Spain observes holy week with extensive tv coverage
Spain kicks off Holy Week with processions across the nation, amplified by a dedicated RTVE channel offering live coverage and special programming. The cultural observance, deeply rooted in religious tradition, draws viewers far beyond devout followers.
Rtve launches dedicated channel for holy week
RTVE Play has unveiled RTVE Procesiones, a linear channel dedicated exclusively to Holy Week events, available until April 6th. This initiative provides comprehensive coverage of processions from across Spain and the Vatican, catering to both religious and cultural interests.
The channel features live broadcasts of events like the Veracruz Procession and Santo Sepulcro Procession in Palencia, processions in Mérida for Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the Santo Encuentro in Burgos, and processions in Medina del Campo and Málaga, among others. Special broadcasts from Rome, including the Viacrucis and Pope León XIV'sUrbi et Orbi blessing, are also scheduled.
Beyond the dedicated channel, RTVE's terrestrial channels, La 1 and La 2, will present a special Holy Week lineup. This includes films and children's programming, recognizing the holiday break for students. Classic films like The Ten Commandments (Thursday) and Ben-Hur and Pompeii (Friday) will air on La 1, while La 2 will broadcast The Sacred Robe on Friday at 10:00 PM. The children's block on Clan will also expand with additional episodes of popular shows.
Regional news programs will highlight unique traditions, including the Empalaos in Extremadura, the Tamborrada in Hellín, the Tobarra in Castilla-La Mancha, the Rompida de la hora in Calanda, the Danza de la Muerte in Verges, and the Bajada del Ángel in Tudela. The Cristo de Mena procession by the Legion in Málaga and the Seville Madrugá on Good Friday will also be featured.
Team Total Curiosity will run throughout the week, and family-friendly movie sessions featuring titles like Shrek, Hotel Transylvania, The Croods, and SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie will be available in the afternoons. RTVE Procesiones remains the definitive source for comprehensive Holy Week coverage on television, accessible via the RTVE Play app for mobile and TV.
The sheer scale of the coverage underscores Holy Week's enduring power to unite a nation – a testament to traditions that transcend faith.