The attempted cancellation of the Balearic Islands public television series, "Norats," about two victims of the Franco regime, paradoxically led to its highest viewership. The new IB3 management, influenced by the PP and Vox parties, tried to end the series prematurely by airing the final two episodes consecutively. This resulted in an 11.6% audience share, double the channel's usual average.
The series was commissioned by the previous management, directed by Andreu Manresa. The decision to expedite its broadcast was made by the new director-general, Albert Salas, who was later replaced by Josep Codony. This change, supported by PP and Vox, was met with opposition from left-wing parties. The series was previously criticized by Vox for its perceived bias.
"Norats," adapted from Mateu Morro's book, tells the story of a father and son hiding in the Tramuntana mountains for 13 years to escape the Falangists. While the first episode had low viewership, likely due to measurement issues, the subsequent episodes saw significant increases, with the final two episodes reaching a historic high. The show's sudden popularity has sparked a discussion of historical memory and political censorship.
The Balearic Islands' Minister of Presidency and Public Administrations, Antònia Estarellas, defended the series' broadcast, saying it was not censored. However, the opposition views the change in leadership as a threat to IB3's independence. Morro, the author of the book on which the series is based, notes that the controversy highlights the importance of telling uncomfortable historical truths, irrespective of political agendas. The increased viewership, he argues, vindicates the importance of the series' subject matter.