Telecinco has exhausted its patience with Cuentos Chinos. The Mediaset network announced on Thursday that the program, hosted by Jorge Javier Vázquez, would be abruptly canceled after disappointing results during its limited three-week run in access prime time.
The cancellation note from the audiovisual group was blunt: Telecinco decided to end Cuentos Chinos as of today because it did not reach the expected audience metrics. The decision reflects a broader pattern in contemporary television where schedules must adapt quickly to viewer preferences, and where a single format can struggle to gain traction in a crowded lineup.
<pDuring its short testing period, the show faced a challenging path in the ratings. It debuted on Monday, September 11, with a market share of about 9.5 percent. As the days passed, the numbers did not improve, dipping to around 5.8 percent last Tuesday. Even a midweek appearance by a high-profile guest—Madrid’s former mayor Manuela Carmena—could not lift the performance, with audience share peaking near 6.2 percent on the day of the visit. This gradual decline underscored the difficulty of sustaining attention for a format that sought to combine storytelling with contemporary talk-show dynamics.
<pUltimately, the decision was made to halt the production after ten episodes. The swift end to the broadcast occurred before Telecinco had a formal farewell prepared for its viewers, signaling a decisive move to address underperformance rather than sustaining a prolonged, low-impact run. The network’s stance illustrates a practical approach to scheduling, where a program that fails to deliver at the outset may be cut to make room for more promising content in the prime-time window.
<pThroughout its brief tenure, Cuentos Chinos underwent a series of adjustments aimed at revitalizing audience engagement. In addition to changes to the program’s format and content, there were notable shifts in the lineup of contributors, reflecting an ongoing effort to balance star power with fresh voices. Analysts noted that while some familiar faces remained, others were replaced or rotated in an attempt to spark renewed interest. The program’s steering committee experimented with different storytelling approaches, guest selections, and on-air dynamics in a bid to find a winning formula that could resonate with viewers looking for a blend of entertainment and conversation during evening hours.