Overview of the General Law on Audiovisual Communication
The new General Law on Audiovisual Communication recently received final approval and marks a significant modernization of Spain’s regulatory framework to align with European standards. After securing support across both the Congress and the Senate, the legislation sets a clear direction for contemporary audiovisual policy, balancing freedom in programming with essential safeguards for viewers and a robust European content strategy.
A key change targets how advertising is scheduled on television. Previously, networks were limited to a maximum of 12 minutes of advertisements per hour. The updated regime allows more flexible placement of ad time throughout the day. Specifically, daytime windows are now capped at 144 minutes across the morning hours from six in the morning to six in the evening. In the evening peak, from six in the evening to midnight, the additional minutes become available to network planners without a per-hour cap. This shift provides broadcasters with greater freedom to optimize revenue while maintaining overall limits on weekly ad load.
Content that is not suitable for viewers under 18 must be scheduled between ten in the evening and six in the morning, reinforcing age-appropriate content guidelines. At the same time, channels gain greater agility to reorganize their grids without prior notice. The previous requirement to publish schedules three days in advance has been removed, opening the door to more dynamic counterprogramming aimed at attracting larger audiences at different times.
In the area of content production and broadcast obligations, the law directs television operators to allocate 51% of their emissions to European affairs. Additionally, at least 10% of broadcast hours should be dedicated to European works produced by independent companies. For pay television, there is a mandate to allocate a minimum portion of the catalog to European works as well, ensuring a meaningful presence for European cinema and television across platforms. The most debated provision concerns parity guarantees between large media groups and smaller production entities, acknowledging the distinct realities each type of producer faces and the potential implications for competitive balance.
The reform also extends to streaming platforms. Under the new regime, streaming services are required to contribute 0.9% of their revenue to public broadcasting or public-interest initiatives. This aligns with existing duties for free-to-air and paid television, now extending to video-on-demand services and user-upload platforms. The overarching goal of this contribution is to support public broadcasting and ensure a resource base that benefits the general viewer without imposing advertising burdens on the audience.
Overall, the law aims to harmonize national audiovisual regulation with broader European policies while preserving a diverse and competitive landscape. It acknowledges the changing ways audiences consume content and the need for clear rules that encourage European creative output, rigorous content standards, and a sustainable funding model for public media and independent producers. The changes touch on scheduling flexibility, youth content protections, European content quotas, and the financial framework for digital platforms, all aimed at delivering a coherent and fair audiovisual ecosystem for viewers and creators alike. [Citation: Official legislative summary and policy notes from the relevant government bodies and parliamentary committees.]