Spanish third tier gets weekly TV slot as Castilla-Mérida kicks off new era
Teledeporte to broadcast one Primera RFEF match weekly, starting with Real Madrid Castilla's clash against Mérida this Sunday, marking a significant boost for lower-tier Spanish football.
Spanish football’s third tier is getting the telly treatment with Teledeporte set to broadcast one Primera RFEF match every week, free-to-air for all to enjoy.
Free football for the masses
RTVE is expanding its football coverage beyond just La Liga. After securing rights to show one top-flight match per gameweek, they’re now bringing Primera Federación to the small screen weekly, starting this Sunday.
The maiden broadcast will feature Real Madrid Castilla hosting Mérida on January 18th at 18:15 local time. It’s a proper big occasion as it marks new gaffer Julián López de Lerma’s debut in the Castilla dugout after taking over from Álvaro Arbeloa.
Strengthening RTVE’s sporting commitment
This move represents a significant bolstering of RTVE’s sporting portfolio, with Teledeporte becoming the go-to channel for:
- La Liga teams not competing in European competitions
- Primera Federación clubs looking to make their mark
The broadcaster is clearly positioning itself as the home of accessible Spanish football across multiple tiers.
A broadcast tradition revived
RTVE’s relationship with Spanish football broadcasting stretches back donkey’s years - all the way to 1963, when they first started showing top-flight matches. For decades, until the 1989-90 season, they delivered a weekly dose of La Liga action to Spanish homes.
After returning briefly in the 2015-16 campaign, football is now back “in a stable way” on Teledeporte. It’s a proper treat for football enthusiasts across Spain who can now watch both Primera División and Primera Federación matches without having to fork out for subscription services.
For Castilla and other third-tier outfits, this exposure could be just what the doctor ordered - bringing more eyeballs to a competition that’s often in the shadow of the bigger boys. Couldn’t be better timing with López de Lerma about to show what he’s made of with Madrid’s youngsters.