Javier Ruiz ended his time at RTVE, urging viewers to value rigorous journalism. His leadership at Mañaneros 360 nearly doubled the show's audience. The program now faces a new chapter.
Javier Ruiz has stepped down as presenter of Mañaneros 360 on RTVE, closing a chapter that saw the morning show on La 1 achieve its highest ratings in nearly two decades. Ruiz used his final broadcast to call on viewers to remain vigilant and support quality journalism, warning of the growing threat posed by misinformation and the blurring of lines between reporting and manipulation.
During his farewell, Ruiz addressed the audience directly, highlighting the current climate of widespread disinformation and the dangers of equating journalists with those who distort or conceal facts. He emphasized that viewers now hold unprecedented power through their choices—both at the ballot box and with the remote control—urging them to reward serious journalism and reject content that undermines public trust.
The Mañaneros 360 team marked Ruiz's departure with a video tribute, recalling his arrival in May 2025, a period that coincided with the historic election of a new Pope in Rome. The segment also revisited key moments from his tenure, including an exclusive interview with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Ruiz is set to take on a new role as editorial director at La Séptima, a recently launched TDT channel.
Under Ruiz's leadership, Mañaneros 360 underwent a significant transformation. The show shifted away from entertainment and celebrity coverage, focusing instead on political analysis and current affairs. This editorial change, which began with his appointment in May 2025, resulted in the program's audience share rising from around 8% to nearly 16% by the end of the 2025-2026 season. According to RTVE, these figures represent the best performance for La 1 in that time slot since 2006-2007. The second segment of the show also posted its strongest numbers in a decade, with an average share of 11.6%.
RTVE president José Pablo López publicly thanked Ruiz and the Mañaneros 360 team for their work and resilience, noting the show's historic audience gains and wishing Ruiz success in his new projects. The evolution of Mañaneros 360 reflects a broader trend in Spanish media, where the demand for reliable information has intensified amid political polarization and the spread of false narratives. This shift echoes challenges faced by other institutions, such as the impact of political scandals on public trust, as seen in the closure of Barcelona's La Camarga restaurant following a high-profile espionage case—a story detailed in this report on the fallout from La Camarga's closure.
For context, Mañaneros 360 originated in September 2023 as an entertainment magazine hosted by Jaime Cantizano. Adela González took over in summer 2024, but it was Ruiz's arrival that marked a decisive editorial pivot. The program's success under his direction underscores the influence of strong journalistic leadership in shaping public discourse and audience engagement in Spain's evolving media landscape.
