El Conquistador heads to TV screens with a bold new format
One of television’s boldest ventures has set a release date for the first edition of El Conquistador. The public channel will premiere the extreme adventure program next Monday and Tuesday, September 11 and 12, at 22:35, as announced in a press release issued this Friday. The show promises a blend of endurance, strategy and teamwork against a backdrop of rugged nature and unpredictable conditions.
Raquel Sanchez Silva and Julian Lantz will host the series, guiding a team of 33 adventurers led by a cadre of athletes. Joana Pastrana, Patxi Salinas, and Cesc Escola bring a wealth of experience, while Patxi Alonso serves as executive producer and Joxan Goni oversees the production. This combination aims to deliver a dynamic competition that mixes physical tests with strategic play, all under the pressure of a demanding environment.
El Conquistador challenges contestants to push their limits. The participants are divided into three teams called ATABEY (women), YOCAHU (men) and KOROOKOT (mixed). They must combine cunning, a drive for improvement, and sportsmanship to tackle original and arduous challenges in pursuit of a 100,000 euro prize. The show unfolds amid wilderness and extreme weather, where limited food and sleep intensify interpersonal dynamics and test resilience.
The production team, a group of about 250 people, filmed the program in a pristine natural setting within a national park in the Dominican Republic. The landscape around Samaná Bay offers beaches, cliffs, mangroves, mountains and caves rich in fauna and flora. Throughout filming, the team adhered to strict environmental guidelines to ensure respectful stewardship of the ecosystem and minimize ecological impact.
Raquel Sanchez Silva and Julian Iantzi
Raquel Sanchez Silva is a journalist and seasoned television host who excels in leading adventure and survival formats. She has become a recognizable face on RTVE, notably after hosting a long-running program with a focus on mastery and craft. Her presence is central to adapting El Conquistador for a national audience, guiding viewers through each tense moment and milestone.
Julian Iantzi brings nearly two decades of experience with the original competition and has become a familiar RTVE presence through his roles in major events. Known for his authoritative yet entertaining style, Iantzi navigates contestants’ toughest moments with a steady hand. His leadership lends credibility to the competition as it blends adventure, sport and survival.
Senior athletes as captains
Joana Pastrana, a former boxing world champion who later built a business career, stands as a trailblazing captain. She has claimed the European minimum weight title four times and secured three world titles, exemplifying resilience and leadership in high-pressure scenarios. Patxi Salinas, an international player with roots in the Spanish national team and a former Athletic Bilbao star, remains a trusted captain known for tactical insight and calm under fire. He continues his work coaching international teams. Cesc Escola is a familiar fitness professional with experience on RTVE programs such as Operación Triunfo and Muévete en casa, bringing discipline and energy to the leadership team.
33 heroes of El Conquistador
The roster of 33 contestants spans varied professions and passions, hailing from different corners of Spain. Through the competition, viewers will glimpse authentic personalities, unfiltered dreams, and the disappointments that come with testing limits. Among notable competitors is Mireia Cabañes, a Valencian surfer who lost a leg in childhood but rose to become the national champion and a world parasurfing champion. David Dry is another standout, celebrated as a Spanish cyclo-cross champion on multiple occasions. Seco, a long-recognized figure in this format, previously won the first season of its eighth edition and captained it for five seasons.
Beyond athletes, contestants include students, civil servants, hotel professionals, personal trainers, dancers, models, soldiers, butchers, cleaners, and even a nomadic baker. The show also highlights social influence through names such as Carmen Estéfano (Trimadre) and the Ramírez brothers, Pao and Mario (Keroseno and Finito), who represent the broader audience engaged by the program and its storytelling.