Stranger Things advertising covers have been ordered for removal by Barcelona City Council. The council has issued a formal requirement to Telefónica to remove a series of promotional street covers installed to advertise the fifth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things. Consequently, the council argues that the installation violates municipal ordinances regarding the use of public space for commercial purposes. This action follows Barcelona’s ongoing efforts to maintain urban decorum.
The covers, which disguise telecommunications supply conduits as manhole covers, were placed at four high-profile locations across the city. While they posed no safety risk to pedestrians, officials stated that the removal is a matter of “urban decorum” and strict adherence to the city’s landscape regulations. This enforcement aligns with the city’s broader ‘Pla Endreça’ initiative.
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Home » Stranger Things Advertising Covers: Barcelona Orders Removal
Stranger Things advertising covers violate ordinances on prime streets
The controversial Stranger Things advertising covers were located in some of Barcelona’s most emblematic and busy thoroughfares. Two were situated on Passeig de Gràcia, with others at Portal de l’Àngel and Carrer de Sants. The installations were part of a broader national campaign managed by Telefónica (Movistar) to generate hype for the popular sci-fi horror series. This situation mirrors another recent instance of corporate advertising in public space sparking controversy.
According to City Council sources, the covers constitute “an intervention with a clearly promotional purpose” on elements of the public domain not intended for advertising. The municipality warned that if the company did not comply, administrative proceedings would be initiated.
“The municipal regulations establish the prohibition of carrying out advertising activities on elements of urban furniture,” council sources explained. “Therefore, fixed installations on public roads cannot be used as a support for advertising messages, except in expressly authorised cases, a circumstance that does not apply here.”
Telefónica confirms removal of Stranger Things covers
The dispute appears set to be resolved without extended legal wrangling. Sources from Telefónica confirmed yesterday that the commemorative covers are already in the process of being replaced by standard conventional covers. The company noted that the promotional campaign, which began in late 2025, had actually concluded weeks ago.
The campaign initially launched at the Movistar flagship store on Gran Vía in Madrid before expanding to include 41 decorated covers across various Spanish towns. In addition, the initiative was designed as a scavenger hunt, encouraging fans to locate the covers and share photographs on social media to win prizes.
The ‘Endreça’ plan and public space policy
This enforcement action highlights the stark contrast between Barcelona’s approach to public space and that of other major capitals like London, Madrid, or Paris, which are often more permissive regarding private sponsorships in public areas.
The move aligns with the “Pla Endreça” (Tidy Up Plan) championed by the government of Mayor Jaume Collboni. A key objective of the plan is to prevent the city’s public space from becoming a “bulletin board” for commercial interests. Meanwhile, the council maintains a strict stance on visual pollution; in the last year alone, municipal employees removed approximately 350 unauthorised posters from streets and squares daily. For more on urban advertising policies, see the Barcelona City Council website.
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