Spanish Bullfighting Program 'Tendido Cero' Marks 40 Years on Public Television

The Spanish public broadcaster RTVE's weekly bullfighting program 'Tendido Cero' celebrates its 40th anniversary, airing its 2,047th episode. It premiered on April 4, 1986, and is now the longest-running show on the topic in Spanish television history, as well as the second oldest program on the public network, trailing only 'Informe semanal.' The current director, Belén Plaza, attributes its longevity to the professionalism of its teams over four decades and the consistent support from RTVE's management, regardless of political changes, to serve bullfighting enthusiasts across Spain and internationally. The program has had four directors: creator Joaquín Jesús Gordillo, Fernando Fernández Román, Federico Arnés (who led for 16 seasons), and Belén Plaza since 2000, along with six producers and seven additional editors. Plaza emphasizes that 'Tendido Cero' has become a reference for bullfighting coverage due to its seriousness, rigor, and respect, reaching broad audiences via free-to-air TV, international channels, and online streaming on RTVE Play, which nearly doubles its viewership beyond 200,000 regular watchers. The content focuses on the cyclical nature of bullfighting seasons but increasingly highlights cultural and environmental aspects, utilizing TVE's archives to preserve the tradition's memory. For its anniversary, notable figures in bullfighting have praised the program for fostering interest and spreading its reach globally.