Spanish audience interest in televised politics: From electoral debates to politainment

Abstract

Televised politics have become an essential focal point in the planning of the electoral campaigns of any political party. Television is the main source of information during electoral processes and politainment programs have become decisive engagements for candidates. This paper carries out a diachronic analysis of the evolution of the audience of Spanish televised debates in order to verify whether this format is worn out. The sample includes ten electoral debates between presidential candidates held before April 2019. In addition, it focuses on the integration of other platforms in the broadcasting and viewing of the electoral debate, e.g. Twitter. The results of this research show the interest of the Spanish audience in this format, from the first broadcast in 1993 up until today, turning them into real television milestones. Likewise, the candidates have also increased their presence on television through other entertainment formats in order to show furthermore human and emotional facets to the electorate. This recent media exposure of political leaders has also been followed by the Spanish citizens.