Broadcaster Canal+ has issued a public statement apologizing to football fans in Poland after facing intense backlash over new extra paid channels for Spanish La Liga broadcasts.
In recent years, broadcasting rights for the Spanish top flight in Poland were split between Canal+ and Eleven Sports. However, starting from the current season, Canal+ became the exclusive distributor of all La Liga matches in the country.
Rather than airing every fixture on its standard channels, the station established two new networks, Canal+ Sport 6 and Canal+ Sport 7, which require additional payments. The network launched an Ultra package priced at 59 zlotys per year, after which the rate rises to 79 zlotys under a 23-month contract.
La Liga, officially known as La Liga EA Sports for sponsorship reasons, is the premier professional football competition in Spain. Canal+ is a major European pay-television service operator with extensive broadcasting networks across Poland.
Subscriber anger over unexpected channel fees
According to author Kacper Sosnowski, long-term subscribers can maintain their existing service plans but will not receive Canal+ Sport 6 or 7 unless they pay an extra 10 zlotys. Sosnowski noted that Canal+ Sport 7 is an online feed available exclusively under a cable license, which leaves some satellite subscribers unable to view it.
Supporters expressed frustration after discovering that even customers on the top tier Ultra package were unable to watch the match between Atletico Madrid and Malaga because it was scheduled on Canal+ Sport 7. The new Spanish league season commenced last weekend, with extra paid channels broadcasting fixtures featuring major teams such as Atletico Madrid.
Broadcaster statement and fan reaction
Canal+ responded to the widespread criticism by publishing a formal statement on social media. The network acknowledged that information regarding changes to access for La Liga EA Sports coverage had failed to reach all fans sufficiently early and apologized for the confusion.
The company urged viewers to confirm whether their current subscription package covers Canal+ Sport 6 and Canal+ Sport 7, where additional league games are shown beyond those on Canal+ Sport 1 through 4.
Reactions under the post on social media platform X were overwhelmingly negative, with supporters accusing the broadcaster of greed and claiming they felt cheated. One fan commented ironically that the public backlash occurred precisely because the information was not provided in time.
Uncertainty remains heading into September, when viewers will discover if additional fees will be required to watch El Clasico. El Clasico is the traditional rivalry match between Spanish giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, ranking among the most watched domestic football fixtures in global sport.
