Galician Television Secures Broadcast Rights for Key Basketball Derbies Amid Political Debate
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Galician Television (TVG) has finalized an agreement too broadcast Galician derbies from teh Primera FEB (formerly LEB Oro) basketball league, featuring teams Leyma Coruña, Monbus Obradoiro, and Club Ourense baloncesto.The move, announced on Thursday, comes amidst an ongoing political debate regarding the network’s broadcasting strategy and its commitment to Galician sports, particularly concerning the broadcasting rights for Río Breogán Basketball Club matches in the ACB League.
Bloc (BNG)
The first televised derbies are scheduled for December 17 – a matchup between Leyma Coruña and Club Ourense Baloncesto – and December 28, featuring Monbus Obradoiro against Leyma Coruña in Santiago. This expanded coverage builds upon previously announced plans to broadcast all matches of Baxi Ferrol in the women’s basketball EuroCup, available on TVG2 (formerly G2) and the AGalega.gal platform.
According to a statement released by the network, this decision “reaffirms its commitment to Galician basketball and to the dissemination of grassroots and professional sports.” Though, this stance directly contrasts with ongoing criticism from the BNG, which has voiced concerns about TVG’s broadcasting strategy as September.
Dispute Over Breogán Broadcasting Rights
The debate intensified over the acquisition of broadcasting rights for Río Breogán Basketball Club’s matches in the ACB League.A senior official from the Corporación de Servizos Audiovisuais de Galicia (CSAG),formerly CRTVG,vehemently denied what she termed “falsehoods and misinformation” circulating regarding the negotiations.
“Encouraging public pressure only favors the seller’s position and weakens that of the buyer,” the official stated, responding to complaints from the BNG. The BNG had publicly questioned the CSAG’s perceived lack of initiative in securing the rights. According to the party, the network had not demonstrated sufficient interest in broadcasting Breogán matches, even partially.
Catalan Model and public Broadcasting Strategies
Deputy Olalla Rodil highlighted the contrasting approach of other public television stations, particularly TV3 in Catalonia, following the transfer of ACB broadcasting rights from Movistar Plus+ to DAZN. TV3 has reportedly secured agreements to broadcast 34 open matches, including 16 derbies featuring the five Catalan teams in the competition.
The CSAG official clarified that Catalan Television (3CAT) was the only known channel to acquire the rights to broadcast a daily match for €800,000 per year, emphasizing that the acquisition was not team-specific but rather for a single daily game.
TVG’s position and Ongoing Negotiations
Regarding Televisión de Galicia’s position, the official was unequivocal: “We have maintained and maintain to date direct contact at the highest level with the ACB to explore options for access to Breogán matches. That is what interests us and why we could reach an economic agreement, for Breogán, not for any game that is played that day.”
The official underscored TVG’s historical commitment to Breogán, recalling that two seasons ago, TVG broadcast the team’s participation in European competitions, and Radio galega was the sole media outlet covering the preliminary phase.
Criticism of Political Pressure
The official also criticized the BNG’s tactics, stating, “Encouraging public pressure, based on speculation and adulation, to acquire certain broadcast rights at all costs is a tactic that only favors the seller’s position and weakens that of the buyer, in this case a public entity, to the detriment of the general interest.”
According to the official,TVG remains interested in broadcasting Breogán matches “provided that rights are available and budgetary conditions are acceptable,” and will continue to offer content “openly and free to all Galicians.”
The BNG maintains that Galician sports clubs, particularly those representing Galicia at the highest levels of competition, deserve prominent coverage on public media, commensurate with their sporting achievements and the support of their fans.
