Silvia Intxaurrondo, known for hosting La Hora de la 1 on TVE, is at the center of a legal dispute with RTVE. This Thursday, she is taking the public broadcaster to court, seeking to restore her previous annual salary of €253,000 and secure an indefinite non-permanent position at the company. The case follows a impressive pay cut after a labor inspection found irregularities in her previous contractual arrangement through her company, Sukun Comunicación. RTVE cut her salary by more than €100,000, bringing her new contract in line with the collective agreement and adding compensation for her presenting and directing duties. Her current earnings are around €140,000 per year.
The legal standoff comes at a delicate moment for Intxaurrondo, amid reports of a possible move to La Séptima, a new television channel backed by Spanish shareholders of Prisa with close government ties. The channel is scheduled to begin broadcasting on November 5, 2026. Its chief executive and principal public face, José Miguel Contreras, has described Intxaurrondo as an outstanding professional who does good work, but said the channel could not afford the cost of hiring her. Sector sources have described the salary she seeks as “much higher” than her current TVE pay.
La Séptima is preparing a large operation ahead of launch: Contreras puts its team at about 400 employees and collaborators. Its announced presenters include Javier Ruiz, Verónica Sanz and Sarah Santaolalla. The channel plans to focus on live news, current affairs and analysis, alongside entertainment. Contreras has said its discussion programmes will include conservative voices, arguing that Spain is a plural and diverse society. Corporate reporting has also described Varela Entrecanales as taking control of the venture to avert a shareholder power struggle, while Contreras retained a 10% stake.
Speculation about Intxaurrondo’s future at TVE intensified recently when she left her dressing room empty before going on vacation, prompting rumors about her departure. She later clarified on social media that she would return in September. Her possible move to La Séptima remains under discussion alongside the employment dispute.
The court hearing will address Intxaurrondo’s claim that RTVE’s proposed contract after the labor inspection did not comply with the official resolution. RTVE initially offered her an artist contract that would have allowed her to keep her previous salary, but she rejected it, arguing that it failed to meet the labor authorities’ requirements. Her legal action seeks the restoration of her former salary and benefits, including a company car, as well as a judicial declaration that she is an indefinite non-permanent employee. That designation would make it harder for RTVE to dismiss her, though she would still need to pass a competitive exam to secure a permanent position.
Information from sector insiders, relations between Intxaurrondo and RTVE’s management have long been strained and remain tense, despite the strong performance of La Hora de la 1, which has overtaken rival morning shows led by Ana Rosa Quintana and Susanna Griso. The broadcaster does not plan to call Intxaurrondo to testify at the hearing, though she may attend with her labor lawyer, Jon Zabala. Only the defense can request her testimony.
The legal battle comes amid increased scrutiny of employment status and pay structures in Spain’s public broadcasting sector. Similar disputes over public-sector employment and judicial intervention have surfaced in recent years in cases involving political figures and public officials. Judicial oversight in politically sensitive cases has also featured in discussion of high-profile court rulings, as detailed in a recent report on judicial independence in Spain.
In Spain, indefinite non-permanent contracts are a distinct employment category, often resulting from court decisions after irregular hiring practices are identified. They provide more job security than temporary arrangements but do not guarantee lifetime employment unless the employee passes a formal civil service exam. The outcome of Intxaurrondo’s case could set a precedent for other media professionals facing similar contractual disputes with public institutions. As new entrants such as La Séptima prepare to enter the television market, employment terms and the balance of power between presenters and broadcasters are likely to remain contentious issues.
