La Séptima blocks free placement on Movistar Plus and challenges Mediaset, Atresmedia

Telefónica’s Movistar Plus president Marc Murtra rejected government pressure to place the newly created channel La Séptima on the platform without charge. He said the channel must pay the same market price as other commercial broadcasters if it wants a slot on the service.

La Séptima, led by José Miguel Contreras, announced its launch for 5 November after winning a public tender for a free‑to‑air slot. In a social‑media statement the channel warned rivals Mediaset, Atresmedia and Cadena SER that it will not carry their usual formats, pledging a programming line‑up focused on equality and new content.

The dispute highlights the broader reshaping of Spain’s television landscape, with the new channel seeking to compete on the same terms as established broadcasters while negotiating carriage on the dominant pay‑TV platform.