Spanish CNMC fines Mediaset España Comunicación S.A. 111,000 €

On 12 September 2014, the Spanish National Authority for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has fined Mediaset España Comunicación S.A. EUR 111,000 for failing to separate editorial content from advertising which was deemed to constitute a serious breach of Article 14.2 and 14.4 of the Spanish General Law on Audiovisual Communication (LGCA).

Mediaset nationwide channels Cuatro and Energy had inserted dynamic advertising banners for several car brands that appeared in several editions of the sports news programmes "Deportes Cuatro" and "Tiki Taka Espress/Tiki Taka". The CNMC justified its decision by highlighting that the principle of separation of editorial from advertising content is one of the most important requirements of national and international audiovisual advertising regulation.

The CNMC (Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia) was established on 7 October 2013. The commission combines functions involving the smooth running of the markets and sectors which until now have been controlled by various authorities with responsibility for the sectors of energy, the telecoms market, competition, the railways, the postal sector, airports, and the audiovisual media.

• Press release (in Spanish)
• Full Sanction Decision (in Spanish)

Source: National Authority for Markets and Competition