La Séptima Poised to Disrupt Spanish Television Landscape with High-Profile Hires
A new force is set to enter the Spanish television market as La Séptima, a fledgling network backed by José Miguel Contreras, prepares for its terrestrial launch on November 5th. The network is aggressively assembling a team of seasoned journalists and executives, signaling an ambitious bid to challenge established players like Atresmedia and Mediaset.
Key Editorial Figure Joins La Séptima
The latest high-profile addition is Javier Ruiz, who has served as director of the morning program Mañaneros 360 on TVE’s La 1 since 2024. Ruiz will not only be a visible face on the network, contributing to its news coverage, but will also assume significant executive responsibilities as editorial director. His appointment follows a previous collaboration with Contreras at Cadena SER and a shared, ultimately unsuccessful, venture with PRISA to launch a new television project.
Ruiz’s departure from TVE leaves a void in the public broadcaster’s programming lineup. He succeeded Jaime Cantizano and implemented a markedly different editorial line, focusing on current affairs, analysis, and events. His program consistently outperformed competitors in the morning slot, including those hosted by Antonio García Ferreras, Ana Rosa Quintana, and Susanna Griso, who all faced lower viewership figures.
Silvia Intxaurrondo, known for hosting La Hora de la 1 on RTVE, is also reportedly under consideration, though her contract negotiations have reportedly faced recent disagreements. While her departure isn’t imminent, Contreras has publicly mentioned her alongside Àngels Barceló, formerly the editor of Hoy por Hoy at Cadena SER, as potential recruits. “Of these three, one is certain, another is possible, and I hope for the third,” Contreras stated, reflecting the ongoing recruitment efforts.
The launch of La Séptima marks the first new national terrestrial channel in nearly two decades, a development enabled by the recently published technical plan for DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) in 2025. This plan allows for more efficient use of the radio spectrum, previously dominated by large private media groups and RTVE. The new channel represents a significant shift, with Contreras explicitly stating his intention to move away from traditional news formats in favor of live, real-time programming.
La Séptima is slated to receive an initial investment of €20-25 million, with the aim of competing with established networks like Cuatro and La Sexta within a few years and capturing an audience share of approximately 4%. The network’s focus on live programming and Contreras’s experience in building successful television channels suggest a potentially disruptive force in the Spanish media landscape.