Quick Decision for Spain's Public Broadcaster

Michael Hedges November 23, 2009 Follow on Twitter

Spanish politicians quickly agreed on a new head of public broadcaster RTVE. The last General Director left quickly. Perhaps the new person won't move so fast.

Taking control of RTVE (November 23) will be Alberto Oliart Saussol, a former Spanish Defense Minister.  A lifelong public servant, Sr. Oliart indicated he’d be keeping most senior executives. He also admitted he “knows nothing” about the audiovisual media. If a ‘long view’ was in the criteria Spanish politicians were looking for, Sr. Oliart has impeccable credentials. He’s 81, just three years senior to Rupert Murdoch and considerably younger than Sumner Redstone or John Kluge. 

The decision to name Sr. Oliart came quickly – suddenly by Spanish standards. RTVE Director General Luis Fernandez indicated his intention to move on but a precise date was left up in the air. Sr. Fernandez sent an email to his staff November 10 announcing his departure for “personal reasons.” The official announcement came November 13. Originally, his exit date was meant to be December 23rd. Quite suddenly, Mr. Fernandez announced he’d be gone before November 23rd. Several reports noted that Sr. Fernandez had already left for Miami.

RTVE's General Director is a political appointment under rules adopted in 2006 overhauling Spanish public broadcasting, including a €7.8 billion State bailout. Sr. Fernandez, the first director general under the new order, leaves in the middle of a six-year term through which the public broadcaster has endured high-pitched criticism, budget and staff cuts and rules changes on television advertising. RTVE will no longer have a revenue stream from advertising, effectively cutting the budget by half from January, a political gesture not open to consultation with Sr. Fernandez. More rule changes have imposed strict “public service” guidelines on RTVE, forcing some popular programming off the network.

And, too, Sr. Fernandez did not get on well with Spain’s powerful Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega. In a statement, Sr. Fernandez said he leaves RTVE “more independent, pluralistic and rigorous" and his decision to leave had nothing to do with reform measures at Spanish public broadcasting, widely seen as political gifts to private sector television broadcasters. Analogue television shut-off in Spain is scheduled for April next year, yet another painful reminder that things don’t always go according to plan.

Under Sr. Fernandez’ leadership RTVE’s main television channel rose from the ratings basement to the top spot by pushing away from political meddling. A TNS opinion survey, quoted by El Pais (November 12), showed a plurality of viewers (39%) calling RTV-1 news “most comprehensive and rigorous.”

Plans to build a new headquarters for RTVE stalled amidst the failure of Spain’s construction industry and, of course, the general economic downturn.

“I do not understand, but young people watch TV and listen to the radio through the phone,” said Sr. Oliart at a nominating committee meeting earlier. “I hope my grandchildren teach me." He also suggested a solution to RTVE’s budget problems might include giving up Hollywood films and Champions League football rights. When asked about his age, Sr. Oliart replied, “I’m worth it,” reported El Mundo (November 19). He then asked a Parliamentary committee for more money for high definition TV.

See also in ftm Knowledge

Media in Spain and Portugal

The Iberian Peninsula is home to media with vast international reach. Yet, at home the economic crisis has taken its toll. The ftm Knowledge file profiles Spanish and Portuguese public and private media as it struggles to cope. Includes Resources 58 pages PDF (September 2009)

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