The recent General Law of Audio-Visual Communication was approved on Wednesday, June 22. After winning support from the Congress of Deputies, the new legislation also received backing from the Senate, finalizing a framework that aligns Spanish audio-visual rules with European standards. The overarching aim is to modernize the sector while preserving public interests and aligning regulatory practices with the European Union framework.
A key change directly affecting television operation concerns advertising scheduling. Previously, networks were limited to twelve minutes of ads per hour. The new law eliminates that per-hour cap, granting broadcasters greater flexibility to allocate ad time. In the morning hours, between 06:00 and 18:00, the total ad time can reach a maximum of 144 minutes. In the afternoon and evening, traditionally the peak viewing period, broadcasters can distribute remaining minutes as they see fit, with no fixed hourly cap. This shift offers channels the option to tailor commercial breaks to viewer patterns and program formats, potentially increasing ad revenue while altering viewer experience.
Content restrictions also shift under the reform. Content deemed unsuitable for audiences under 18 is now required to be scheduled between 22:00 and 06:00 local time. Channels also gain greater freedom to reconfigure their grids on shorter notice, without the prior obligation to publish schedules three days in advance. This flexibility could enable more dynamic counterprogramming strategies as networks compete for audience share, though it may challenge viewers who rely on predictable lineups.
In the broader audiovisual ecosystem, the law directs television stations to devote a significant portion of their output to European matters. Specifically, 51% of broadcast hours must feature European content, with at least 10% of total hours produced by independent European production companies. Pay television outlets face a related obligation to ensure 30% of their catalog comprises European works. The most debated element of the reform is its equal treatment of large media groups and smaller production companies, a policy choice that carries potential implications for production diversity and market dynamics.
Platforms and streaming services are not exempt from these changes. Under the new framework, streaming platforms will be required to contribute 0.9% of their revenue to public broadcasting support. This contribution mirrors the approach already in place for free-to-air and pay television and extends to on-demand and user-generated video platforms. The overarching intent is to sustain public broadcasting without relying solely on traditional advertising, while ensuring a level of support that reflects the value of streamed content in the media landscape. For viewers, the aim is to preserve a robust public service dimension within a rapidly evolving audiovisual market.