Televisión Española (TVE) has announced significant changes to its afternoon programming schedule, set to take effect on Monday, March 3rd. The network is making these adjustments primarily to accommodate the impending cancellation of the telenovela 'La Moderna', which has seen declining viewership. TVE's new director, Sergio Calderón, outlined the plan during a press conference where details of the scheduling overhaul were shared.
'La Moderna' will soon conclude its run, prompting TVE to restructure its afternoon lineup to optimize viewer engagement. Starting March 3rd, 'Valle Salvaje,' currently the least viewed among its series, will experience what Calderón refers to as a "relaunch." This series will now shift from its existing slot of 18:30-19:30 to take the early afternoon slot, airing from 16:15 to 17:10. Following this, 'La Moderna' will be relegated to 17:10 until its final episodes, lasting only 30 minutes and effectively showing half of the final chapter.
'La Promesa,' which has been deemed the crown jewel of the afternoon schedule, will maintain its starting time at 17:35 and continue until 18:35. This realignment places 'Valle Salvaje' at the forefront of the afternoon, aiming to attract viewers previously accumulated by 'La Moderna', which peaked audience interest during its earlier seasons.
"Valle Salvaje va a experimentar un relanzamiento...", Calderón explained, emphasizing the intention to revitalize the series' ratings by moving it to the prime afternoon viewing period following the weather forecast. This change could provide 'Valle Salvaje' with the opportunity to gain traction among audiences as it faces competition from popular adjacent programs. Meanwhile, 'El Cazador' will fill some of the gaps left by the restructuring, airing as double episodes after 'La Moderna', aiming to retain audience attention during transitional periods before the introduction of TVE's new magazine show later.
'El Cazador,' hosted by Rodrigo Vázquez, will have its programming enhanced during the gaps left by 'La Moderna', starting at 18:30 following 'La Promesa.' 'Aquí la Tierra' will also maintain its regular evening slot after the game show, effectively preserving its audience demographics.
The decision to cancel 'La Moderna'—which was unexpectedly swift—stems from the competition within the network's afternoon lineup. TVE acknowledged the unsustainability of continuing three daily shows and decided to invest resources more effectively, focusing on 'La Promesa' and 'Valle Salvaje.' This strategy aligns with broader trends observed within Spanish television, reflecting the need for networks to adapt quickly to viewer preferences for improvement.
Nora Cámara, television and film content expert, expressed her concern about the shifts occurring. "The audience deeply connects with their daily series, and adjustments like this can lead to dissatisfaction, especially for loyal viewers of 'La Moderna'." Each show has built its viewer base and abruptly altering their schedule can jolt audience preferences.
Despite the changes, Calderón maintained confidence stating, "We aim to maintain the tradition of afternoon entertainment characterized by telenovelas, intrigue, and drama." He recognizes the need for TVE to engage effectively with its viewers and adapt to changing trends, keeping their programming relevant and appealing.
The anticipation surrounding upcoming series transitions accompanies the promise of youthful vigor and fresh content expected to arrive as part of the new magazine show, which aims to blend entertainment with public service themes. Rumors surrounding the host lineup have sparked considerable interest, with expectations of big names like María Patiño and Belén Esteban possibly joining the public broadcaster.
Calderón highlighted, "We are reshaping our afternoon offerings to include elements of fun and responsibility, hoping to draw more audiences." These changes represent TVE's broader commitment to ensuring its schedule remains competitive amid rising alternatives.
Viewers will need to prepare for the new schedule, which promises to become more exciting as it shifts to reflect the new thematic focus introduced by the prospective magazine show and refreshed program formats for 'La Promesa' and 'Valle Salvaje'. The upcoming shows should present opportunities for improved viewership.
Onlookers eagerly await March 3rd to witness how these changes will affect the audience's affinity with their favorite shows. With TVE repositioning its thematic selections, many expect diverse content appealing to various demographics. Audience reactions will likely shape the future of programming decisions at the public broadcaster.
Overall, the coming changes are anticipated to exceed simple adjustments, opening avenues for novel storytelling and audience engagement strategies conducive to thriving within the competitive media environment.