RTVE fined over €300,000 by CNMC for unauthorized MasterChef alcohol ads
Spain’s competition regulator, the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC), sanctioned the public broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) for two serious infringements involving the cooking shows MasterChef and MasterChef Celebrity. The violations occurred in episodes aired on La 1 on 5 May and 10 November 2024, where wine advertisements were shown between 10:42 and 13:55, outside the permitted broadcast window of 20:30 to 05:00 for alcoholic drinks of ≤20 % ABV.
The ads lacked the required low‑risk consumption message and a permanent “publicidad” overlay, and also promoted related MasterChef products such as the restaurant, official app, camps, books and video game without proper labeling. CNMC initially proposed a fine of €512,168, which was reduced to €307,300 after RTVE voluntarily accepted responsibility and paid the amount early.
CNMC emphasised that product‑placement notices do not replace the legal obligation to clearly identify commercial communications.
Entities: Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia · Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) · Holaluz · MasterChef · Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) · Spain
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The infractions involved wine ads aired between 10:42 and 13:55 on 5 May and 10 Nov 2024, outside the permitted 20:30‑05:00 window for alcoholic drinks of ≤20 % ABV. (the infractions were for airing wine advertisements during daytime ... outside legally allowed hours)
- [● 7 SOURCES] CNMC fined RTVE €307,300 for two serious infractions involving MasterChef advertising. (RTVE fined over €300,000 by CNMC for unauthorized MasterChef alcohol ads)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The original proposed fine was €512,168 but was reduced after RTVE voluntarily accepted responsibility and paid early. (initial fine of €512,168 reduced after early payment)
- [● 7 SOURCES] CNMC stated that product‑placement notices do not replace the legal requirement for clear advertising identification. (product placement does not substitute clear advertising identification)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The sanction also covered promotion of the MasterChef restaurant, official app, camps, books and video game without proper labeling. (promotion of other MasterChef‑related products without proper labeling)
- [● 7 SOURCES] RTVE failed to display the required “publicidad” overlay and the mandatory low‑risk consumption message during the ads. (advertising without identifying and missing consumption message)