RTVE Approves Catalan-Only Channel Amid Political Concessions
The Spanish government cedes to demands for increased Catalan representation in public broadcasting.
The Spanish state broadcaster RTVE has officially announced the approval of a project for a Catalan-language television channel, following an agreement between the government and Catalan independentist leaders.
This move comes as part of a broader strategy by the Spanish government, led by President Pedro Sánchez, to secure parliamentary support from nationalist and separatist parties in a minority government situation.
On February 28, the RTVE Board of Directors approved the launch of '2CAT,' which is designed to expand audiovisual offerings in Catalonia and provide a platform for diverse voices and content in the region.
Notably, the decision was made with unanimous support from the board, indicating a consensus on the move.
This initiative is a direct result of negotiations that began in November 2024, when Sánchez aligned with former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont to secure necessary votes for RTVE's governing body.
As part of that accord, commitment to the promotion and protection of the Catalan language was established, a commitment that has since evolved amid rising demands from Puigdemont’s party, Junts.
Recently, Junts' parliamentary spokesperson, Míriam Nogueras, remarked that the full implementation of the channel, moving towards a greater presence of Catalan culture in media, would be realized in approximately two years.
She highlighted that around 20% of RTVE’s resources should reflect the contribution of Catalonia to Spain’s GDP.
The launch of the Catalan channel is expected to coincide with Catalonia’s National Day, known as La Diada, on September 11, with the channel projected to be fully operational by October.
Albert Dalmau, Catalonia's Conseller of the Presidency, stated that having a 24-hour channel broadcasting exclusively in Catalan is significant and aims to establish a long-term agreement, potentially lasting 15 years.
In a statement regarding this development, RTVE emphasized its commitment to Spain's linguistic diversity, underlining the importance of this project in promoting and disseminating content in Catalan throughout the region.
The initiative marks a significant step in the ongoing dialogue between the Spanish government and Catalonia's independence movement, as both sides navigate complex political landscapes.
This move comes as part of a broader strategy by the Spanish government, led by President Pedro Sánchez, to secure parliamentary support from nationalist and separatist parties in a minority government situation.
On February 28, the RTVE Board of Directors approved the launch of '2CAT,' which is designed to expand audiovisual offerings in Catalonia and provide a platform for diverse voices and content in the region.
Notably, the decision was made with unanimous support from the board, indicating a consensus on the move.
This initiative is a direct result of negotiations that began in November 2024, when Sánchez aligned with former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont to secure necessary votes for RTVE's governing body.
As part of that accord, commitment to the promotion and protection of the Catalan language was established, a commitment that has since evolved amid rising demands from Puigdemont’s party, Junts.
Recently, Junts' parliamentary spokesperson, Míriam Nogueras, remarked that the full implementation of the channel, moving towards a greater presence of Catalan culture in media, would be realized in approximately two years.
She highlighted that around 20% of RTVE’s resources should reflect the contribution of Catalonia to Spain’s GDP.
The launch of the Catalan channel is expected to coincide with Catalonia’s National Day, known as La Diada, on September 11, with the channel projected to be fully operational by October.
Albert Dalmau, Catalonia's Conseller of the Presidency, stated that having a 24-hour channel broadcasting exclusively in Catalan is significant and aims to establish a long-term agreement, potentially lasting 15 years.
In a statement regarding this development, RTVE emphasized its commitment to Spain's linguistic diversity, underlining the importance of this project in promoting and disseminating content in Catalan throughout the region.
The initiative marks a significant step in the ongoing dialogue between the Spanish government and Catalonia's independence movement, as both sides navigate complex political landscapes.
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