In an effort to diffuse the situation, Rubalcaba said: “I am sure that TVE will not spend more than it has when bidding for the Champions League rights.” TVE’s sports rights budget is limited to 10 per cent of its total programming budget, which in 2011 totals €1.2 billion ($1.6 billion).
Uteca claims that TVE and Forta, the group of regional broadcasters, are prepared to bid around €70 million per year for the Champions League rights. Currently they pay €66 million per year between them. Commercial broadcasters say that these sums are impossible for them to refinance.
Uteca points out that Champions League matches are not included on a new list of specified general interest sporting events, contained in Spain’s new broadcasting law, and argues that TVE and Forta should not bid for sports events if there is strong interest from commercial channels. The new law, created by a yet-to-be-constituted body, Consejo Estatal de Medios Audiovisuales, is still pending government approval.
Spanish commercial broadcasters Antena 3 and Telecinco have both declared a firm interest in acquiring the free-to-air Champions League rights for the next three-year cycle, from 2012-13 to 2014-15, while fellow commercial broadcaster laSexta said it could also make a bid. TVE has also said that it intends to try and retain the rights. Bids are due in on Thursday.