TVE is gearing up for a season centered on a vibrant new format called The Incredible Duo. The public broadcaster unveiled details at a press conference this Monday, signaling a confident step forward. John and a half will host the show as master of ceremonies, anchoring a season built on music, spectacle, and entertainment.
“We needed a veteran presence to lead this format,” commented Ana Maria Bordas on the signing of the original director, an Andalusian presenter for RTVE. “Each delivery will feel different. We wanted a strong focus on entertainment and a truly musical centerpiece.”
Produced by Ganga, this competition pairs artists in duos formed without prior knowledge of their partners. The concept teams singers from different generations, mixing youth with experience. RTVE described the mission as reinterpreting Spain’s musical heritage through creativity and artistic freedom. (RTVE press release)
Xavier Square, the manager of the production company, believes this could become one of the company’s flagship formats. “It is one of the great formats we have produced,” he noted, adding that music culture will be given room to breathe while serving the public service mission. (RTVE press release)
From the outset, the artists expressed strong interest in the format and an eagerness to connect with viewers. This is not a talent hunt designed to discover someone new; it is a competition where only one duo can triumph. Participants acknowledge the suspense the show creates, as nobody knows who will be paired with whom. (RTVE press release)
The cast of The Incredible Duo, scheduled to premiere at the end of September, joined the press conference. One standout participant, Main Belen, spoke about the intergenerational mix as splendid and essential. He emphasized that the stage should be a place for sharing, insisting that generosity is non-negotiable. Victor Manuel highlighted the importance of live music, a feature he considers crucial, while Carlos Goni reflected on his return to television after two decades, choosing to perform live rather than lip-sync. He described every program as a challenge and an opportunity for growth. (RTVE press release)
Anthony José, representing the youth group, stated that television needs a program like this to continue learning. A young contestant added that stepping out of comfort zones is part of the journey, and the winner of OT 2020 agreed that competition should be healthy and constructive, even when it costs something to endure. (RTVE press release)
The mechanics of The Incredible Duo
In the initial episodes, eight musical duos will be formed without participants seeing each other. The process creates two groups guided solely by listening and vocal quality, not appearance. The formation phase is followed by a sequence of head-to-head duels among the duos in each group, gradually narrowing the field until the battles decide which teams advance and which are eliminated. (RTVE press release)
Live audience voting then determines which duo continues and which one exits, shaping the final standings and identifying the winning pair. Each duo will be paired with a younger cohort of artists, including notable figures such as Antonio José, Nía, Agoney, La Cebolla, Marta Soto, Yoly Saa, Chema Rivas, and Paul Alone. (RTVE press release)