The inaugural semifinal of the Benidorm Fest, held without its traditional association with Eurovision, marked a significant decline in viewership, drawing less than a million viewers for the first time in the event's history. The audience averaged 850,000, which is notably lower, signaling a challenging moment for TVE, as they must now re-establish the festival's relevance post-Eurovision. Despite this drop, the network managed to maintain a competitive audience share against rival Antena 3, demonstrating that there is still interest in the format.

This year's edition is particularly critical for TVE, as it navigates the complexities of a festival that has now severed ties with Eurovision, which Spain opted out of due to ongoing political controversies regarding Israel's participation. The 2026 Benidorm Fest represents a turning point, as the network aims to prove that the festival can thrive independently without Eurovision, amidst doubts from both viewers and critics. The challenge lies in captivating an audience that has been accustomed to the Eurovisoon affiliation.

Despite the overall decline in numbers, TVE could take some solace in leading the viewership during the prime time slot. With the semifinal airing at nearly eleven o'clock and faced with limited competition, the network managed to attract a substantial amount of attention, even if it falls short of historical standards. It remains to be seen how the festival evolves without its Eurovisoon connection, but this first semifinal could lay the groundwork for a new direction for the Benidorm Fest, emphasizing the need for strategic programming to draw in viewers once again.