Belén Esteban live return draws 19.7% share for Telecinco program ¡De viernes!

Ratings performance and share figures

Telecinco program ¡De viernes! recorded a 19.7% screen share and 1,228,000 viewers during its live broadcast on 2 October 2026. The episode featured the live studio return of television personality Belén Esteban, three years after the cancellation of Sálvame. This result represents the second-highest audience share in the program's history, trailing only the 19.9% share achieved during an interview with Julián Muñoz on 25 September 2024. In terms of total viewers, the broadcast ranked second across four seasons, behind the 1,403,000 viewers registered on 8 December 2023 for Ángel Cristo and Isa Pantoja. The broadcast outperformed Antena 3 competitor La Voz, which drew an 11.6% share on the same evening.

Studio entrance and panelist reunions

Esteban arrived at Mediaset Studio 6 in a vintage car before meeting hosts Santi Acosta and Bea Archidona outside the set. Inside the darkened studio, Esteban greeted floor manager Fernando prior to reuniting with former colleagues Terelu Campos and Lydia Lozano under the studio lighting. The panel for the evening also included collaborators Antonio Rossi, José Antonio León, and Ángela Portero. During her opening minutes on set, Esteban addressed viewers regarding the reception of her return following a recorded interview broadcast one week earlier on 25 September 2026, which drew an 18.7% share and 1,130,000 viewers.

I knew they were going to scold me for what I am going to say, but I have to say it: I thought people did not love me, and I have to tell people thank you. Because with the interview last Friday, I can only say thank you.

Programming delays and commercial breaks

The main live interview segment faced schedule shifts and commercial interruptions throughout the late-night slot. Following an episode of First Dates that ended at 23:00, Esteban's live segment commenced at 23:45. Telecinco went to an initial advertising pause at 23:58, followed shortly by a subsequent 15-minute commercial break as Esteban began answering questions. The recurring pauses prompted verbal complaints from Esteban during the live transmission, as well as critical commentary from viewers on social media regarding the late scheduling and advertising density.

Statements on family disputes

During the interview, Esteban responded to recent public statements made by Juls Janeiro and addressed ongoing financial arrangements involving her former partner Jesulín de Ubrique. Esteban stated that she received a legal burofax from the former bullfighter concerning child maintenance payments and healthcare coverage. She explained that the healthcare arrangements involved private insurance policies during overseas stays, noting that the absence of a health card had prompted recent phone calls prior to policy expiration dates.

My daughter had a very serious conversation with her father and it is not because of that. Abroad, healthcare is not public, and he paid for her private medical insurance.