Advanced Television

Movistar

Movistar Plus adds mandatory ads when accessing TV channels 

Movistar Plus, the Spanish pay-TV platform, has commenced rolling out mandatory advertising before access to several television channels, extending a system that now requires viewers to watch an advert before entering the live broadcast of networks from the Atresmedia group. The measure forms part of a broader strategy by the platform to increase the presence […]

March 6, 2026From David Del Valle in Madrid

Spain: Movistar adds Ronaldo’s MMA

Mixed martial arts is set to return to Spanish television as Movistar Plus has reached an agreement to broadcast WOW, the country’s leading MMA competition, backed by former UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria and professional footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. The platform will offer full coverage of the promotion’s events, beginning with its next major fight night, […]

March 5, 2026From David Del Valle in Madrid

Spain: Streaming revenues overtake traditional broadcasters

Streaming platforms in Spain have surpassed traditional television operators in revenue for the first time, according to to the Entertainment and Media Outlook 2025–2029 report by Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC), cited by Dircom. Advertising has played a pivotal role in driving the shift In 2025, streaming services such as Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix generated […]

February 20, 2026From David Del Valle in Madrid

Spain: PFL signs Movistar Plus+ deal

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced a deal with Movistar Plus+, the Spanish pay-TV provider, to broadcast all 24 PFL Global and International League events in 2026. The deal will allow Movistar Plus+ subscribers to watch PFL on Vamos por M+ (channel available to all Movistar Plus+ customers), the entry-level package, ensuring enhanced exposure […]

February 10, 2026By Nik Roseveare

Spain: Landmark ruling against TV piracy

A Spanish court has set a new benchmark in the fight against TV piracy by imposing prison sentences of up to three years on those responsible for illegally distributing the signal of Movistar+ and other pay-TV operators. In a ruling – described as a turning point for the audiovisual industry – the Málaga Provincial Court […]

January 20, 2026From David Del Valle in Madrid

Movistar Plus+ promotes Aguilar to Head of International Distribution

Movistar Plus+ has promoted Rebeca Aguilar to Head of International Distribution, four years after she joined the Spanisg company as a sales executive. The appointment strengthens the structure of Movistar Plus+ International, the division created in 2022 to drive the international expansion of original productions for Telefónica’s pay-TV service. Since its launch, Movistar Plus+ International has […]

January 20, 2026

CAF announces record European broadcast deals for AFCON

The Confédération Africaine de Football has announced a record 20 media rights partnerships across over 30 European territories for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 which will kick-off on December 21st. Building on the landmark deal with Channel 4 in the UK – the first time all 52 AFCON matches […]

December 18, 2025

Data: Time-shifted TV viewing grows in Spain 

Consumption of time-shifted TV reached 8 minutes per person per day in November 2025, representing 5 per cent of total television use, according to the latest report from Barlovento Comunicación with data from Kantar. The study, which measures non-linear viewing of television content within the seven days following its original broadcast, as well as same-day […]

December 10, 2025From David Del Valle in Madrid

Spain: Movistar Plus regains momentum

Telefónica’s pay-TV service, Movistar Plus, has consolidated its recovery in the Spanish television market, extending its growth streak for another quarter. The company’s latest figures confirm that the rebound, which began after the 2023 downturn, represents a lasting shift rather than a temporary uptick. By the end of the third quarter of 2025, Movistar Plus+ […]

November 5, 2025From David Del Valle in Madrid

Spain: BBC Player on Movistar Plus+

BBC Player has debuted on Movistar Plus+, offering viewers in Spain up to 700 hours of curated content on-demand from the BBC Studios catalogue. Curated specifically for the Spanish audience and available in Spanish, BBC Player features a mixture of drama, natural history, documentaries, lifestyle, and entertainment titles. Launch titles include Louis Theroux documentaries, Natural […]

October 20, 2025