After much anticipation, the new television program 'La familia de la tele' premiered on La 1 on May 5, 2025, following two previous cancellations due to significant events. The first cancellation was prompted by the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, while the second was caused by a major power outage that affected Spain and Portugal on April 28, 2025.
Presented by María Patiño, Inés Hernand, and Aitor Albizua, with Belén Esteban as a special collaborator, the show aims to bring a fresh take on afternoon television. The premiere featured a grand event titled 'El gran desfile,' which attracted over a thousand attendees and showcased numerous floats in Prado del Rey, despite the challenging weather conditions, including heavy rains and storms that struck Madrid on the day of the event.
The event was broadcast live on La 1 and RTVE Play, serving as a precursor to the show, which officially aired at 15:50 hours on May 6, 2025. Among the notable appearances was Paula Vázquez, who collaborated in the premiere.
Confirmed collaborators for 'La familia de la tele' include well-known figures such as Chelo García-Cortés, Kiko Matamoros, Lydia Lozano, Víctor Sandoval, Belén Esteban, Núria Marín, Carlota Corredera, and Isa Pantoja, alongside a host of other familiar faces from the television landscape.
However, not all familiar faces were present at the premiere. Kiko Hernández, a prominent figure from the canceled show 'Sálvame,' announced that he would not be joining 'La familia de la tele' and would instead continue his work on the show 'Tentáculos' alongside Carlota Corredera. During the airing of 'Tentáculos,' Kiko Hernández addressed his absence, stating, "Many will think I am sad for not being at 'La familia de la tele.' I love seeing my colleagues enjoy, but I am also very happy here, and I would like to see this grow." He emphasized his commitment to his family and expressed his desire to support his husband, Fran Antón, who had sent him flowers for luck on the day of the parade.
Despite the excitement surrounding its launch, 'La familia de la tele' faced challenges in capturing audience attention. The first segment of the show garnered an audience share of just 8.7% with 769,000 viewers, placing it third in the ratings behind Telecinco and Antena 3. The second segment fared slightly better with a 9.1% share and 708,000 viewers, but still fell short of expectations.
La 1 attempted to present a comprehensive view of the afternoon's audience data, reporting a combined share of 10.1% from 15:53h to 20:28h. In comparison, other competing programs such as 'Sueños de Libertad' and 'Pasapalabra' achieved significantly higher ratings.
As part of the premiere festivities, the show featured a parade that included a variety of guests and collaborators, showcasing their vibrant personalities. The presentation was reminiscent of a carnival, with participants dressing up in costumes that celebrated the history of TVE. The production team even created a playful challenge called 'Pradín exprés,' where collaborators Lydia Lozano and Víctor Sandoval won a race to the studio.
Notably, Isa Pantoja, who is eight months pregnant, made a memorable entrance hidden under a blue cloth in a float, while Rocío Carrasco surprised audiences by appearing disguised as a giant head. The finale of the parade featured Belén Esteban and María Patiño, who expressed their emotions during this significant occasion, reflecting on their late parents.
Financially, RTVE announced a substantial investment of 5,310,414 euros for the production of 'La familia de la tele,' which will consist of 65 episodes. This equates to an estimated cost of around 80,000 euros per episode, a figure that is lower than some of its predecessors like 'La Revuelta' and 'El cazador.'
Isa Pantoja is set to earn approximately 12,000 euros per month for her participation in the program, and the show features a diverse cast of experts, including doctors, trainers, and scientists, who will contribute to various segments.
The premiere of 'La familia de la tele' has sparked discussions about the direction of public broadcasting in Spain, particularly regarding the allocation of funds for entertainment programming amidst RTVE's ongoing financial challenges, which include a debt exceeding 430 million euros.
As the new program unfolds, it remains to be seen whether it can capture the hearts of viewers and carve out its niche in the competitive landscape of Spanish television. With a blend of familiar faces and a promise of entertaining content, 'La familia de la tele' aims to redefine afternoon viewing on La 1.
