The Argentinian government spent ARS$1.287 billion (€205 million/$264 million) on its ‘fútbol para todos’ (‘football for everyone’) scheme to show domestic league matches on free-to-air television in the country last year, according to the Política news website.
The report said that the final figure was 84-per-cent higher than the budget of ARS$698 million for 2012.
The government, which holds rights for the top-tier Primera División in a 10-year deal, from 2009-10 to 2018-19, said at the start of 2011 that it would commit extra funds towards introducing high-definition coverage from August 2011.
State-owned channel Canal 7 shows the biggest games from the top division, while rights for other matches are sublicensed to other free-to-air broadcasters, Canal 13 and Telefe.