Being able to observe a full Champions League broadcast from inside one of Spain’s most influential media networks offered a rare view into just how many voices, decisions, and rapid reactions sit behind the programmes listeners hear every week. It was nothing like I expected. Everybody was calm, quiet, laughing at times, and there was no stress at all. It felt as if I had more stress watching them rather than they had by being on air. Weird.
The main studio during a live broadcast feels like its own universe, especially when the “on air” sign turned red. Producers track every moment on multiple screens, hosts switch between analysis and breaking updates, and the coordination happening behind the glass is an incredible sight. What struck me most was how instinctive it all seemed: it almost felt like dancing, people with years of experience, clear roles, and a passion for the sport. Watching the team balance commentary, timing cues, and real-time reactions made the broadcast feel alive in a way that’s easy to miss when you’re only hearing and not seeing the final output.
Outside the main studio, we were guided through the wider COPE operation. We were able to see the newsrooms, production teams, technicians, and even a girl live on the radio playing her favorite tunes. Each space had its own purpose and atmosphere, but together they formed a seamless ecosystem where information is constantly created, shaped, and sent out into the world.
We also got to meet Arancha Rodriguez, who I’m proud to also call one of my professors at the program, who is a wonderful woman with a very important media presence in the football world.
