Marca TV Acquires Rights To La Liga's Free-To-Air Match On Mondays

Marca TV has acquired the rights to La Liga’s free-to-air game, according to Raul Pina of EL MUNDO. In recent years, and the first three weeks of this season, the game had been offered by La Sexta. Mediapro accepted Marca TV’s offer and the broadcaster’s first game will be Monday’s 9:30pm local time clash between Getafe and Mallorca (EL MUNDO, 9/27). In Madrid, MARCA reported that Mediapro received five bids for the free-to-air match but chose Marca’s offer because of the "specialization of the channel, the quality of its content and its successful trajectory." The deal is for the entire '12-13 season (MARCA, 9/27).

IN OTHER SPANISH TV NEWS...: Broadcaster Antena 3 has "confirmed its plan to acquire" rival La Sexta. The takeover will be effective as of Oct. 1 and will give the group control of eight Spanish terrestrial TV channels (Antena 3, Neox, Nova, Nitro, La Sexta, Xplora, La Sexta, and GolT). Once the takeover is completed, Antena 3 will control "around 42% of the advertising market" in Spain (NOTICIASDENAVARRA, 9/27)...