The regional channel RTVV (Radiotelevisio Valenciana) has announced that it will pull out of the Telefonica-led platform Via Digital in which it holds a 1.11 per cent stake.

The channel has taken the decision following a decision by the Hispasat-delivered digital satellite platform to deny it the rights to broadcast in the clear a football match between Valencia and Barcelona, which Via Digital eventually offered on a pay-per-view basis.

The RTVV shares in Via Digital amount to Ptas 1,500 million (9 million). The move takes place at a time when the company is looking for new sources of funds with which to finance its operations over the coming years.

Via Digital is currently finalising the issue of financial bonds amounting to Eur360 million and plans to ask for a capital loan of around Eur240 million – giving it a total fresh injection of Eur600 million. Its current share capital amounts to Eur567 million.