The tech giant faced a pivotal decision after learning that Plaza 1, the company responsible for managing parking areas, had been acquired. In a move that reshaped the broadcasting landscape, sales teams and the Royal Maestranza of the Sevilla Cavalry signed an agreement with the German platform OneToro to air bullfighting seasons for the next three years, including the San Isidro and April fairs. The deal signaled a shift in how traditional events would reach audiences and highlighted the ongoing changes in sports and cultural programming across Europe and North America.
Movistar Plus+ has opted to shutter this channel after losing its two primary providers. For more than a decade, bullfighting programming formed a core part of the platform, sustaining a niche audience even through the most challenging periods, such as the pandemic when viewers sought familiar content and the industry faced severe disruptions. Key figures like Victor Santamaria and Manuel Molés were instrumental in guiding the channel through these turbulent times, shaping a steady flow of commentary, match broadcasts, and cultural context that resonated with fans. Their leadership underscored the resilience of bullfighting coverage, even as the media landscape grew increasingly fragmented.
Kanal Taurus established itself as a vital pillar for bullfights, delivering not only live bouts but also a range of self-produced documentaries, in-depth reports, and timely industry updates. The recent breakdown of negotiations between Plaza 1 and Kanal Taurus, dating back to September, created a ripple effect that moved major live events away from television screens and sparked concern among viewers and insiders alike. The autumn festival season, once a reliable television fixture, faced uncertainty as plans to broadcast it evolved and, in some cases, faltered. Analysts noted that such shifts reflect broader trends in rights management, viewer habits, and the economics of sports broadcasting.
Movistar Plus+ confirmed the channel would be discontinued, with official statements indicating that the deadline for the thematic channel would be March 23. In its communications, the platform assured customers that content already published and produced to date would remain accessible, providing a bridge for fans who rely on the service for archived broadcasts and historical context. Industry observers pointed to these guarantees as a sign of careful transition planning, intended to minimize disruption while signaling a broader recalibration of the broadcaster’s portfolio. Attribution: industry reports and company statements compiled from sector analysis and media coverage over the past year.