SBT is ordered to pay honeymoon trip for reality couple

A couple who attended the “Fábrica de Casamentos” in June 2018 will finally be able to enjoy a honeymoon trip to Acapulco, Mexico. It was four years of a battle in court against SBT and they won the case. Judge José Francisco Matos ordered the broadcaster to pay R$ 26,000, an amount referring to travel expenses and also compensation for moral damages.

In addition to SBT, the companies Discovery Networks Brasil, Formata Produções e Conteúdo Ltda. and Cinqtours Viagens e Turismo Ltda., partners in the realization of the reality show, known for preparing a wedding party within seven days. In addition to the hype, some couples win awards as happened with nutritionist JM and video editor ES, according to columnist Ricardo Gentile from UOL.

SBT and the other companies can still appeal the decision. In the defense presented to the Court, the broadcaster argued that “uncontrollable situations occurred that delayed the moment of summer vacation on Mexican beaches”. “The wedding trip, unfortunately, was postponed due to numerous bureaucratic problems generated by the pandemic”, said SBT, which also mentioned that the award is a “donation” and, therefore, could be “refuse”. According to the broadcaster, no one can be compelled to make a donation “under the rod”.

Discovery, on the other hand, said that it did not maintain any contractual relationship with the authors of the lawsuit, that it has no knowledge of the promise to carry out the trip and that it cannot be held responsible for the facts. The company also stated that the honeymoon did not take place at first because the couple had not had a visa to the United States, where the stopover would take place. They also claimed that, in the sequence, the restriction measures imposed on account of the pandemic made it impossible to carry out the trip. Formata did not present a defense in the process.