The Spanish regulator CNMC has fined the national broadcasters Mediaset and Atresdmedia a total of €77.1 million for anti-competitive practices in the commercialisation of TV advertising.
In a statement, it says that they have developed commercial policies in the sale of TV ads to concentrate on their channels, which together account for over 85% of the market.
As a result, they limit the capacity of other TV channels from securing ad revenue and risk them being expelled from the market.
Mediaset and Atesmedia have generally imposed higher minimum investment quotas on their advertisers, with failure to comply resulting in possible penalties.
Both also pay incentives to media agencies called extraprimas and sell advertising for packages of channels, with commercials being simulcast.
The broadcasters have been given three months to modify their commercial strategies and fined €38.9 million in the case of Mediaset and €38.2 million Atresmedia.
Although no appeal is possible in administrative proceedings, they can lodge a contentious-administrative one in the National Court within two months.
