The LaLiga relationship could be a determining factor but it remains to be seen whether these changes will translate into a tangible improvement for clubs and fans

Full article

RFEF looks to break with ATM Broadcast amid new deal for Primera Federación

As the start of the 2024/25 Primera Federación season approaches, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) faces a number of significant challenges in the management of the competition's audiovisual rights. This conflict has intensified due to uncertainty over the future of television broadcasts, a crucial aspect for both clubs and fans.

The RFEF is in a delicate situation regarding its relationship with the operator ATM Broadcast, in charge of the exploitation of the audiovisual rights of the First Federation since 2022. A few days before the start of the new season, the Federation is trying to terminate the contract with ATM, partly due to financial problems related to outstanding invoices due to the clubs that participated in the competition last season.

This attempted contractual termination not only puts in check the continuity of broadcasts through the FEF TV platform, managed by ATM, but also raises doubts as to whether the league will be broadcast through LaLiga+, an OTT platform that has emerged as a possible alternative amid the new relationship between the RFEF and LaLiga. This alliance, which seeks to “improve the product,” could significantly impact the experience for clubs and fans, especially with regard to the possible scheduling of matches on Fridays, although so far no schedules have been set for that day.

Despite attempts to terminate the contract, the RFEF has reached a new agreement with ATM Broadcast for the management of the audiovisual rights of the Primera Federación for the next three seasons, until 2025/26. According to this agreement, the Federation will receive five million euros per season, in addition to 50% of the revenues generated from 60,000 subscribers.

This agreement also includes a free-to-air component, a goal that the RFEF has been pursuing for years. Starting this season, at least 20% of the Primera Federación matches will be broadcast free-to-air, which translates into four matches per day (two per group). Mediaset, through its thematic channels, seems to be the favorite to broadcast these matches, which could significantly increase the league's visibility.

In addition, the RFEF has assured that all Primera Federación matches will have television coverage, as in previous seasons. A linear channel will be created and offered to various platforms, and the option of rebroadcasting the matches on regional channels will also be explored, thus extending the reach of the competition at the regional level.

The current situation reflects the complexity of the management of audiovisual rights in Spanish soccer, especially in lower categories such as the Primera Federación. The uncertainty generated by the contractual problems between the RFEF and ATM Broadcast could affect not only the financial stability of the clubs, which depend on these revenues, but also the experience of the fans who follow the competition.

La alianza entre la RFEF y LaLiga, así como el acuerdo renovado con ATM Broadcast, presentan tanto oportunidades como desafíos. La posibilidad de ver más partidos en abierto y la mejora en la calidad de las transmisiones podrían aumentar la popularidad de la Primera Federación, pero la incertidumbre sobre la ejecución de estos planes sigue siendo un motivo de preocupación.