First Dates marks its seventh anniversary this Monday on Cuatro. The show, hosted by Carlos Sobera, reaches this milestone after arranging 8,300 culinary-style dates in its restaurant setting and giving more than 17,000 diverse individuals the chance to pursue love on television. It also highlights the emotional and sexual diversity that exists across the country, turning personal stories into a broader social conversation.
On the day of the seven-year celebration, YOTELE features Sobera in conversation about his recent Warner Bros ITVP appointment, including projects such as The Circle of Celebrities and Kitchen Nightmares. In its span, the program has established itself as one of the most successful and influential formats in the Mediaset lineup.
First Dates turns seven on Cuatro and is noted for reaching anniversaries with notable public attention, something not many shows accomplish with the same impact.
Television is a demanding landscape, hard to predict or fully decode. When a creator takes a theater or cinema project and targets the right audience, there is a chance of success, but longevity remains uncertain in a market that rewards rapid, constant novelty. At seven years, this format demonstrates resilience, while always inviting more contributions, even if the horizon only promises seven months at a time. The challenge remains formidable.
Matías Roure once stated that true love is the cornerstone of lasting success. Within the Mediaset universe, First Dates stands out as a program where ordinary people come forward. Is that the key to ongoing success? For Sobera, authenticity in the cast is essential. Real people, with genuine stories and a range of backgrounds, come forward with their own realities—whether they are carrying baggage or hope. They tell their truths openly, which resonates with viewers who recognize themselves in those moments. The familiar format, with its same structure, remains compelling because each participant responds to questions and situations in unique ways, creating fresh narratives in every episode.
Among the more than 17,000 singles who have appeared in the show, some encounters continue to amaze audiences years later.
The idea of honesty and surprise is a recurring theme. When viewers think they have seen everything, new stories emerge—stories born from past experiences, unexpected quirks, and genuine personalities. That unpredictability is what sustains the appeal of the program.
One memorable moment involved a contestant who stumbled onto the show multiple times under a false pretense, attempting to mislead the hosts. The moment tested credibility and the audience’s trust, but the team addressed it promptly, reinforcing the seriousness of the format and the importance of sincerity in the dating process. The incident did not return, as the individual refined their approach and vanished from the circuit.
What has surprised Sobera most over seven years of First Dates? The host cites remarkable instances of kindness and humanity, including participants with Down syndrome who reminded everyone of the pure, intense ways people can feel and express love. These moments underscore that love arrives in many forms and with equal depth of feeling, encouraging viewers to embrace diversity and empathy.
There are also lighter memories—such as a 72-year-old participant with three girlfriends who amusingly described his system for managing multiple relationships, a narrative that stays with viewers for its humor while reminding the audience that the show captures all kinds of realities. The restaurant setting becomes a stage where genuine human connection can appear, sometimes in surprising and unforgettable ways.
Regarding the dynamics at the restaurant, Sobera explains that the aim isn’t just about romance for those on screen. The real objective is to provide a space where people feel safe offering moments of vulnerability. The first face a person sees forces a choice—whether to steady themselves or to reveal their insecurities. In that sense, the show acts as a catalyst for courage, and audiences respond to the honesty displayed on screen. Respect for the contestants is a constant, given the courage required to participate in First Dates.
Another significant aspect of the program is its inclusive stance on relationships and sexual orientation. The production supports diverse forms of love, encouraging acceptance and normalization across different identities. The team has supported movements advocating LGBTQIA+ visibility, aiming to convey that all expressions of love deserve recognition and dignity. The overarching lesson is simple: every path to partnership is valid, and society benefits when different relationship models are understood and respected. The program aspires to reflect ongoing social change, with the hope that younger viewers internalize these values as they grow. While progress has been made, there is acknowledgment that further evolution will unfold over decades, not days, in this country, and the show remains a part of that conversation.