Rarely do scholars get to shape institutions from the inside. José Manuel Pérez Tornero, born in 1954 in Almería, is a professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and recognized as one of Europe’s leading authorities on educational television. He continues to blend theory with action and now leads the RTVE Company after a reform agreed upon by government and opposition decades ago, steering the institution toward new frontiers of knowledge.
We begin with a classic question about Parliament and audience reach. Should a public television station worry about its viewers? The response is nuanced. The council assumed office in March 2021. Investment in programs had been limited, but as funding increased, the audience target rose in the latter half of the previous year. The current months have shown momentum with a positive trend. The director notes that the road ahead is slow, with ups and downs that are not solely driven by one-off events like football or a single tournament. Still, the direction feels steady, and the next appearance does not scare him.
What balance has the operation achieved, considering Eurovision and the journey from Benidorm Fest to Turin? The answer places the operation in a broader context. The team was not initially part of the international concert; it had to earn a seat at the European Broadcasting Union Executive. The post-pandemic recovery played a crucial role, helping regions such as Benidorm revive tourism and economy through coordinated efforts with the regional government and the city council. The festival supported young musicians and broadened the public’s engagement with music, resulting in audience success and a strong showing in Turin. The approach aims to connect with younger audiences and to sustain this momentum through ongoing programs that nurture new talent.
Broadening the scope of the idea is a deliberate strategy. The goal is not to chase fleeting triumphs but to build lasting opportunities. If Ukraine steps back, the BBC may assume a leading role, yet plans are already in motion for a Latin American edition of the festival and continued competition in future Eurovision events.
In other words, a Latin American Eurovision is envisioned, with an approach that mirrors the spirit of the United States while creating a distinct, innovative model. The plan would fold in elements from the OTI festival in a new light, leveraging contemporary platforms such as social networks to increase global visibility for Latin music, including both popular and traditional forms.
Is this operation an example of the public television mission at this stage? Music is viewed as a powerful form of expression, embracing both popular and classical traditions. Public television’s mission is to empower citizens and enrich culture, which makes a strong commitment to music essential. The strategy includes establishing an orchestra and choir as symbols of the network’s values, decentralizing activities to link with dissemination efforts and educational outreach, and ensuring culture spreads across all regions. Science carries significant risk, but public television should meet this challenge when democracy, critical thinking, and quality journalism are at stake. The newsroom must be supported by robust journalistic standards, despite industry constraints. Public or private journalism is valuable, and the channel aims to be a reliable ally.
Sports also matter. The European Sport Directive emphasizes the role of sport in education, equality, and healthy living. The network plans to highlight not only the main national events but also lesser-known sports, ensuring broader participation. The commitment extends to UEFA and the World Cup, with a renewed emphasis on Olympic sports and regional federations. The aim is to broaden the public’s connection to sport and to strengthen the broader cultural fabric around athletics.
Would the network reclaim broadcasting rights for major football competitions? The focus remains on national teams and Olympic sports, with a clear stance on supporting both European and global events. The distribution of audiovisual rights is seen as part of a broader European model of sport that requires defending the public broadcaster’s stake in sports coverage and promoting audiovisual leadership across Europe. The organization continues to explore sustainable financing while preserving essential public service values.
Regional strength is a core priority. The group operates 17 regional centers and two production hubs located in the Canary Islands and Barcelona, with plans to establish two additional centers. This dispersal supports a national conversation by ensuring journalists are present in every province, enabling a coherent and inclusive national discourse. The strategy emphasizes moving away from a centralized model toward a more integrated, culturally diverse Spain. The public broadcaster plans to share resources with partner networks and regional outlets, strengthening the democratic ideals of quality journalism through collaboration rather than isolation. Organizational changes have begun this summer and are expected to mature over two years, with cultural adjustments along the way.
What does the organizational evolution entail? The transformation introduces distinct radio, television, and interactive divisions under unified management. Newsrooms will transition toward a single platform serving the entire network, including regional Radio Nacional. Shared services will migrate to cloud-based solutions, and new regional centers in Valencia and Zaragoza will host educational initiatives and expand production capacity. The Canary Islands operations will move closer to regional production hubs, guiding strategic decisions for local content.
Programming will undergo a significant cultural leap. A focus on culture and creativity will shape a new era for television, radio, and digital platforms, weaving science, culture, and critical thinking into the grid. Talent will be sought wherever it exists, and events will span the country. Sports will remain a cornerstone, but there will be broader support for federations, university and school-level sports, and both popular and classical arts. A platform for recognized federations will coexist with a separate space for university and school athletics, complemented by a robust emphasis on music cinema. A co-production fund with Arte en Strasbourg will consolidate art programs across channels, providing a new model for collaboration and artistic exchange.