Spain ask about is information
on radion, televison and telephones especially satellite tv reception. The
articles on this page will hopefully provide some answers to the most pressing
question and provide links where further information can be found.
radio
The table below shows the main FM radio stations on the Costa Azahar.
Freq |
Station |
Freq |
Station |
87.5 |
Radio Única (Castellón) | 98.2 |
Radio Nueva-Onda Cero (Vin) |
87.7 |
Radio Escavia (Segorbe) | 99.2 |
Onda Cero Vila-Real |
88.7 |
Onda Cero Castellón | 99.5 |
Radio Intereconomía |
89.0 |
Radio Els Ports SER | 100.8 |
Europa FM Castellón |
89.3 |
RNEI Castellón | 101.6 |
COPE Maestrat (Vinaros) |
90.3 |
Radio Clásica RNE | 101.6 |
COPE FM Castellón |
91.2 |
Radio Castellón 2 | 102.7 |
Sí Rádio Castellón |
91.7 |
Cadena 100 Castellón | 103.7 |
Radio 9 Castellón |
92.2 |
Radio Vila-Real | 104.6 |
Kiss FM Castellón |
92.8 |
RNE3 Castellón | 105.1 |
Flaix FM Castellón |
94.8 |
40 Principales Castellón | 105.4 |
Radio 9 Maestrat (Benicarló) |
95.0 |
Radio Ulldecona | 105.5 |
Radio Marca (Castellón) |
95.5 |
Radio 5 Todo Noticias | 105.8 |
M80 Radio Castellón |
95.9 |
Radio Teletaxi Castellón | 106.2 |
SER Maestrat (Benicarló) |
96.2 |
Radio SER Vall D'Uxio | 106.4 |
Radio Espiral FM Castellón |
97.1 |
Cadena Dial Castellón | 106.7 |
Catalunya Radio |
television reception
Spanish television broadcasts use the PAL B/G system which is slightly different to the PAL-D system used in the UK. This means that a television receiver purchased in the UK may not work satisfactorily here in Spain. Some models such as Philips and Sony will work on all European standards.
However a satellite receiver, DVD player or VHS tape player connected to the televison through Scart leads will operate perfectly.
satellite television
The are thousands of television channels readily accesible using satellite systems. A typical satellite system consists of a dish fitted with a LNB and a satellite receiver. The LNB (Low Noise Block) is an active aerial and includes a small amount of electronics to process and amplify the received signals).
Although many people use Sky Digiboxes and Viewing Cards we feel morally
obliged to publish this extract of Sky's Terms & Conditions
(d) The Viewing Card must not be used outside the United
Kingdom or Republic of Ireland.
......more will follow here on installing satellite
national television networks
Although most ex-pats will opt for a satellite television to receive english language programs for those living in Spain permantly it is well worth while watching the local television programs as this nor only provides information on what is going on in Spain but will also help one to learn and understand the language.
Antena 3
Antena 3 regularly attracts around 20 percent of the TV audience and first
went on air in January 1990 and is now mainly owned by Telefónica.
Its output consists of fairly conservative programming such as game shows
and ‘home-made soaps’ aimed at a family audience.
Canal +
Iis modelled on the French station of the same name (although they have
no connection) and much of its output (particularly evening films) is scrambled.
Many films are fairly recent and are often screened with the original soundtrack
and Spanish subtitles. It also shows National Geographic documentaries and
live sports events, including Spanish first division and English Premiership
soccer matches. It offers decoders to subscribers for a refundable deposit
of around EUR 100 (special offers usually include this for free), a connection
fee of EUR 30.02, plus a monthly subscription of EUR 24.97.
Tele Cinco
This claims to be Spain’s entertainment channel and broadcasts popular
children’s programmes, highly popular ‘home-made’ soaps,
blockbuster films and political satire. Tele 5 is the most independent of
central government control among the Spanish channels and its news broadcasts
are the least politically biased.
TVE 1 & TVE La 2
These are both government controlled and consequently, news and current
affairs programmes can be heavily biased in favour of the party in power.
Despite increased competition, TVE remains Spain’s largest and most
popular TV network with its two channels, La Primera and La2, claiming around
30 percent of viewers. La Primera places emphasis on light entertainment
such as game and chat shows, music shows, comedy, soap operas, children’s
shows, news and films, while La2 puts more emphasis on sports, live cultural
broadcasts, regional shows, serials, documentaries and films. Not surprisingly,
La Primera attracts around triple the audience of La2. Both TVE channels
broadcast 24 hours a day.
regional television networks
There are regional channels broadcasting in the local language in the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia, and others in Andalusia (two channels), Madrid and Valencia. Most are controlled and sponsored by regional governments and serve as supplements to the national network (and most are deep in debt). Some municipalities also have their own local TV stations, which often serve as little more than a platform for the ruling political party in the townn
Barcelona Television
Callela TV
Canal 9 Televisió Valenciana Regional broadcaster.
Canal Sur (Radio Television de Andalucia)
ETB1 Broadcasting in Basque.
ETB2 Broadcasting in Spanish.
Tele Madrid Broadasting in Madrid area.
TVG - Television de Galicia
Broadcasting in Gallego.
TVC Canal 3 - Television de Catalunya Broadcasting in Catalan.
TVC Canal 33 Broadcasting in Catalan.
telephone
Generally speaking the Spanish telephone system provided by Telefonica is very good and continually improving. As in the UK with BT being the main provider new companies are also coming into the market offering similar services often with lower tariffs.
When you move to Spain you will probably require a land-line to be installed by Telefonica. Currently connection times in urban areas are very good, you can expect to be installed within two or three days, but be prepared for a very long wait if you are in a rural area. Broad band and ISDN internet connections are also available in most of the popular coastal towns inland however, these services may not always be possible.
The government ended the Telefonica monopoly in 1998 and there are now six companies supplying telephone services. Telefonica have many English speaking staff and you can usually get adequate assistance by dialing 1004.
