Idan+

Idan+ is the brand used for Israel's digital terrestrial television service, providing a free-to-air alternative to subscription television platforms such as HOT and yes. The service is operated by the Second Authority for Television and Radio and distributes selected Israeli television channels through terrestrial transmitters rather than through a cable, satellite, or internet subscription. Its name is derived from the initials of a Hebrew phrase translated as “Accessible Digital Israeli Channels.” The Israeli government began developing a digital terrestrial television system in 2004. The project was intended to modernize terrestrial broadcasting, preserve free access to essential television services, and create an alternative to the country's established pay-TV operators. The Second Authority formally launched the service on 2 August 2009. At launch, viewers could receive Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 10, Channel 33, and the Knesset Channel. The early period also functioned as a testing stage during which the authorities evaluated signal coverage and technical performance. As Israel transitioned away from analogue television, policymakers considered expanding the platform substantially. Plans discussed in 2011 envisaged as many as eighteen television and radio services, including high-definition programming and channels aimed at particular linguistic or cultural communities. The regulatory approach evolved during this period: proposed thematic services that might initially have been offered through a subscription package were instead expected to remain free to air if they were introduced on the terrestrial platform. The planned expansion was designed to increase competition within the free-to-air broadcasting market. A significant technical and programming expansion took place on 26 February 2017. Channel 9, Channel 24, Hala TV, and a high-definition feed of Channel 1 were added, bringing the television offering to ten channels at that time. The change coincided with the beginning of full-time DVB-T2 transmissions, using different frequencies in southern and northern Israel. Reported usage at the time was approximately 230,000 users, although the user figure included some Cellcom TV subscribers and was affected by the limited number of channels available through the platform. The channel lineup has changed as broadcasters and regulators have made separate commercial and policy decisions. Channel 24 was voluntarily removed in May 2019 after its new owners concluded that the carriage terms were not affordable. The Second Authority did not control that decision. During the Gaza war, Channel 14, formerly Channel 20, was added on a temporary basis under a condition that it remain free to air for the duration of the war. The channel reportedly paid two million shekels under carriage agreements. Other services, including Channel 9, Hala TV, and Channel 24, had also benefited from comparable arrangements at different times. In January 2025, Idan+ completed the shutdown of its older DVB-T transmissions and moved entirely to DVB-T2. The transition improved technological consistency but created difficulties for some elderly viewers and other households whose receivers were not compatible with the newer standard. Reports also noted that some viewers could receive six channels originating from a Palestinian digital terrestrial multiplex, depending on location and reception conditions. The service's current role is to provide terrestrial access to a core group of Israeli channels, including Kan 11, Keshet 12, Reshet 13, Channel 14, Makan 33, Kan Educational, and the Knesset Channel.

Idan+ is Israel's branded digital terrestrial television system. Its development began in 2004, when the Israeli government started work on a digital replacement for analogue terrestrial broadcasting. The policy objective was not simply technical modernization. The system was also intended to maintain a free-to-air television option for households that did not subscribe to the country's cable and satellite services, particularly HOT and yes. The Second Authority for Television and Radio launched Idan+ on 2 August 2009. Its initial lineup comprised Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 10, Channel 33, and the Knesset Channel. During the initial testing period, the government and broadcasting authorities examined transmission signals and coverage in order to identify technical problems. The platform operated within the broader national transition from analogue television to digital broadcasting. By June 2011, plans were being discussed to expand the service from five channels to as many as eighteen television and radio services. The proposed additions included standard-definition services such as Channel 9, Educational 23, and Channel 24, radio stations, and a high-definition version of Channel 1. Other possible services included Arabic-language programming, a heritage channel, and a news channel. Although thematic channels had initially been considered for a subscription package, the Ministry of Communications altered the applicable conditions so that any such channels added to the terrestrial platform would be free to air. The expansion was expected to increase competition among free-to-air broadcasters. On 26 February 2017, Idan+ added Channel 9, Channel 24, Hala TV, and Channel 1 HD. This raised the television count to ten channels at the time and coincided with the start of full-time DVB-T2 broadcasts. The service used channel 28 in the south and channel 32 in the north. At that point, approximately 230,000 users were reported, though the figure included Cellcom TV subscribers and reflected the constraints created by the platform's relatively small lineup. The service continued to evolve through individual channel and carriage decisions. In May 2019, Channel 24 was removed voluntarily by its new owners, who judged the carriage conditions too expensive. The Second Authority was not able to prevent the removal. During the Gaza war, Channel 14, formerly Channel 20, joined the platform on a temporary basis, subject to a requirement that it remain free to air while the war continued. The channel reportedly paid two million shekels in carriage agreements. Channel 9, Hala TV, and Channel 24 had also been associated with similar benefits at different points. In January 2025, Idan+ discontinued its remaining DVB-T transmissions and moved fully to DVB-T2. The switchover affected viewers with older or incompatible receivers, with elderly users identified as particularly vulnerable because of limited familiarity with the required technology. Reception conditions also meant that some users could see six channels carried by a Palestinian digital terrestrial multiplex. The current lineup is described as including Kan 11, Keshet 12, Reshet 13, Channel 14, Makan 33, Kan Educational, and the Knesset Channel. Idan+ therefore remains primarily an infrastructure and access brand rather than a conventional content producer: its value lies in distributing a basic set of Israeli channels free to air through terrestrial transmission.

