The €140,000 dispute that jeopardizes human tower broadcasts

BarcelonaThe conflict over the transfer of image rights has resurfaced in the human tower community. It erupted with force in 2017, and was brought back under control in the 2021 renewal—just as the pandemic emerged—but this year it has stalled again. An agreement is essential for the performances to be broadcast on the various television channels, and with Sant Joan (Saint Joan) usually the start of broadcasts, the positions are far apart.

On the one hand, there is the Coordinadora de Colles Castelleres de Catalunya (CCCC), which has the support of the vast majority of groups and advocates for an altruistic block transfer of rights from all of them. On the other hand, there are mainly the Castellers of Vilafranca and the Colla Vella de los Xiquets de Valls, who are demanding compensation for the purchase of these rights from the Local Television Network. The lack of agreement was evident at the Ordinary General Assembly of the CCCC this March, a few weeks after the magazine Castles would have uncovered the case.

The amount at stake

The major change in this rights renewal compared to previous ones is that the transfer is no longer free. Until now, the Coordinator transferred them free of charge to La Red, which is the party responsible for their exploitation. This year, however, La Xarxa is making a contribution of €140,000 to purchase image rights. Thus, it is a sale transaction between both parties. It's worth noting that in recent years, the audiovisual entity had a €40,000 sponsorship agreement with the CCCC, but not as a transfer of rights.

This additional €100,000 is precisely what the Villafranca and Vallencs teams will no longer receive. Until this last season, both teams received €50,000 annually from La Red in sponsorship. However, pressure from many groups has led the audiovisual platform to change its mind, and this contract will not be extended.

The big question right now is where this money will go. The Coordinator argues that it should be used for the entire casteller world, whether in security, healthcare, or social funds, among others. On the other hand, the Greens and Pinks argue that since this is an economic exchange in exchange for rights, those groups whose performances are broadcast the most should receive a fair share according to some stipulated scale. The CCCC reiterates that this is not its idea and that other avenues are being explored, although it points out that this does not mean it will end up happening.

Broadcasts on local television

The arrival of La Red to the human tower world helped, primarily, to ensure that a performance could be seen throughout the territory on various local television channels or on the internet. However, now we can return to a scenario where performances are restricted to the television channels of the municipality or area where the day is held.

This is what will happen this Sunday with the Vilafranca del Penedès May Fair, broadcast by Penedès Televisió. This situation could be repeated for San Juan with a broadcast on Tac12, although it is unclear whether this will end up happening and, if so, whether it would be broadcast only on DTT or also online.

The parties continue working toward an agreement but with, at least publicly, differing positions. Both groups maintain that they are only at the beginning. While the Coordinating Committee believes they are getting closer to reaching an agreement, the Colla Vella maintains a more reserved profile, surely aware that their group is on the CCCC board and that they must proceed with caution.

In any case, the human tower season is approaching its first key dates, and the agreement for the human tower broadcasts is still up in the air.