RTVE Launches Record Digital Broadcast of 2026 World Cup Matches. RTVE has announced the largest digital broadcast in its history for the 2026 World Cup. Matches, exclusive shows, and live broadcasts will be available on RTVE Play and YouTube. In focus: new formats and expanded access.
RTVE has announced a major expansion of its digital broadcast for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. For the first time, the Spanish broadcaster will offer three parallel live feeds for key matches, including a separate Catalan-language version and a special broadcast featuring RTVE Play digital creators. The main matches, including all games involving the Spanish national team, will be available on the RTVE Play platform, where users can watch in real time and access additional features—from creating favorites lists to receiving personalized notifications.
RTVE is placing particular emphasis on exclusive digital content. On the Teledeporte YouTube channel, viewers will be able to watch the first ten minutes of the most anticipated matches live, as well as access extended highlights before they're available on other digital platforms. For the convenience of fans, a dedicated page has been created on TDP Play, where all live broadcasts, schedules, and archives of the best moments are collected.
As part of the special EN PLAY program on RTVE Play, three original digital projects are launching: 'Comenta, que sales' with Dario Eme Hache, Lucía Borro, Marina Rivers, La Sotanita, and Javier Nacher; the sports comedy show CTA with Albert Bermudez, Anna Palet, Edgar Manchado, and Pol Corredoyra; as well as the video podcast 'Fútbol de calle' with Pedro el Ingeniero, La Sotanita, and Javi Torres. All of these formats are aimed at a new audience that prefers to watch football online and discuss it in the digital space.
The RTVE Play platform also integrates live broadcasts from the main channel La 1 and the sports channel Teledeporte, while all goals, full match recordings, and key moments will be available for viewing at any time. This approach allows fans not to miss a single important episode of the tournament, regardless of schedule or device.
In recent years, Spanish media have been actively investing in digital formats to compete with international platforms and retain audience attention. According to russpain.com, such measures have already led to a noticeable increase in viewer engagement, as was the case after the launch of new services in other sectors—for example, when the authorities in Barcelona decided to restrict private bike-sharing services, which was covered in detail in the report on urban service regulation. In the case of RTVE, focusing on digital broadcasting of the year's largest football event may prove crucial for the future of national broadcasting.
For reference: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in three countries—USA, Canada, and Mexico. In Spain, the rights to broadcast key matches traditionally belong to RTVE, and digital platforms are becoming an increasingly important channel for fans. According to industry estimates, from 2022 to 2025 the share of online viewership of sports events in Spain has grown by more than 30%, reflecting changing audience habits and intensifying competition between traditional TV and digital services.
