Movistar Plus+ says almost half of Spanish football viewers are now watching matches illegally, warning that piracy has become “socially accepted” and calling for tougher laws to protect sports rights.
Chief executive Daniel Domenjó told Spanish media that 43% of football fans in the country pirate live games, undermining the economic model that sustains premium sports coverage. He said the current legal framework was too weak to act as a deterrent, urging the government to strengthen legislation against online piracy.
Speaking at a recent event in Madrid, Domenjó described illicit viewing as being “socially well regarded” in Spain — a cultural problem that, he argued, normalises theft of content and erodes the value of media rights.
Movistar, which holds key broadcast rights for LaLiga and UEFA competitions, is in talks with football authorities to step up action against the pirates. The operator also wants to expand its offer beyond live matches, developing more documentaries and sports-related entertainment to reduce dependence on match rights.
The company says its findings highlight the scale of the challenge faced by rights holders and broadcasters as illegal IPTV services continue to thrive despite enforcement efforts.
Movistar has joined calls from LaLiga for a coordinated crackdown on piracy across Spain’s digital platforms.
