Journalist Javier Ruiz said goodbye on Friday to viewers of RTVE morning show Mananeros ahead of his departure to join new television channel La Septima.
Ruiz accepted a proposal to become the first director of La Septima, which plans to launch on November 5. Mananeros is a daily magazine show on La 1 airing Monday through Friday between 10:35 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., combining current events, politics, and entertainment. His departure will trigger a reorganization of RTVE current affairs programming for the upcoming season.
According to reports first published by El Pais and confirmed to news agency EFE by sources from RTVE and La Septima, Jesus Cintora will replace Ruiz. Cintora will co-host Mananeros alongside Adela Gonzalez in the next phase of the program.
Presentation at FesTVal 2026
La Septima will make its official debut as a new free-to-air TDT channel at the 18th edition of the FesTVal in Vitoria, scheduled for September 7 to 12. The festival serves as a major industry showcase ahead of the autumn season, featuring presentations from RTVE, Atresmedia, Mediaset, Movistar Plus+, AMC, and ETB.
The new network promoted by Jose Miguel Contreras will be the main novelty at this year festival. Station leaders will use the event to reveal programming details and introduce key on-air talent. Organizers said network executives and show hosts will meet media professionals to share the initial format details defining the identity of La Septima.
Network strategy and staff lineup
Jose Miguel Contreras, the founder of laSexta, is finalizing the launch of La Septima as a generalist free-to-air TDT channel aiming to become a news reference point in Spain. In an interview with EFE, Contreras said the project will move away from traditional television schemes by focusing on live news, analysis, and conversation without airing series, movies, or major entertainment shows.
Contreras confirmed that Daniel Fernandez will serve as content director. He also noted that the channel is in advanced talks with communicator Sarah Santaolalla, although her exact role has not been specified.
Contreras ruled out hiring Silvia Intxaurrondo and Angels Barcelo due to their current professional commitments and a plan to build a team with profiles distinct from conventional television. The network is negotiating with about 14 communicators for its main lineup, mixing journalists under 30 with experienced professionals. Contreras said the channel only wants people who are excited about the project.
Live programming focus and broadcast license
Contreras said La Septima will differentiate itself through continuous live broadcasting, taking advantage of real-time reporting that streaming platforms like Netflix cannot deliver. He explained that the station aims to cover current affairs without aggressive debate, focusing instead on analysis, conversation, and varied viewpoints.
La Septima outlined its key principles on social media platform X through a campaign titled 7 reasons why our project is serious. The campaign highlighted live broadcasting, multi-platform distribution, transparent news coverage, audience conversation, and a public meeting space. The publication ended with an invitation asking viewers if they would tune in at seven.
The presentation follows the Spanish government awarding SIETE a new national TDT license for an initial renewable term of 15 years. The new channel will launch on November 5, 2026.
