La Séptima Poised to Disrupt Spanish Television with High-Profile Hires
A new force is set to enter the Spanish television landscape as La Séptima, a network founded by José Miguel Contreras, prepares for its debut on digital terrestrial television (DTT) on November 5th. The network is rapidly assembling a team of seasoned professionals, signaling a potential shakeup of the existing media order.
Key Editorial Figure Joins La Séptima
The most significant addition to the La Séptima team is Javier Ruiz, a veteran journalist who has served as the 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 executive responsibilities as editorial director. His appointment follows a history of collaboration with Contreras, dating back to their time at Cadena SER, and a previous, unsuccessful joint venture with PRISA.
Ruiz’s departure from TVE leaves a void in the public broadcaster’s programming, particularly given his role as Jaime Cantizano’s successor. Ruiz’s program offered a distinct approach to current affairs, analysis, and events, establishing a clear editorial line that resonated with audiences. Notably, Mañaneros 360 consistently outperformed competing programs from private networks, including those hosted by Antonio García Ferreras, Ana Rosa Quintana, and Susanna Griso.
Further Talent Acquisitions Under Consideration
While Ruiz’s arrival is confirmed, Contreras has indicated that other prominent journalists are being considered for roles at La Séptima. Silvia Intxaurrondo, currently on vacation and reportedly facing contract disagreements with RTVE, is among those mentioned. Àngels Barceló, former director of Hoy por Hoy at Cadena SER, is also on the radar. Contreras stated, “Of these three, one is secure, another is possible, and I hope for the third.”
The launch of La Séptima marks the first new national television network to debut on DTT in nearly two decades, a development enabled by the recently published technical plan for DTT in 2025. This plan allows for a more efficient use of the radio spectrum, previously dominated by major private media groups like Atresmedia and Mediaset, as well as the public broadcaster RTVE. The new consortium, Servicios Integrados Entretenimiento Televisivo (SIETE), will now join this competitive landscape.
Contreras, a veteran of the Spanish media industry who previously founded La Sexta, intends to differentiate La Séptima from traditional news formats. Recognizing the influence of social media, he plans to prioritize live programming, investing an initial €20-25 million to compete with networks like Cuatro and La Sexta, with a target audience share of around 4%.