Mediaset gives Horizonte more airtime after ratings surge

Mediaset is expanding Horizonte after the show broke its own audience records. The network is adding a Friday night slot and extending Thursday broadcasts, putting Horizonte at the center of Cuatro’s prime time schedule.

Horizonte’s audience has grown sharply. On September 3, 2026, the program led by Iker Jiménez and Carmen Porter drew 983,000 viewers and a 14.4% share—its highest numbers so far, confirmed by outlets like El Diario and El Confidencial. Starting September 14, Horizonte will run 25 minutes longer and, for the first time, air on Friday nights. The Friday edition will be presented by Beatriz Talegón and Paco Pérez Caballero, bringing a new dynamic to the show.

From Monday to Wednesday, Iker Jiménez and Carmen Porter will continue to host from 21:10 to 23:00. Thursdays will now run until 01:00 with the same presenters. Fridays, however, will feature the new duo. This change puts Horizonte among the few Cuatro programs—like First Dates and Lo sabe, no lo sabe—that air across multiple weekdays. According to El Mundo, the new schedule is part of Mediaset’s plan to strengthen its prime time lineup and respond to Horizonte’s steady growth.

The show has adapted over time. Originally airing as Cuarto Milenio, it was taken off air in March 2020 during the pandemic, then returned that September. By early 2021, it moved back to Cuatro from Telecinco and rebranded as Horizonte. Since then, Mediaset has increased its investment as the audience has grown. The show also topped one million viewers on September 1 and 9, 2026, with 1.062 million and 1.059 million viewers, showing its stable popularity.

This expansion comes as Mediaset looks to strengthen its hold on prime time, especially with the Ceuta crisis ongoing and the 2027 elections approaching. The network’s decision to add new presenters and extend Horizonte’s reach is a direct response to the show’s strong ratings. As reported earlier, Mediaset has adjusted its programming to follow audience trends, and Horizonte is a clear example of a show being rewarded for its performance.

Few Cuatro programs have managed such a continuous presence across the week. Handing Friday nights to new presenters while keeping the established duo for the rest of the week is a test of audience loyalty and brand strength. For viewers, it means more access to a show that has become a fixture since the pandemic. For Mediaset, it’s a practical move: when a show delivers, it earns its place in the schedule. In a TV market where audience loyalty is hard to keep, Mediaset’s approach with Horizonte is both a reward and a challenge—one that will show whether the show’s appeal can last as it grows.