The Spanish regulator CNMC has decided to retain Cellnex as the leading DTT operator in the country.
However, it has also relaxed the conditions of the regulatory framework in order to facilitate agreements between Cellnex and its competitors, thereby allowing alternative providers to enter the market and provide services to broadcasters.
Such providers will be able to request access to Cellnet’s broadcast network and face no restrictions other than technical ones.
Furthermore, the price control obligation will be replaced by a “reasonable price” obligation.
CNMC notes that despite growing demand for pay-TV services, including via OTT platforms, 80% of Spanish households still watch DTT and over 70% FTA services.
In a separate development, CNMC has issued a report urging the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFRF) to modify its proposal to commercialise audiovisual rights in Spain, Europe and international markets to the Copa de SM el Rey for the seasons 2019 to 2022.
It has done so because in its view the requirements established in the Royal Decree –Law 5/2015 have not fully been met.
