‘FIRST DATES’ CELEBRATES ITS NINTH ANNIVERSARY ON CUATRO

In its nine-year history, television’s most romantic restaurant has welcomed nearly 21,000 singles and hosted over 10,400 dates. From the love stories that blossomed on the show, eleven babies have been born and ten weddings celebrated

Nine years, more than 10,400 dates, a dozen weddings, eleven babies born from couples who met on the show, and thousands of stories that have highlighted the many ways love can be lived—with tolerance and respect for diversity. On Monday 28 April at 21:50, Cuatro will mark the ninth anniversary of First Dates with a special episode titled ‘Nine Years of Love’, where host Carlos Sobera and his team will throw a joyful birthday celebration full of fun and playful spirit. The party will feature hopscotch—a symbol of the show’s journey over the years—as well as a game of Twister, a ball pit, and a musical corner where love will be toasted with cake, confetti, live music from the band Despistaos, and a touching proposal to round off the evening.

Carlos Sobera reflects, “First Dates has stayed true to its core from the start: the search for love and the fight against loneliness. It does so through real people, who are characterised by their authenticity and willingness to open up, express their feelings, thoughts, and desires. That kind of openness is increasingly rare in today’s world.”

Sobera adds, “Over the past nine years, the show has evolved thanks to a deeper understanding of the format. People have learned to be uninhibited and now come to the show with sincerity and openness, knowing that the previous examples set a precedent for how they can pursue their dreams of love. I think that’s a powerful evolution.”

First Dates in Numbers
Produced by Cuatro in collaboration with Warner Bros. ITVP Spain, First Dates has aired 2,096 episodes, hosted more than 10,400 dates, and welcomed nearly 21,000 singles since its debut. During these dates, around 21,000 meals have been served, with viewers witnessing thousands of kisses. Eleven babies have been born and ten weddings held as a result of the connections formed on the show.

Interestingly, around 65% of couples who appeared on the show agreed to a second date—a figure that exceeded 80% during the pandemic.

Over 100 professionals make up the First Dates team. In the studio, 26 robotic cameras and eight fixed cameras capture every gesture, ensuring a natural dating experience without interference.

Diversity has always been a core value of the show. Since its earliest episodes, First Dates has featured polyamorous couples, pansexual, asexual, intersex, demisexual, transgender, cisgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals. Love on First Dates knows no boundaries—be it gender, age, or identity. The show has dedicated special episodes to World Autism Awareness Day, disability, LGBTQ+ Pride, and senior love stories.

Over the years, themed specials have included Second Dates, Second Chances, Love at First Sight, Blind Dates, and celebratory episodes for Carnival, Christmas, Halloween, Pride, Pajama Parties, Dolls, Superheroes, and Traditional Costumes.

The Anniversary Special: Six Couples and a Surprise Proposal
To celebrate nine years of First Dates, six couples have reserved a table at the show’s restaurant. Nieves and José will be the first to arrive. She’s a flamenco dancer and influencer from Granada, hoping to leave past heartbreaks behind. Her date is an artist and waiter from Málaga, with whom she shares a love for Disney and social media.

The restaurant will also set the stage for the meeting between Vicente, a retired fisherman from Alicante and a passionate Elvis Presley impersonator, and Luz, a singer from Valencia who radiates positive energy.

Elsewhere, Álex, an artist with a Transylvanian soul now based in Tenerife, a fan of meditation and outspoken critic of vulgarity, will meet Martín, an Argentinian DJ and music producer, hopeless romantic and advocate of conscious love. Another table will be shared by María, a businesswoman from Valencia who’s been single for nearly a decade and is determined to heal old wounds, and Dani, a community manager from Murcia who admits that nerves get the best of him when he’s attracted to someone.

Meanwhile, Laura, a vibrant communicator from Madrid, and Camilo, an actor and film student, will go on a date marked by her overflowing energy and his reflective, slower-paced nature. Lastly, Ignacio and Juanita will return to the restaurant where their love story began, ready to take the next step in their relationship. After a year and a half together, Ignacio has a surprise in store: an emotional marriage proposal in the place where it all began.

Cuatro’s Most-Watched Show
With an average audience of 926,000 viewers and a 7.3% share, First Dates maintains its position as Cuatro’s highest-rated show over the past year (19 April 2024 to 21 April 2025), leading by more than a point over its nearest competitor (6.1%). It boasts a 7% commercial target share, outperforming its competitor’s 5.4%, and surpasses its national average in regions such as Castilla La Mancha (11%), Murcia (8.6%), Navarra (8.3%), Galicia (8.2%), Aragón (8.1%), Canarias (8.1%), Balearic Islands (7.9%), Andalusia (7.8%), and ‘Resto’ (9%).