Sixth season kicks off this Sunday with a broadcast that reflects on a turbulent era. The winter run marks the 15th anniversary of the program’s original format, recorded with its own distinctive voice. The episode threads through a controversial period in Spanish history, using the lens of finance and politics to discuss the influence of major banks and the power they wield. It also revisits two decades of headlines around a famed banking collapse, offering a current perspective on lessons learned and missteps observed.
The current host and director, Gonzo, recalls watching a rising star join the La Sexta network back in 2008. He has since led Salvados for four of those 15 years, gaining a wealth of experience along the way. The interview style mirrors a scene with a powerful figure from the 1990s who had extreme influence, including an era where a trusted investor held sway over national leadership. During a visit to a farm linked to some of the era’s most notorious figures, the team touched on sensitive topics with a candor that felt almost playful, yet purposeful.
The journalist notes that the show has long aimed to explain the relationship between financial power and political life. Between what is disclosed and what is published, a narrative forms about the economic influence surrounding Spain’s modern rulers and the people who shaped those dynamics. Conde has always been seen as a compelling communicator, growing more candid with time. How he presents his story—and the way it is delivered—captivates audiences. The question becomes not only what is said, but how it is said, and the way the delivery shapes interpretation.
measuring the opponent
Entering the interview was never easy. It took a year of careful negotiations to reassure all parties that background checks were unnecessary, and that the aim was an open conversation. The host explains that once a person sits down, they recognize the gravity of what is discussed because the conversation involves highly intelligent subjects. He speaks of a strategic approach to the dialogue, where the interviewee plays a decisive role in how the exchange unfolds. He remembers telling the guest that it would be an honor to participate in a challenging game.
The guest is known for choosing words with care. There are moments when certain topics are clearly on the table, and others that are revealed only after trust has grown. The discussion covers the guest’s role as a longtime adviser to the monarch and as a banking executive, including how far the reach of financial power extended. They also touch on a specific political party’s financing and its negotiations with a leader, and how the guest acknowledged complicity in crimes beyond those for which he was convicted. The journalist expresses satisfaction with the honesty of the disclosures that surfaced.
control of the media
The interview also reveals how media influence was navigated. One of the sharpest observers in the field is described as a central architect behind much of the quieting of many issues surrounding the monarchy. The documentary series takes care to show how media and political parties aligned in a space where scrutiny could be kept at bay, and where certain figures could be shielded or exposed depending on the moment. The guest joins the narrative, illustrating how access to information was shaped by a combination of personal networks and strategic influence. The discussion makes clear that the exercise of power in Spain at the time extended beyond the boardroom and the ballot box.
When asked how the former banker kept sensitive matters under wraps, the response pointed to a mix of networks and portfolios that opened doors and closed others. The interview highlights concrete examples of Conde’s influence within power structures and the prominence of the emeritus status in those dynamics. It is explained that certain actions were facilitated by the guest’s position and relationships, leading to troubling bargains.
Yet the program ultimately presents Conde’s influence as substantial, even when juxtaposed with institutional checks. The host notes that the discourse around this history required careful calibration. Body language and tone are read as part of the storytelling, and the analysis suggests a deliberate attempt to present a complete, human portrait of the guest. The interviewer remarks on the rarity of seeing a subject speak so openly about himself, acknowledging the impact of the exchange on the audience and on the storytelling itself.
‘Prestige’ disaster
The forthcoming exploration of the Prestige incident will not be a mere stroll through memory lanes. The program will address the broader context of the disaster, including what it calls a government response that some see as inflated or misleading. Strong testimonies are expected from key figures who made critical decisions in the moments before and after the event. The coverage promises new perspectives on those choices and on the sailors involved, with the team hinting at surprising revelations that could shift public understanding. The format aims to be precise and cinematic, with careful pacing and narrated segments that emphasize the human dimension of the story.
Salvados will also broaden its scope to address inflation and the broader implications for sports and society in upcoming episodes. The show aims to examine how economic forces intersect with public life, including the dynamics that arise in high-stakes environments such as professional football. The host cautions that money shapes much of what happens and that this reality is a constant undercurrent in the narrative. The presenter admits a wary optimism about the audience’s reception but expresses a clear hope that the program will keep its independent voice and continue to challenge viewers.