THE RELEGATION OF TELEVISIÓN QUALITY TO THE SECOND CHANNELS OF PUBLIC TELEVISIÓN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES ON THE AUDIENCE. THE ANDALUSIAN CASE

Abstract

Canal Sur 2 eliminated its programming on October 1, 2012 and became a chain that broadcasts the same programming as the first channel with the difference that it includes subtitles, translates into sign language and its programming is audio-described. The deletion was a decision of the director general of the Andalusian Radio and Television Business Public Agency of Andalusia Radio and Television (RTVA), Pablo Carrasco, arguing economic reasons. This work studies the consequences of the loss of this second regional chain and the effects it had on its minority audience. This research is justified at a time when changes in the government of the Andalusian Government have produced changes in the direction of the RTVA and in its programming. These variations can define the new direction of Andalusian public television and perhaps the recovery of content that was lost. This study analyzes the programming of Canal Sur 2 around the year 2012 - when its own content was suppressed-, and shows what it was like, what it contributed and what was lost. For this analysis, the quantitative and qualitative method has been used and the testimony of key informants that reinforce the results has been included. We can conclude that the second Andalusian channel combined quality programs above those that appear in the first corresponding channel. Understanding quality from the point of view of programs where cultural, social, educational, children's, youth and information prevail, that is, where a greater social function was fulfilled. Themes addressed to a minority public that moved away from public television with the disappearance of Canal Sur 2.