RTVE Schedule Changes and Labor Disputes Surround 'El perro andaluz'

Television network La 1 is adjusting its prime-time schedule for early November, bringing the entertainment program "El perro andaluz" into the access prime-time slot on Monday, November 2. The show, hosted by presenter Manu Sánchez and produced in collaboration with 16 Escalones, will air a special live broadcast instead of its regular Thursday routine. This scheduling change replaces "La Revuelta" for the evening, as that show's team takes a scheduled break before returning to regular broadcasts on Tuesday, November 3.

The upcoming broadcasts follow a period of mourning and schedule disruption across Spanish public television. Last week, producers canceled the planned Thursday night episode of "El perro andaluz" due to a deadly railway accident in Urda, Toledo, which claimed dozens of lives. The production team released a statement offering condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, noting that entertainment programming was inappropriate given the national tragedy. The canceled episode was slated to feature an interview with politician Irene Montero, though network officials have not yet confirmed when that segment will be rescheduled.

Beyond recent television schedule updates, the program and its production company are facing intense scrutiny following a formal complaint from the Workers' Union (USO) at RTVE. The union published a strong statement criticizing the working conditions experienced by technical professionals assigned to the show since August. According to the union's findings, staff members have reported significant organizational flaws, long waiting periods before recording sessions begin, and alleged disrespectful behavior from the host.

The union's statement specifically alleges that presenter Manu Sánchez publicly criticized television professionals and questioned decisions made by the technical directing team. Union representatives condemned the contrast between the presenter's public persona and the reported treatment of crew members, writing that the atmosphere reflected authoritarian management practices rather than progressive values. Furthermore, the complaint points out that technical staff were frequently required to arrive at the studios ten hours before recording actually commenced, resulting in extended work hours.

The controversy also centers on a specific working agreement established between RTVE's human resources department and the inter-center committee to regulate production conditions. According to the USO, this agreement allows for workdays exceeding twelve hours and consecutive shifts of up to ten days. The union criticized the retroactive application of these rules, noting that such intense schedules were already being imposed on workers months before the agreement was formally signed in late October.

Additional concerns raised by the labor organization include delayed financial compensation, insufficient rest periods following special shifts, and a lack of official recognition for the crew's hard work since production began. The union has urged network leadership to launch a formal investigation into the workplace allegations, review production costs, and ensure that public television employees are treated with professional dignity.

As "El perro andaluz" prepares for its upcoming double broadcast week with episodes on both Monday and Thursday, neither RTVE management nor the production company has publicly issued a detailed response to the union's accusations. The unfolding situation highlights ongoing tensions regarding labor standards and operational management within public broadcasting productions.