This season we’re facing the same problem as in recent years: if you want to watch all the football, you have to lock yourself into Movistar or Orange and pay around 100 euros for fiber, mobile, and TV. Since I am not willing to switch operators or to pay such a high monthly fee, I settle for watching some matches via streaming.
There are three services that offer football to customers of any operator: Movistar Plus, Orange TV Libre, and DAZN. But they don’t all cost the same or broadcast the same matches. I’ve tried them all and I’m clear about which one I’ll stick with.
The choice depends on your team and what you’re willing to pay
If you want to watch football without being tied to a single operator, you have two options: settle for a handful of matches broadcast free-to-air via terrestrial TV (TDT) or pay for a subscription on one of the platforms that include football among their content. And these options, besides DAZN, are the Movistar and Orange OTTs, which have gradually added more matches to their lineup.
Which is best among the three? Let’s start with the prices and then look at the football each offers. Movistar Plus costs 9.99 euros per month (or 99.90 euros per year), while Orange TV Libre runs at 7.99 euros per month (2 euros less). Neither has a contract, so you can cancel whenever you want.
DAZN’s Football plan, on the other hand, costs 29.99 euros per month with no commitment. If you agree to stay for a year on the platform, the price drops to 19.99 euros per month (currently, 9.99 euros per month in promotion), and if you pay for a full year upfront, it comes to 219.99 euros (currently, 109.99 euros per month in promotion) and you also get the entire World Cup as a gift.
And what does each one include? Let’s see it in a table, which is much more visual:
In addition to that, Movistar Plus and Orange TV Libre include all the football that is broadcast free-to-air via TDT (Spain’s matches and several World Cup games, for example), since both platforms carry the national and regional channels. DAZN does not.
Therefore, choosing one or the other will largely depend on which team you support and which competitions you want to watch:
- If your team is in the Segunda División, with DAZN and Movistar Plus you can watch all their matches.
- If what you enjoy are the major European leagues (including Spain’s) and you’re willing to pay more, DAZN is clearly your best option.
- If you also want to enjoy UEFA competitions, even if only to a limited extent, the decision is between Movistar Plus and Orange TV Libre.
- And if World Cup coverage is your main interest, your only option is DAZN.
Between Movistar Plus and Orange TV Libre, there’s a two-euro-per-month difference. The former is more expensive, yes, but in return it gives you the whole Segunda División, several matches from international leagues (Argentine, Brazilian, and Saudi leagues), and all the analysis programs, interviews, documentaries, etc., that Telefónica’s television produces.
Personally, I’m clear about it. I’m not going to give up the Champions League, so DAZN is out. Between Movistar Plus and Orange TV Libre, I’m sticking with the former, which for just 2 euros more per month gives me a lot more. And by signing up for free on DAZN, I can watch one more La Liga match each matchday. That said, at this point in the season and with the World Cup just around the corner, DAZN and its “Made in USA” plan is my only option.
Cover image | Movistar Plus
On Xataka Móvil | All the World Cup matches you’ll be able to watch for free on the TDT