Spanish football TV broadcasts: a historical perspective of an interpendent relationship (1956-1988)

Abstract

Today, the relationship between Spanish television and football is becoming more obvious and powerful. However, this is not a new phenomenon. Most of the features of this union were born with the creation of Spanish TV and over the years they have created a relationship of mutual need. Both the benefits and harms of the relationship between television and football have profoundly marked the historical development of the medium for the last 15 years. The birth of commercial television, the emergence of new digital platforms and cable networks, the merger of companies devoted to digital television or the granting of new TV licenses are some of the major events of the Spanish TV History. In each one of these events, football has played an essential role. However, this is not a new phenomenom. This article would make an in-depth analysis of this relationship and will determine the real influence of football broadcasts in the historical development of Spanish TV, especially in the period of the monopoly of public television (1956-1988). In the end, some conclusions will arise around today’s Sports programming strategies.