Primetime in Spain vs. Primetime in the U.S

When I first arrived in Spain I was already aware of the many cultural differences I was going to run into during my semester here. I thought I was going to experience a bigger culture shock than I have, but I believe the fact that my parents come from a Latin American country (Puerto Rico), I have been able to adjust easily to some aspects of Madrid life. However, if there is one time during the day that I experience the most culture shock, it's when I sit down to eat cena and watch television with my senora and her daughter.

One of the biggest differences I've come to notice in how television works is when "Prime time" occurs and how it's structured. Prime time is used to describe the period of time where the highest rated programming on a network is shown. The notion of this time was created because it is the time when most people are home and have the time to watch television. On the Eastern coast of the United States, prime time occurs from 8 pm-11pm. By 8pm in the States, dinner has already been served and eaten and everyone would be sitting in the living room or in their respective bedrooms watching their favorite program. Usually between 8-10pm, different television programs are shown and from 10-11pm there is a news broadcast. Some channels have programs run from 8-11pm and have news start afterwards, but it isn't done on every channel.

Here in Spain, I've noticed that things are done a little differently. Through my own observations and conversations with my host family, I've found that prime time in spain begins at 9pm and runs until about 12-12:30am. Also, given that customs in Spain are different, the order of how things are aired is different as well. The news broadcast regularly begins here at 9pm, at the beginning of prime time, as viewers are eating together with their family. To my understanding, being aware of what is going on in the world is important,  so it makes sense that the news is shown at a time where everyone will be in front of the television set. After the news broadcast, the popular programming airs between the hours of 10pm-12am.  At that time in the States most people are settling for bed, but here in Spain it is normal to stay up and catch your favorite programming at that time. My host sister has also told me that the late programs are done to avoid conflicts with sporting events, as well as because popular programming is shown during siesta, which usually takes place between 2-5pm. In the states however, 2-5pm is a time reserved for stay at home parents or children to watch talk shows, cartoons, afternoon news, etc.

I find it interesting that the notion of prime time still exists in Spain, but find it even more intriguing that the structure is the complete opposite from what it is in the United States. In the U.S., by 11pm most local stations are showing syndicated reruns of famous television shows because it is the time where people are heading to bed. The Spanish prime time would not work at all in the States.