Kantar Media to control Spain’s audiovisual sector

Iñaki Ferreras | 25-09-2012

Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism has hired international consultancy Kantar Media Company for a period of two years to "monitor and control" content from broadcast chains to see if they are meeting the Audiovisual Communication Act.

Such contracts are not a new phenomenon in Spain due to the department’s recognition of a lack of technical needs or manpower to monitor output. However some have objected to Kantar’s €1.9 million fee for monitoring issues such as the protection of minors and advertising.

According to the technical specifications of the contract, Kantar Media must also inform the government if TV providers transmit pornography or gratuitous violence in programmes or advertisements in violation of the current Audiovisual Law. In the same vein, Kantar Media must assure the Secretary of State of transmission of content for over 18s at the designated times, likewise with gambling programmes.

The company also watch that advertising falls within agreed slots and must provide reports on audience data and programming changes.