The progressive extinction of the Debate and its apparent resurrection via Reality-TV formats in Spanish Television programming (2004-2019)

Abstract

This article deals with the practical disappearance of the format of classical debate in the programming of the main generalist television networks in Spain during the last fifteen years. Based on the previous programmes that the public broadcaster RTVE carried out before the 1990s, as well as the proliferation of spectacular formulas since the appearance of regional and private television channels, the text attempts to establish a chronology of the programming milestones that, between nearly 2004 and 2019, have marked this extinction of rational and deep political and social debates on the schedules, despite the apparent survival and growth of dialogic programs. The chronological review allows not only to verify the current predominance of political talk-shows, but also the misappropriation of the term "debate" in favour of genres and contents from reality television shows.