Sogecable soccer under threat

[BGonaSTICK]

Spanish sports rights broker Mediapro has said it is confident of securing the broadcast rights to the top four Spanish football clubs it does not already hold. Mediapro chairman Jaume Roures told reporters the company was optimistic of picking up the rights to games featuring Atletico Madrid, Getafe, Tenerife and Betis. Mediapro already has the rights to 38 of Spain’s 42 professional clubs.

The rights package gives Mediapro control of the rights from the start of the 2009/10 season, potentially removing a key plank of Sogecable’s coverage on the Digital+ DTH platform. Sogecable shares have come under pressure since Mediapro’s plans first emerged on July 5.

Sogecable CEO Javier Diez de Polanco maintains the pay-TV operator is secure in its position to broadcast live Spanish football after 2009, but has threatened to take legal action should the position change.

Source: Broadband TV News