RCD Espanyol - FC Barcelona derby might not be broadcast on TV

The last games of Spain's LaLiga football league competition might not be broadcast on television as employees of the rights-holding companies have called for a strike.

CNT and CGT labor unions are calling for workers to stop working at the broadcasting rights-holders companies of Mediapro, Globomedia, and Overon between May 13 and 27. The dates coincide with the last three games of the LaLiga EA Sports competition and two games of the LaLiga Hypermotion, second division.

The Clásico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, scheduled for May 11, would not be affected. However, the Catalan team's game against RCD Espanyol would be affected, as it is planned for May 15.

The RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona derby could be decisive. Depending on the results of El Clásico and Derby, Barça could win the 2024-25 league title on May 15.

The labor unions are complaining after LaLiga awarded the competition's broadcasting rights to the Swiss company HBS (Host Broadcast Services) from next season. This "threatens the work history and continuity of dozens of professional technicians who have been in charge of broadcasting the games during the last years," a statement shared by CNT Barcelona reads.

CNT is also urging finding "fair measures ahead of uncertainty and precarity," as they do not have any guarantees on their labor future. Among the requests: all temporary contracts should be adapted into indefinite contracts, and future work should be guaranteed. All while maintaining all labor conditions, including salaries.

CGT Catalunya also reported that the 800 jobs required to broadcast next year's LaLiga season are not guaranteed.

"We want a signed document before the end of the competition, which states that conditions and current rights are not going to be scrapped," a statement shared by the labor union reads. Workers also want to avoid a layoff scheme once the tournament starts.

Staff stated they cannot "accept that HBS, despite moving a lot of money thanks to the broadcasting rights, is incapable of ensuring work for 800 people." They also criticize Mediapro, a Barcelona-based company that owned the rights until now, for the "large profit earned thanks to workers' precarious conditions, as right now, camera operators are earning €150 gross per game, the same salary as 20 years ago."

Mediapro

As reported by the Spanish sports newspaper Sport, the company will try to minimize the effects of the strike.

Officials told the Spanish outlet that they would try to avoid the halt of operations, and if not, for the strike to have the minimum impact on spectators.