Tania Llasera has faced another significant professional setback following her appearance on the eighth edition of MasterChef Celebrity. In a decision announced by the Basque public broadcaster, ETB has canceled the second season of Akelarre, a program she co hosted with Nerea Garmendia and Ana Goitia. The show, which aired only six episodes, will not continue its run on ETB2 where it previously aired weekly in a prime time slot, and instead will be available only through streaming platforms. This shift marks a notable change in how the program is delivered to audiences, signaling changes in scheduling and availability that affect viewers who followed the show closely.
The implications of this cancellation extend beyond a single season. The second season of Akelarre posted modest audience numbers, with a November 2 audience share around 2.5 percent and an average of roughly 15,000 viewers. Market analysis from the consulting firm Dos30 suggested that loyalty to the program would struggle to exceed a tenth of its audience, raising questions about overall engagement and the long-term viability of the format on the Basque channel. These metrics help explain why the broadcaster chose to halt production and pivot toward streaming content rather than continuing with conventional broadcast slots. This decision aligns with broader trends in regional media where audience behavior is shifting toward on-demand access, particularly for talk and debate formats that rely on timely cultural cues.
Akelarre began its journey on ETB2 under Valeria Ros, a move that helped revive a long-standing debate about the boundaries of humor two decades after the celebrated program Vaya semanita. The series even sparked discussions in the Basque Parliament, where lawmakers weighed in on whether the humor on Akelarre was appropriate within the region’s cultural and legal framework. Jasone Agirre, a member of EH Bildu, commented that Euskadi’s culture sometimes feels overlooked or misunderstood when viewed from a national Spanish perspective. Her remarks also touched on the responsibilities of EITB and its leadership to consider the legal and ethical lines that govern cultural broadcasting in the Basque context. This moment underscored the ongoing tension between regional identity and wider national discourse, a dynamic that broadcasters continually navigate to satisfy varied audiences while respecting local sensibilities and law. And in the midst of these debates, Andoni Aldekoa, the director of EITB, faced questions about whether the tone and content of Akelarre aligned with the institution’s mission and the expectations encoded in the region’s broadcasting policy. These conversations reflect the careful balance regional media must strike when experimenting with provocative humor and culturally resonant topics.
In reaction to the era of social media and public discourse, Valeria Ros herself later reflected on the purpose of humor in a post on Instagram. Her message emphasized that comedy should entertain without inflaming daily worries, and that it should be experienced by Basque audiences and viewers beyond the region alike. She stressed that the aim is to honor professionalism and to let audiences form their own interpretations without allowing online hostility to dictate the terms of dialogue. Her words highlighted a broader truth about public entertainment: humor can be a unifying force when it respects boundaries, invites conversation, and recognizes the talent within Euskadi. The remark also suggested that while criticism will surface in any creative venture, lasting value comes from maintaining a clear commitment to craft and audience engagement, rather than chasing controversy for its own sake. This stance resonates with many creators who navigate the pressures of a diverse, digitally connected viewership while staying true to their artistic and cultural roots. (Source attribution: Dos30)