The broncano Gamble: A Risky Move for Public Television

Since September, all eyes have been on RTVE’s audience figures, particularly concerning its high-profile acquisition of David broncano’s
La Resistencia (The revolt). This move, importing the show from Movistar+, was a clear attempt to challenge Antena 3’s long-reigning
el Hormiguero (The Anthill) in the competitive late-night slot.

The initial buzz surrounding Broncano’s arrival generated considerable interest. However, recent data suggests that the novelty effect is wearing
off, raising questions about the long-term viability of the program on public television.

Fading Novelty: Audience Numbers Tell the Tale

Early numbers for La Resistencia were promising,but viewership has since declined. As TV analyst Moreno from Bluper notes, the
initial intrigue, fueled by provocative content, has diminished as the show’s format became predictable.

The descent is notorious… The ‘pullas’ (taunts) at the beginning generated morbid curiosity, but by becoming usual, not so much.

Moreno, TV Analyst at Bluper

For example, on May 1st, La Resistencia garnered only 8.2% of the audience share, translating to 948,000 viewers, trailing behind both
El Hormiguero and Telecinco’s Supervivientes (Survivors).While the show saw a bump on May 5th, reaching 13.1% share with 1,805,000
viewers thanks to a guest appearance by Antonia San Juan, El Hormiguero still maintained its lead with 15% and 2,060,000 viewers.

Looking at the most-watched RTVE programs of 2025 so far, La Resistencia only manages to reach number 17. Sports broadcasts, particularly
football, consistently outperform the late-night show. Even documentaries have, on occasion, surpassed La Resistencia in viewership.

niche Appeal vs.Mainstream Dominance

RTVE’s decision to bring in Broncano was undoubtedly a calculated risk. The goal was to challenge El Hormiguero, a program with nearly two
decades of dominance on Antena 3. However, La Resistencia originated as a niche comedy show on a private network, never quite achieving
the mainstream appeal of its competitor.

Compounding the issue is the fact that La Resistencia has undergone minimal changes in its structure or content as its move to RTVE.
This was reportedly a condition set by Broncano himself. However, adapting the show to a public television audience might necessitate more
broadly appealing guests and more general-interest content than the program currently offers.

A Question of Strategy, Not Quality

The challenges facing La Resistencia are not necessarily indicative of a lack of quality. Instead, the issue may lie in the show’s
position within RTVE’s overall programming strategy.

They should maintain differential elements of competition, such as not announcing the guest, but as for the content… certain moments of the
interviews (which become long and banal), could be reviewed.

Moreno, TV Analyst at Bluper

Moreno suggests that while certain unique aspects of the show should be preserved, adjustments to the content, such as streamlining interviews,
could improve audience engagement.

Beyond Audience Share: A Broader Ideological Puzzle?

Some observers believe that RTVE’s acquisition of broncano is part of a larger strategy to shape the network’s ideological landscape. This
perspective suggests that the move is less about attracting a mass audience and more about assembling a specific lineup of personalities and
programs.

While the success of this broader strategy remains to be seen, the performance of La Resistencia will undoubtedly continue to be closely
monitored as RTVE navigates the ever-competitive world of Spanish television. despite fluctuations, Moreno believes that La Resistencia will
maintain a dedicated audience.

I think that there will always be a faithful audience to Broncano… that will not abandon you, it is issued in the chain that is broadcast.
That’s why I think we will never see a great audience batacazo of the revolt, despite these fluctuations.

Moreno, TV Analyst at Bluper

New Leadership, New Direction

José Pablo López, the newly appointed President of RTVE, has signaled a clear intention to shake up the public entity. his strategy involves a two-pronged approach: increasing clarity by disclosing salaries and managerial positions, and investing heavily in talent to revamp the network’s programming.

This overhaul comes at a critical time. RTVE has struggled to maintain audience share against private television networks. The hope is that these bold moves will revitalize the broadcaster and attract a wider viewership.

Million-Dollar Signings and Polarizing Personalities

A key element of López’s strategy is the recruitment of high-profile personalities. The signing of David Broncano, for example, represents a substantial investment.Though, some observers question the wisdom of focusing on figures who tend to polarize audiences.

Mercé Moreno, a media analyst, suggests that RTVE is “betting on controversial profiles that polarize rather than agglutinate the audience.” she argues that these personalities,while generating strong reactions,may ultimately drive viewers away.”Excess noise takes many people to turn off the TV,” Moreno states.

While Broncano’s show, ‘La Resistencia’, has seen a decline in viewership, it still outperforms other recent access prime-time offerings on La 1. This suggests that RTVE may be willing to give broncano time to find his footing, barring disastrous ratings.

Programming Choices Under Scrutiny

Beyond individual personalities, RTVE’s programming choices are also raising eyebrows. The network is investing in documentaries that critically examine the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Community of Madrid under Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and the response to the Dana storm in Valencia under Carlos Mazón. These documentaries, such as ‘The Day of the 700 Liters’, are likely to fuel political debate.

This shift towards politically charged content contrasts with the performance of other RTVE programs. shows like ‘To heaven with her’ and ‘For imperfect future’ have struggled to gain traction, achieving audience shares below 3% and 2.5% respectively. This raises questions about the effectiveness of RTVE’s current programming strategy.

the Future of RTVE: A Balancing Act

RTVE’s new direction presents both opportunities and challenges.The investment in talent and the focus on investigative documentaries could attract a new audience and enhance the network’s reputation for quality journalism.Though, the risk of alienating viewers with polarizing personalities and politically charged content remains a significant concern.

The success of RTVE’s transformation will depend on its ability to strike a balance between attracting viewers and fulfilling its public service mandate. Only time will tell whether José Pablo López’s bold vision will pay off.