This may be the first time this has happened. Last Friday, TVE 1’s prime time audience dropped at an unprecedented rate, dipping below La 2. I could be mistaken, but there is no evidence to suggest something similar occurred before, and nothing comes to mind that matches it.
Kantar Media’s measurement center noted that TVE 1 ranked last, even trailing La 2. TVE’s smaller sibling drew an audience within its usual modest range, while the main channel saw a collapse that day. The program touted as the pinnacle of the night occupied the two most important hours of prime time, capturing only 3.3 percent of the screen share. The disappointment around this program was expected, and it was mentioned here when it aired.
The choice of historical figures in the segment was particularly controversial. It mixed a wide and unusual lineup. A motorcycle racer faced paintings by Picasso, the king of Spain competed with the leader of a popular fashion brand, and the fashion figure won. A well-known journalist was paired with political figures, including a former prime minister, in a way that drew public concern. A viewer had warned that Christopher Columbus is not Spanish by origin, being Genoese, and Italian by heritage. The production team, coordinated by a prominent journalist, faced strong reactions to what many saw as entertainment being treated as history. TVE leadership seems intent on prioritizing entertainment, yet the numbers show it did not entertain the audience. The result is a clear fiasco. The most logical move would be to withdraw this program and reassess its direction.
On the Telediario broadcast at 15:00 on March 11, reporters did exemplary work covering the events at Atocha, El Pozo, and Santa Eugenia, reflecting the memory of a tragedy from two decades ago. They also delivered a contrasting message: a political figure from FAES who, instead of apologizing, repeated a stance of unawareness regarding an Islamic attack. The contrast with earlier coverage was striking. Even their diplomats in Washington downplayed aspects of the story in interviews. This coverage marks a return to a more trusted information standard, with La 1 once again being seen as the network viewers turn to for clear, informative reporting.