Spain TV regs protect kids
Gov't determined to pass law before Christmas vacation
The government will ban 18+ programming from 6 a.m.-10 p.m., 13+ shows from 8-9 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. weekdays and 9-12 a.m. weekends, when children often watch TV unaccompanied.
The regs must be finalized, but the government looks determined to pass them before Christmas vacation begins.
Spanish broadcasters have ignored some E.U. or national rulings, such as those regarding commercials airtime. But they're regarding the no-go timeslots seriously, with good cause. Operators fear a weightier government crackdown if they fail to comply.
The government's trash TV crusade is already transforming domestic programming.
Telecinco's spoof current affairs show "Original Sin," which airs from 9:30-10 p.m., has reduced its focus on the sex lives of the rich and famous in favor of political coverage.
