TVE's Pro-Government Bias Drives Audience Polarization and Shakes Spanish Media Landscape

In September 2025, TVE's flagship channel La 1 achieved its highest audience share since 2011, reaching 11.6%, driven largely by its strategy of broadcasting strongly pro-government political magazines. This shift has empowered La 1's morning show, 'La hora de La 1,' hosted by Silvia Intxaurrondo, to lead morning viewing with a 15.4% share — a first in two decades. This success comes as rivals suffer notable losses; Telecinco's audience slipped to 9.2%, while La Sexta’s politically focused program 'Al Rojo Vivo' saw its share halve from 15.5% in 2019 to just 8.4%. The media environment in Spain is increasingly polarized around pro- and anti-Sanchez outlets, with TVE's overtly pro-Sanchez content attracting viewers seeking affirmation of their political beliefs. Analysts highlight that while this approach has boosted TVE’s ratings, it has intensified political polarization in television consumption and altered traditional viewing patterns, challenging the influence of more neutral broadcasters such as Ferreras on La Sexta. This media rivalry reflects the broader political polarization within Spanish society, where audience loyalty aligns closely with ideological leanings. TVE's nearly ten hours of weekday political magazines underline a strategic counterbalance to opposition narratives, contributing to this evolving landscape.