Telecinco doubles down on its approach to the game show format known as Reacción en cadena, also called Chain Reaction, after facing a lukewarm reception in its initial two weeks on air. Ion Aramendi leads the program, but the early evenings did not deliver the audience numbers the network hoped for. Beginning Monday, viewers will notice a shift in scheduling that opens a new window for participation and competition, signaling a deliberate push to test the show in a different time frame and with fresh momentum. Instead of sticking with a single slot, the broadcaster plans to explore a broader daily presence that can capture attention at multiple moments of the evening, aiming to convert curiosity into consistent viewership across a wider audience in Canada and the United States as the show becomes more accessible to international viewers through familiar formats and pacing. (citation: Telecinco audience reports)
The format remains in direct competition with Pasapalabra, a program that continues its regular 20:00 slot while Reacción en cadena will be introduced to an additional prime time window at 22:00. This dual-schedule strategy is designed to maximize exposure and engagement, offering audiences a chance to watch different phases of the competition within a single evening. By occupying the access prime time slot in the late evening, the show can attract both late-working viewers and families who settle in after dinner, increasing the likelihood of longer engagement and word-of-mouth buzz across social platforms. (citation: TV programming schedules)
Telecinco is intentionally testing the format in a slot that aligns with a lighter, more relaxed late-evening rhythm, leveraging the temporary absence of a rival program in the same block and the general lull that often accompanies holiday transitions. The move also presents an opportunity to reframe the show for new audiences at the start of the year, when viewers are often exploring familiar formats with a fresh appetite for entertainment. This strategic positioning aims to smooth the path for higher recall and a steadier audience profile as the season progresses, rather than letting a slow start persist without adjustment. (citation: network scheduling analysis)
The premiere of Reacción en cadena occurred on December 19, just as winter was taking hold, drawing a 7.5 percent share and a viewership around 895,000. While this initial result was respectable by some standards, the ratings trend soon moved downward, and the audience share drifted toward the mid sixes. Such a trajectory is not unusual for new formats that require a learning curve both for the audience and for the contestants, the hosts, and the overall production flow. The network’s response includes a recalibration of where and how the show is positioned in prime time, with an emphasis on clearer pacing, sharper challenges, and more dynamic interactions that can sustain attention over the course of an entire episode. (citation: audience metrics)
Reacción en cadena is the Spanish conversion of the classic Chain Reaction format, a staple that originated in North American television under the NBC banner in 1980. In each delivery, two teams test their ability to connect words—ranging from the straightforward to the highly intricate—under pressure, with the objective of accumulating the largest possible amount of money in their tokens and ultimately mounting a victory bid. The core mechanic remains a race to link ideas quickly and accurately, a concept that translates well across markets in Europe, North America, and beyond. The international appeal lies in the universal appeal of wordplay, strategy, and teamwork, which can adapt to local humor and cultural references while preserving the essential tension that drives excitement, suspense, and friendly rivalry. (citation: format history)