À Punt has just finished a controversial trial that drew considerable attention, though the official press release stops short of calling it a success. The public broadcaster reported a 7% viewership share on Friday, March 17, a statistic the communications team frames as a modest gain enough to nudge the network into the spotlight alongside two larger national channels, Cuatro and La Sexta. What they omit is that the 7% figure is not unusual for public networks in other regions, where audience shares in local languages regularly reach higher levels. Catalan-language broadcasts typically sit around 13% to 14%, Basque- and Galician-language programming also draw strong numbers, and in Andalusia, Canal Sur, as well as in Castilla-La Mancha broadcasts, show comparable engagement. It should be noted that Valencia and the surrounding region host a sizeable population hub in Zaragoza, where audiences are known to tune in in large numbers; those viewing metrics often press the limits of what the capital can sustain.
Regional television recorded a peak of 7% on Friday when festivities in Valencia and Castellón, two of the community’s provincial capitals, overlapped. This figure isn’t a cause for celebration, yet it was noteworthy. A subsequent dip to 6.8% occurred on Sunday, March 19, as the Fallas celebrations and the Magdalena festival drew to a close. Given the scale of the live production and the technology involved, even modest shifts in audience share are worth watching. The numbers suggest that rival regional networks exercise their influence quietly, often without fans noticing, especially when the programming aligns with major local events.
À Punt, the king is naked
From a broad vantage point, the provinces of Valencia and Castellón reveal a different dynamic than the one periodically emphasized by the network’s internal briefings. Many observers note a cautious editorial approach that frames coverage within county boundaries rather than exploring wider regional contexts. That constraint, some say, shapes the tone and limits the investigative possibilities. Yet, in the midst of this, a sense of accountability persists—journalists and audience alike deserve clarity about how numbers are gathered and what they really signify for public broadcasting. As events unfold, scrutiny will likely focus on messaging, transparency, and the practical outcomes of the broadcaster’s strategy. We’ll see how the narrative evolves and whether the journey toward a clearer, more open presentation continues.