Spain: CNMC approves report on La Liga transmission rights

Spanish competition authorities have approved a report proposing changes and recommendations to the National Professional Football League’s (LNFP, aka ‘La Liga’) broadcasting rights covering the First and Second division tournaments as well as the Copa del Rey football cup in the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons.

Among other recommendations, the Spanish authorities have recommended that La Liga eliminates the option for Pay-TV providers to have exclusive rights over the season’s decisive 37th and 38th match days, making it available on open broadcast. The league is also encouraged to better clarify their methodology for evaluating and setting prices for broadcast fees regarding game lots 2 and 4. The agency further recommends an extensive re-working of the exclusivity rights presented in section 5, adapting it to the rights and licenses granted at the end of last year.

Back in April 2015 a joint sales system was created covering the broadcasting rights of all national football games, with a system in place for sharing out the profits among the teams based on their sporting results and social impact. The LNFP board is required to request a review of their report before granting any broadcast rights.

Full Content: CNMC

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