A contest, a reality show debate and soon a talent show. Ion Aramendi (San Sebastián, 1977) is in his best moment at Mediaset. In the difficult task of competing with Pasapalabra on Antena 3, the Basque presenter has been adding viewers with the Chain Reaction contest (8pm, Monday to Friday, Telecinco), in which two teams made up of three people compete (friends, family , co-workers…) in different tests to solve strings of words while accumulating money.
The contest started 14 months ago with less than 900,000 viewers and a share of 7.5%, but little by little it has risen above the network’s average (9.9% in January) and now usually exceeds 11%. and has on occasion exceeded 1.3 million viewers. Aramendi is also in charge of the debates on GH Vip and GH Duo and a few days ago Mediaset revealed that he is the one chosen for a new season of Factor X on Telecinco.
With so many projects at Telecinco, are you beginning to feel more responsibility than satisfaction?
No. I feel satisfaction because my goal is to support myself and continue working. I feel privileged to be able to work on something that I am passionate about and to be counted on for projects of different kinds. The responsibility is to move the family forward and be a good father.
Chain Reaction has surpassed the year on air, improving audience data but still far from Pasapalabra, the great rival. How do you rate this first year?
In a positive way because it is a very complicated strip, perhaps the most on television due to competitiveness and because it is very consolidated by rivals. So, reaching that range, fighting with programs that have been broadcast for a long time and that in the first year, although we are far from Pasapalabra, we continue to grow, is a triumph. Furthermore, what is important is the trend. And since it is a very powerful format, I am sure that the audience will continue to grow much more.
The evolution of the contest shows that time must be given to new formats on television.
It’s very important. Especially in such consolidated strips. It is true that in prime time if something does not work it may not have time to settle, but in daily program slots it is much more necessary to look at the medium and long term than the short term because it is a matter of customs and changing habits. And that on television, as in life in general, is not a one-day thing.
Was there pressure when you started Chain Reaction about the goals to achieve?
In general, presenters never put pressure on us about our work. Nor do I feel that the production company had it. The only pressure is the pressure you put on yourself to make a powerful and competitive product. From the beginning we came out with this idea.
What is the differentiating factor of this contest in your opinion?
I have always stressed that it seems to me to be the most playable contest from home of those currently on television. Because it’s as simple as playing with word associations and terms that have some connection with each other. In addition, the game has an addictive point because you want to continually test yourself. There are other contests that are more of a show, that perhaps you can participate in a specific test, but in Chain Reaction you can participate all the time, even in the final, and you can also do it with the whole family.
What is the advantage and disadvantage of having a team on the air for as many weeks as the Mozos de Arousa?
The advantage is that they become friendly faces that have helped us build audience loyalty. Furthermore, since the format was very new, they have learned to play and above all they have also taught us. Disadvantage? That sooner or later they will have to leave and it will make us all very sad.
What relationship do you have with the contestants? Can it extend off set?
I try to have as close a relationship as possible, especially with the contestants who are new, so that they feel as comfortable as possible on set and bring out the best in themselves. With the Mozos de Arousa, who are very good people, we already have a lot of confidence on the set because they have been playing for many months but I continue in my role as presenter and they in that of contestants. Outside of the set we don’t have any dealings because it’s not their thing nor is it logical, out of respect for the rest of the contestants with whom they risk money.
He is also now in charge of the debates of GH Duo and before that of GH VIP. She has always shown his sympathy towards reality shows. What attracts you to this genre?
I am fascinated by the concept of reality of life. Not only in this type of programs, but I also like that real events are dealt with in movies, series, books… I really like biographies. Reality shows are my favorite format along with contests and talent shows. I have been a big follower of GH and Survivors because I like that psychological and sociological game of facing situations and conflicts that are not really the daily routines of life. And with people, too, that you don’t know.
And now he will take charge of Factor X, the talent he needed to complete his trio of favorite formats.
Yes. I face it with great enthusiasm. Factor X is an extraordinary brand. It is a highly tested and proven program in countless countries where it succeeds. I am very much a musician. I have my own group and I like to sing. And I firmly believe that you have to have something to succeed, that some people have and others don’t.
