Twenty-two years after that iconic moment known as Operation Victory, Rosa López, David Bisbal, David Bustamante, and Chenoa—among many others—return as seasoned talents, ready to take on new challenges alongside Amazon Prime Video. The platform unveils a slew of features announced during the final casting of the 18 contestants who will vie to enter the Academy on Thursday the 16th. Gala 0 airs next Monday, the 20th, at 22:00. The question remains which 16 will earn their place and begin broadcasting live, with premieres, post-premieres, and extensions rolling out. These programs will reach 30 countries and territories across Latin America for the first time.
These are the 12 key elements driving the renovation:
Galas
The premieres on TVE now run for extended hours, offering backstage glimpses into rehearsals and daily life at the Academy, including celebrations and salsa. The broadcasts last about 90 minutes and center on music while briefly delving into rehearsals and preparation. The show inherits the baton from the previous host lineup and stars a legend with a long TV history. This season features a Christmas gala released on December 25. There will be neither nominations nor eliminations in that episode.
Set and Green Room
This year, Noemi Galera will be on set, alongside a team of tutors who will interact with the host and contestants during the premiere. The Green Room serves as the waiting area before performances. The set has expanded by 100 square meters, creating the most magnificent footprint in the show’s history. It will showcase cutting-edge audio and visuals, including 11 high-tech cameras, LED and laser lighting, and a 5.1 surround audio mix.
Image caption: Inside the new OT set during the talent presentation. INES ALVAREZ
New Academy
Fans look forward to glimpses of the living quarters where the 16 contestants reside. The space spans 200 square meters and has been fully redesigned, excluding the bedrooms. The kitchen, living area, and shared spaces have all been upgraded, and a new greenhouse adds natural light and greenery to every room. A 55-camera robotics system records daily life, ensuring contestants feel less confined while supporting sustainability through renewable energy, recycling, and reduced plastics. The recording studio reduces the need to travel to outside locations.
Image caption: Interior view of the academy. AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
After the premiere
Starting the week after the premiere, a 45-minute feature called Posgalas, hosted by Masi Rodríguez, will capture reflections on the gala set, performances, and the overall experience. Viewers will witness the moment contestants depart the academy, guided by Noemi Galera and the on-set teachers.
OT a día and the 24-hour channel
The daily life segment introduces the singer Xuso Jones in an extra daily format, airing Tuesday through Saturday at 22:00 and presenting content not seen in the standard episodes. A 24-hour live YouTube channel will host guests and collaborators. For the first time in OT history, contestants will briefly step out of confinement to participate on air.
Judge
The panel is fully renewed this season. Three core members represent different facets of the music industry: a Grammy-nominated singer, Buika; a music producer from Red Heels by Sebastián Yatra, Pablo Rous; and music journalist Cris Regatero from LOS40. A rotating weekly judge will join them to assess the contestants.
Choir singing and yoga lessons
New disciplines join the core curriculum to broaden the artistic education. A weekly choir session is led by a dedicated vocal coach, Gerard Ibáñez. A two-hour weekly master class will be directed by visiting artists. A yoga class will be offered to help contestants unwind. This fresh approach follows earlier seasons and reflects a holistic training philosophy.
Voting
Voting unfolds via the OT app, available in app stores for iOS and Android. A notable innovation lets fans vote daily before and during live galas. The final vote remains determined by a dedicated panel, but fan participation is significant.
Alexa and TikTok Area
Alexa serves as OT’s on-set expert, prompting questions, delivering weekly premiere summaries, and fielding surveys. OT will also launch a TikTok “Operación Triunfo” area, Spain’s first variety-show style integration. Contestants will join a recurring trend every two weeks, with the community voting on the best moments. Every Saturday on OT al día, creators Ibán García and Belén Gaynor will recap the week’s top moments for fans.
Shopping for OT
OT merchandise will be centralized on Amazon’s platform, featuring Academy costumes, casual wear, and exclusive branded items. Fans can discover a range of apparel and unique collector’s items tied to the show and the victors’ gear.
How to access?
For younger audiences, two straightforward access paths exist. The OT hub portal serves as a reference for galas, post-premieres, the day-to-day schedule, and Alexa integration. Fans can also watch through the official app, which hosts all content, voting, and playlists linked to the Academy’s schedule. Access to content requires a login for certain features.
For subscribers only
The core difference with the free TV broadcast is subscription access. A basic plan is available at 4.99 euros per month or 49.90 euros per year, with Prime Student offers that halve the price for eligible students. The subscription unlocks premieres and exclusive content, along with the broader Prime benefits and a trial period for new users.
Citation notes: The information above reflects entertainment programming trends and platform features as reported by platform announcements and industry coverage. Future updates may adjust airing times and content availability.