BTN News: David Broncano’s highly anticipated move to La 1 has set the Spanish television industry abuzz. With his new show, La Revuelta, the former La Resistencia host is turning heads and shaking up the late-night TV scene. After just four episodes, Broncano’s debut on public television delivered a stunning 18% audience share, a feat few expected for a network that had been losing relevance with younger viewers. This move marks one of the most significant shifts in Spanish TV in recent years, sparking comparisons with established programs like El Hormiguero and igniting debates about the future of late-night entertainment.
Broncano Challenges El Hormiguero’s Reign
A Battle for Prime-Time Dominance
With La Revuelta, David Broncano has directly challenged the long-standing dominance of Pablo Motos and his show El Hormiguero, which has ruled Spanish prime-time for over a decade. Despite their apparent rivalry, both shows have seen benefits. El Hormiguero has enjoyed its best season launch since its move to Antena 3 in 2011, while La Revuelta has skyrocketed La 1’s ratings to levels not seen since 2006.
Behind the Numbers: La Revuelta’s Success
The initial success of La Revuelta can be attributed to its ability to captivate young audiences, a demographic that has largely abandoned traditional TV in favor of streaming platforms. Broncano’s irreverent style, honed on the subscription-based Movistar Plus+, seems to resonate with a generation hooked on on-demand content. Early data suggests that La 1’s viewership surged by 40% among 13 to 44-year-olds, the key demographic that most advertisers target.
How RTVE Pushed for Broncano
Internal Conflicts at RTVE
The decision to bring Broncano to RTVE was not without controversy. Former RTVE Content Director José Pablo López was the driving force behind the move, hoping that La Revuelta would rejuvenate the channel’s image and draw in younger viewers. However, this decision led to internal conflicts, resulting in López’s abrupt dismissal in March 2023. Despite the tension, the deal was finalized with production companies El Terrat and Broncano’s own Encofrados Encofrasa, ensuring the show’s launch.
Risky Contracts and High Expectations
La Revuelta comes with a significant financial commitment—14 million euros per season—though this figure is relatively modest compared to other high-budget shows like MasterChef. The agreement includes a safety net: if the program falls below a 7.5% share for four consecutive months, RTVE reserves the right to cancel it after the second season. For now, La Revuelta has exceeded expectations, making the risks seem worthwhile.
How the Move Impacts the TV Landscape
A Boost for Public TV, a Challenge for Commercial Networks
Broncano’s arrival on La 1 not only ended years of stagnation for the public broadcaster but also disrupted the competitive balance among Spain’s commercial networks. Telecinco, already struggling with a decline in viewership, has seen its ratings further slide since La Revuelta’s debut. The network even canceled its much-hyped show Babylon Show after it failed to compete in the same time slot.
Meanwhile, La Sexta’s El Intermedio, another show targeting a similar audience to Broncano’s, has taken a hit as well, losing approximately 30% of its usual share. While El Intermedio is still the most-watched show on its channel, its future could be uncertain if this trend continues.
La Revuelta’s Edge: Winning in Online and On-Demand Views
The Power of Streaming and On-Demand Content
One of the key advantages of La Revuelta has been its success in on-demand viewership. The first episodes attracted an additional 243,000 viewers via RTVE Play, the network’s streaming platform, dwarfing the 63,000 viewers who watched El Hormiguero through similar channels. This indicates a broader strategy at play: not only is Broncano revitalizing La 1’s linear TV ratings, but he’s also boosting the network’s online presence—an essential move in today’s digital-first world.
The Political and Cultural Impact of La Revuelta
Controversy Turns into Free Publicity
The launch of La Revuelta hasn’t just been a media event—it’s become a political talking point. Conservative media outlets and political figures have criticized RTVE’s decision to fund Broncano’s show, framing it as an unnecessary expense. However, according to Silvia Martínez Martínez, a professor of Communication Sciences, this controversy has only served to increase public interest. The constant debate and social media buzz have turned Broncano’s debut into a must-watch event, proving the old adage: “All publicity is good publicity.”
Broncano Addresses Government Allegations
Broncano himself has had to address accusations of being aligned with Spain’s progressive government, a claim he strongly refuted during the show’s promotional tour. He emphasized that the move to RTVE was purely professional, and not influenced by any political agenda. “No one in Moncloa asked me to do this,” he remarked, dismissing the idea that his show serves a political purpose.
Tricks of the Trade: How Both Shows Are Maximizing Viewership
Programming Strategies to Boost Audience Numbers
Both La Revuelta and El Hormiguero have employed strategic tricks to maintain and boost their audience shares. El Hormiguero extended its runtime to avoid overlapping with La Revuelta, while Broncano’s team cleverly starts their show earlier in the access prime-time slot, gaining an edge. Additionally, the shorter Telediario 2 newscast on La 1 has opened more time for Broncano’s program, further enhancing his ability to attract and retain viewers.
Conclusion: A New Era for Spanish Late-Night TV
David Broncano’s La Revuelta has emerged as a major player in Spanish late-night television, reshaping the competitive landscape and revitalizing a network that many had written off. The show’s early success not only reflects a shift in viewer preferences but also signals the start of a new chapter for RTVE and public broadcasting in Spain. With Broncano at the helm, the battle for prime-time dominance is just beginning—and both viewers and industry insiders are eager to see what comes next.
