‘FIRST DATES’ RECEIVES THE 2026 JOAN RAMÓN MAINAT AWARD AT FESTVAL

Award at the closing gala of FesTVal de Vitoria-Gasteiz, recognising the decade-long journey of a format

Last Saturday, First Dates received the 2026 Joan Ramón Mainat Award at the closing gala of FesTVal de Vitoria-Gasteiz, recognising the decade-long journey of a format that has been part of Cuatro’s access prime time for ten years.

Since its launch in 2016, produced by Warner Bros. ITVP España, First Dates has developed a strong identity of its own and become one of the most recognisable programmes on Spanish television, connecting every evening with viewers and participants from different generations and backgrounds.

The award celebrates the journey of a format that, ten years on, continues to grow while reflecting the diversity of our society through the people who take part and their stories.

As Isabel Navarro, the programme’s Executive Producer, put it during the gala:

“First Dates is a programme full of love, full of inclusion and full of diversity.” 

Thank you to FesTVal for this recognition, and congratulations to the entire First Dates team, both in front of and behind the camera, for making this meeting possible every night.