Spanish media seems to be convinced that after the intense meetings of last week between Mediapro/Imagina and AVS/PRISA, an end to the long lasting conflicts on football media rights is within reach. Officially the case is still in the hands of the Spanish judge, who has postponed a verdict more than once and does not seem to feel like taking a decision soon. “I have the impression that the case is so complicated and politically sensitive, that the judge does not have the guts to deny any of the parties claims��?, according to Mr M.H. Bressers who as a lawyer and football agent in Barcelona follows the conflict from close by.
The provisional agreement, which in fact is not more than a Letter of Intent, seems to consist of the establishment of a joint company by the two main players in the Spanish market of football broadcasting rights to house all rights, and on the other hand the joining of their TV-channels La Sexta (Mediapro) and Cuatro (PRISA). Such a merger has been made possible due the introduction of the new Spanish Competition Act in February 2009 which has significantly liberated the Spanish broadcasting establishment.
Imagina and PRISA have expressed their desire to return to the situation that existed before this ´War of Football´, when only one match (on Saturday at 10 pm) was broadcasted on public TV, one was available for Canal + / Digital + members (owned by PRISA) and all other Primera División games were available through the pay-per-view system.
It is presumed that not only the new Competition Act but also the severe shortage of cash has made AVS/PRISA decide to try negotiations as a possible solution to the conflict. Parties have given each other one month to finalize the deal. That term ends in the first week of July. |
