Laliga Launches Multi-sport Ott

LaLiga has become the first major European league to launch its own OTT service, offering fans free coverage of live Spanish sporting competitions via mobile and connected devices.

LaLigaSportsTV, developed in collaboration with LaLiga partner Samsung, will provide a range of live and on-demand coverage of sports including American football, Superbike, esports and most Olympic disciplines.

Live coverage of LaLiga Santander matches will not be included in the service, but on-demand content including highlights of every fixture and pre- and post-match interviews will be available to fans.

In addition, live LaLiga 1|2|3 match broadcasts can be watched through the platform for a €2.99 per month subscription fee.

The LaLigaSportsTV app will be available in eight languages (English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russia and Indonesian) for smartphone and tablet, while the smart TV service can be accessed in English and Spanish.

Free content will be accessible internationally via an on-demand function, depending on local rights restrictions.

The initiative aims to support the development of audio-visual offerings for Spanish sports that do not receive coverage through traditional media channels and whose content distribution has been limited for fans.

It forms part of a wider LaLigaSports project, which was created to offer sporting federations in Spain enhanced exposure and commercial and performance development support.

The platform will be promoted through a major advertising campaign in Spain, with the message ‘Cuando te miran, lo das todo’ (When you’re being watched, you give your all).

LaLiga also plans to support its federation partners in gaining a better understanding of user consumption habits with a view to developing improved commercialisation strategies.

Commenting on the launch, Jose Hidalgo, President of the Spanish Sports Association (ADESP), said: “LaLigaSportsTV is a platform that will bring about a digital transformation and will offer exposure to the work carried out by each of the Spanish sporting federations.”

Paco Hernandez, Captain of the Spanish rugby sevens team, added: “It makes us proud to sport the logo of a brand as prestigious and representative of Spain as LaLigaSports. Now with LaLiga’s new OTT we’re convinced that rugby and the rest of the sports will enjoy greater visibility, which will also help our federations when it comes to securing new sponsors.”

LaLigaSportsTV is currently available via iOS and Android apps for mobiles and tablets; Samsung Smart TV; and screen mirroring (Chromecast, Apple TV, Samsung), with web and other devices to be added in the near future.

Functionality will include algorithm-driven content recommendations, search, push notifications and in-built social sharing.

Samsung Electronics Iberia’s Corporate Vice-President Celestino Garcia said: “Samsung is the world’s leading technology company and one which always seeks to link up with the best partners.

“Technology and content are increasingly related and that’s why we were keen to be a part of the LaLigaSports project. It will allow our clients to access the very best in sporting content via their television sets, smartphones and tablets.

“We’re delighted to continue to offer innovative solutions to a partner of LaLiga’s standing.”