• 2025

  DVB-T shutdown completed

  [1]Idan+en.wikipedia.org

  Idan+ ends DVB-T transmissions in January and operates entirely on DVB-T2.

• 2019

  Channel 24 removed

  [1]Idan+en.wikipedia.org

  Channel 24 leaves the platform voluntarily after its owners determine that carriage terms are unaffordable.

• 2017

  Additional channels and DVB-T2 service introduced

  [1]Idan+en.wikipedia.org

  Four television services are added and full-time DVB-T2 broadcasts begin on 26 February.

• 2011

  Expansion plans announced

  [1]Idan+en.wikipedia.org

  Authorities announce plans to expand the free-to-air offer toward eighteen television and radio services, potentially including HD and community-oriented channels.

• 2009

  Idan+ launches

  [1]Idan+en.wikipedia.org

  The Second Authority for Television and Radio launches the service on 2 August with five television channels.

• 2004

  Government begins developing digital terrestrial television

  [1]Idan+en.wikipedia.org

  Israel begins work on a digital terrestrial service intended to modernize broadcasting and provide a free-to-air alternative to subscription television.

A public-interest, free-to-air alternative to paid television distribution, using Israel's terrestrial broadcast infrastructure to make a core set of television channels available without a cable, satellite, or internet subscription.

• Digital terrestrial television · 2009

  Idan+ digital terrestrial television service

  The core Idan+ offering is a terrestrial broadcast platform that distributes a selected group of Israeli television channels without requiring a cable, satellite, or internet subscription. It was initially launched using digital terrestrial transmission and later adopted DVB-T2 for full-time service. Reception requires compatible equipment and depends on local signal coverage. The lineup has changed over time as channels were added, removed, or carried under temporary regulatory and commercial arrangements.

• Broadcast transmission standard · 2017

  DVB-T2 transmission service

  DVB-T2 is the current terrestrial transmission technology used by Idan+. Full-time DVB-T2 broadcasts began in 2017, and the older DVB-T network was shut down in January 2025. The transition established a single newer technical standard for the service but required some households to replace or upgrade receiving equipment.

• 2025

  Complete migration to DVB-T2Generation change

  Background

  Idan+ operated a mixed-generation terrestrial environment before the older DVB-T transmissions were retired.

  Action taken

  The DVB-T service was shut down in January 2025, leaving DVB-T2 as the platform's sole terrestrial standard.

  Aftermath

  Viewers with incompatible equipment, especially some elderly users, were required to upgrade or replace their receivers.

  Source

• 2017

  Introduction of full-time DVB-T2 broadcastingGeneration change

  Background

  The platform required a more current terrestrial transmission standard as digital broadcasting developed.

  Action taken

  Idan+ began full-time DVB-T2 transmissions alongside a major addition of channels.

  Aftermath

  The service continued operating with DVB-T2 while the older DVB-T network remained in use until its final shutdown in 2025.

  Source

• 2011

  Plan to expand the free-to-air channel portfolioStrategy

  Background

  The initial five-channel lineup was considered limited, while Israel was moving from analogue to digital television and seeking stronger competition in the free-to-air market.

  Action taken

  Authorities planned a phased expansion toward eighteen television and radio services, including additional standard-definition channels, HD programming, radio stations, and possible community-oriented services.

  Aftermath

  The expansion was implemented only in part, with several additional television services arriving in 2017 rather than the full proposed lineup.

  Source

1. 1Idan+en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Second Authority for Television and Radio: Idan+ broadcast distributionrashut2.org.il