Legalization of regional television broadcasts outside the community of origin: the case of Catalonia (2004-2014)

Abstract

The article aims to describe, analyze and interpret the agreements signed by the Catalan Government with its neighboring territories and states in order to legalize the broadcasting of its regional television, TVC, in those areas, where it had lacked a legal basis since its birth in the eighties. Cases in which negotiations have taken place but no agreement has been reached are also considered. The article is based on the results of qualitative research combining documentary analysis and interviews and it includes the results of previous research carried out by the authors. The research is exploratory in nature and deals with an under-resear­ched topic —broadcasting outside the boundaries of a specific Autonomous Community— with the aim of creating original knowledge. The text shows how the agreements are the result of a Catalan desire to legalize TVC’s broadcasts throughout the Catalan-speaking territories. It also shows how these agreements make ex­plicit the political and cultural conflicts between regions with a common cultural heritage. The article moves beyond description to provide interpretive elements which allow us to understand the origin and nature of these agreements and the conflicts caused by the negotiations.