Spain’s TVE looks to avoid TV blackout of World Cup qualifier

Sportcal reports that the head of TVE, Spain’s public-service broadcaster, has said that he hopes to renegotiate the company’s contract for the media rights to the Spanish national soccer team’s matches, in line with stringent cuts to the corporation’s budget.

The news comes as a television blackout looms for Spain’s away 2014 World Cup qualifying match in Belarus on Friday after Sportfive, the international sports marketing agency, failed to attract a single offer for the rights, despite halving the €3-million ($3.9-million) price tag.

TVE president Leopoldo González-Echenique told the national budget commission last week that the broadcaster’s spending ceiling for 2013 is €941.6 million, some €50 million less than in 2012, following a €204-million cut in the previous year.

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