Mediaset removes 'Alerta cobra' from Cuatro after nearly two decades. The channel bets on 'El chiringuito' to boost morning ratings. The move marks a major shift in Spanish TV programming.
Mediaset has made a decisive move in its programming by removing 'Alerta cobra' from Cuatro's morning lineup after almost 20 years. The long-running police series, which first aired on the channel in 2007, will be replaced by morning reruns of 'El chiringuito', the popular sports talk show led by Josep Pedrerol. This change is set to take effect immediately, with the first morning broadcast of 'El chiringuito' scheduled for 08:15 on Cuatro.
The shift comes as 'El chiringuito' makes its debut on Mediaset, following more than a decade on Atresmedia. The show will air live late at night on Energy from Monday to Thursday at 23:45, and on Sundays at 00:00 on Cuatro. Mediaset will then rebroadcast each episode the following morning on Cuatro, aiming to reach a broader audience and strengthen its morning ratings. The new schedule for Cuatro will start with 'Toma salami' at 07:45, followed by 'El chiringuito' at 08:15, and 'En boca de todos' at 10:30.
This programming overhaul means that 'Alerta cobra', which had become a fixture in Cuatro's mornings and often filled gaps in the schedule, will lose its three daily episodes and disappear from the channel's grid. While the series had experienced interruptions and replacements over the years, its removal now marks the end of an era for Cuatro's daytime viewers.
Mediaset's strategy is clear: by leveraging the popularity of 'El chiringuito', the group hopes to attract sports fans and boost viewership in a time slot that has traditionally relied on imported series. The company has also announced the possibility of special editions of 'El chiringuito' on Saturdays when major sporting events occur, mirroring the flexible approach previously used by Atresmedia but with greater visibility on Cuatro.
The arrival of 'El chiringuito' is being positioned as one of the first major launches of the new television season. According to Mediaset, the dual-channel approach—airing the show live on Energy and rebroadcasting it on Cuatro—aims to capture different segments of the audience. This move is part of a broader trend in Spanish television, where networks are increasingly experimenting with cross-channel strategies to maximize reach and adapt to changing viewer habits.
For context, the Spanish TV landscape has seen several shifts in recent years as channels compete for audience share in both prime time and morning slots. The decision to prioritize a sports debate program over a long-standing police series reflects the growing influence of live sports content and its ability to drive ratings. As noted in a recent report on how Spanish cities compete for major entertainment events, broadcasters are increasingly focused on programming that can deliver immediate audience engagement and social media buzz.
While 'Alerta cobra' exits the scene, Mediaset's gamble on 'El chiringuito' signals a new direction for Cuatro's mornings. The outcome will likely influence future scheduling decisions across Spanish television, especially as networks look for ways to adapt to evolving viewer preferences and the ongoing competition for ratings.
