Global Fútbol

The directors at RCD Espanyol are keenly aware of the importance of digitalisation, so much so that the Catalan club have invested resources in modernising the official website and in launching the club’s first Video on Demand platform. As a result, the club now boast an even slicker graphic and audiovisual identity, while the connection with supporters will grow stronger.

Los Pericos had already launched an impressive content project called Espanyol Media, through which the club broadcast women’s and youth football matches. Now, this summer, they have created a new web TV for the Espanyol Media module and were able to offer all the pre-season games of the men’s first team in digital format through the new Espanyol Media TV website and app. More content will be made available on the platform as the season progresses, with fans able to watch live matches, delayed broadcasts, podcasts, interviews, news reports and features.

Discussing the objectives behind this online video platform, the club stated: “We want to offer a personalised content package that includes the possibility, among others things, of accessing exclusive live and delayed broadcasts and, in short, we want to offer a service that connects better with our fans, based on an enhanced knowledge of their preferences and uses, both nationally and internationally.”

At the same time as making this web TV available to their fanbase, RCD Espanyol have also made improvements to the overall website. On this, the club added: “At the club, we decided to update the corporate website to offer an improved experience to our fans and in order to get to know them better, taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the technology at our disposal. With this new website, we’re seeking to update our corporate image, offer a better multi-device user experience, make the content more attractive, generate user journeys that make people stay on our platform longer and make all the service and purchase features easier for fans.”

This project was made possible thanks to collaborations with partners such as Tecsens, Signia Technologies, VIDNEO - Lavinia Tech Company and Izertis. It is already making a positive difference for fans, as they can find all the club services in one place and with one user access. By collecting user data, the website is more intuitive than it was before, making it easier for supporters to, for example, renew season tickets or purchase merchandise.

At the club, they understand how important it is to embrace digitalisation and to grow in this way. Reflecting on the improvements, the club said: “Digitalisation is important for enhancing the experience of our supporters, for simplifying the relationship between the club and its various stakeholders, and for generating new revenue streams from a greater understanding of our current and potential fans’ preferences.”

With the new website and web TV, there is so much more potential for growth for a club that was already achieving significant reach online. Last season, for example, Los Pericos generated more than 900,000 views on YouTube, more than 65 million impressions on Twitter and more than 11 million impressions on Facebook. Now, with the new website and the new Video on Demand platform, RCD Espanyol have the digital springboard to jump up to the next level.