Televisión Española (TVE), the television broadcaster in Spain that is part of the public service Corporación Radio Televisión Española (RTVE), has agreed what has been described as a “major deal” to broadcast non-exclusively in the country the 2022 season of the International Padel Federation’s (FIP) Premier Padel tour.
The deal, announced today (June 6), will see all top-tier majors and second-tier P1 events on the 2022 calendar covered by TVE, with select matches to be shown on the network’s Teledeporte linear channel and its RTVE Play streaming platform.
While there are currently no other broadcast deals in place covering Spain, coverage will notably continue to be provided in the country for free on the YouTube video platform, an arrangement otherwise offered only in territories where no broadcast deal is in place.
Premier Padel, which was launched by the FIP global governing body with support from the Qatar Sports Investments private equity firm earlier this year, says the overall exposure and audiences that it will receive in Spain will be “unparalleled” as a result.
TVE’s coverage will begin with the Paris Premier Padel Major at the Stade Roland-Garros (July 11-17) and will also include the Madrid Premier Padel P1 event at the WiZink Center (August 1-6).
News of the agreement follows yesterday’s (June 5) announcement that French pay-television operator Canal Plus has agreed a multi-year deal to broadcast Premier Padel in over 60 territories around the world.
Among the other broadcasters covering the tour are SuperSport (56 territories), ESPN (45 territories), BeIN (37 territories), Sky (11 territories), Viaplay (10 territories), Arena (Czech Republic, Slovakia), Charlton (Israel), and Cosmote (Greece).
Luigi Carraro, president of the FIP, said: “TVE has a reach and exposure in the country like no other broadcaster, which means millions of fans will have the opportunity to be inspired by our players and enjoy our tournaments, all starting with the Greenweez Paris Premier Padel Major from the iconic Stade Roland-Garros from July 11th.
“The International Padel Federation is constantly looking at ways to bring bigger and broader audiences to padel all around the world with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility – and this deal with TVE in Spain is testament to that.”
