Spain Has Too Much Advertising on Television, Says EC

The European Commission sent Spain a reasoned opinion for failing to comply with the television advertising rules in the Television without frontiers Directive. The infringement procedure, started in July 2007, is based on a monitoring report that found that the main TV channels in Spain, both publicly funded and commercial, failed regularly and by some margin to restrict advertising and teleshopping spots to 12 minutes per clock hour. The purpose of this limit, which is maintained in the new Directive on Audiovisual Media Services without frontiers, is to prevent audiences having their viewing interrupted by too much advertising and to promote quality television across Europe.

"Spain has not taken the measures required to ensure compliance with the European limit of 12 minutes of spots per clock hour. I am calling on the Spanish authorities to take urgent steps to come into line with the TVWF Directive. If they don't, I will ask the Commission to refer this to the Court of Justice," said Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. "All advertising and teleshopping spots -- including "telepromotions" spots, "advertorials" or however else they are described -- must be taken as counting towards the 12 minutes per clock hour. To interpret the rule in any other way is to fail to show viewers and citizens the respect they deserve. Rest assured that the Commission will defend their interests."