RTVE’s bold move with the Benidorm Festival is widely acknowledged. Three years ago, the public broadcaster chose to treat the Eurovision Song Contest with seriousness, turning the selection process into a television event that doubles as a showpiece for Spanish music. The outcome is a branded platform that attracts broad audiences and elevates the competition beyond mere voting—it’s become a cultural moment and a recognizable television brand in its own right.
With three editions already in the books, the Benidorm Festival has delivered strong audience numbers and far-reaching influence that extend beyond RTVE. The festival resonates in street conversations, on social media, and across rival networks and media outlets that analyze what happened in Alicante last weekend. Songs like Zorra have achieved global attention and positioned themselves prominently in the Eurovision conversation, demonstrating the festival’s impact on the wider music ecosystem.
The success of this format inspired another festival to emerge, clearly drawing from RTVE’s model. The International Spanish Song Festival aspires to honor classic international song traditions, drawing ideas from renowned events like Italy’s Sanremo and adapting them to celebrate Spanish music and its influence on the contemporary international scene.
This new event is a music competition staged in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences. The festival’s dates are yet to be confirmed, and it is protected by the General Society of Authors and Editors (SGAE) and the Valencian government. An official presentation is scheduled for February 14 as part of its rollout to the public.
While similarities between the two initiatives are apparent, observers note clear distinctions in scope and intent. The newer festival follows the Benidorm template in some visual and organizational aspects, yet it seeks to establish its own identity aimed at showcasing a wide range of musical voices on a national and international stage.
According to organizers, the International Spanish Song Festival intends to unite talented artists and composers from home and abroad, embracing genres from flamenco and pop to rock and reggaeton. The event is built around recognizing emerging talents, with monetary awards designed to reward both performance and composition. The artist prize is set at 50,000 euros, while the composer prize stands at 30,000 euros, emphasizing the festival’s dual focus on performance and songwriting craft.