As I understand from reading the text of the collection of signatures, ETB1 launched the initiative for poor audience data this month. Didn't you expect the Basque chain to have such a low audience?

We have long seen the decline in ETB1, both in our homes, among family members, and in conversations between friends and friends. The deterioration of programming quality was also evident, so we were suspicious.

Once the concern has been raised, we review the data and make sure of these suspicions. Admittedly, the incentive to write the text was for the 13TV network to gather more viewers than the ETB1 network. Unacceptable.

At the time of publishing this interview almost 1,500 people have signed and it has not been long since you launched the initiative. Did you expect this kind of reaction?

No, we didn't expect to get that echo. It is true that we were clear that the concerns and feelings we expressed in the text, in addition to us, were felt by many people in Euskaldunes, and in this sense the response of the people has assured us. But getting the text to them and getting signatures was something else, because it's not easy.

Furthermore, we know that there are people who do not agree with everything that is said in the letter, and although they do not sign the text, it must be taken into account. We must therefore be clear that the discontent with ETB is much greater than the number of signatures.

So as for signatures, no, we didn't expect such a big reaction, but we did think it was going to respond to people's reflection, maybe not in the public sphere, but in the private sphere, between friends and family.

When I was a little ETB1, I was satisfying you as a spectator, not now. What do you think has changed in this time?

In the childhood of many young Basques today, ETB1 has been of great importance. We did not have to look for it anywhere else during leisure time, as Basque television offered us quality content. This link, which initially continued as it grew, has been lost over the years. The motives can be multiple, and of course not everyone is responsible for television. In fact, as has been mentioned in the text, in recent years there have been major changes, especially between the types of entertainment consumption, since today’s television is not just the box (or the plate today) of the living room, on the mobile, on the computer… we can find it anywhere. With more possibilities, we can understand the widespread decline in television of all times, especially among young people, that we have sought new things and new content.

This does not mean, however, that the disillusionment of ETB1’s management and decision-makers on the excuse is justified, as they can do much more on our television, but they clearly prefer to opt for the other channel. That is why we Basques have to give an answer before it is too late.

They say the chain in Euskera lacks an “attractive offer”. What programs do you miss as viewers?

As a spectator, many programs come to mind. As for style, we have always missed a good mood programme, as Wazemank once was, for adults and young people to see, although we know that matching such a large level would be very difficult today.

Besides Goenkale, among others, you can see Pilotari, Aitaren Etxea, Martin or Ihesaldia.

Another option could be to wager on contests. In the rest of the channels, these are the basis of the day’s programming, and that ETB1 has a competition similar to what is usual, based on the Basque language and culture. During the table, or before dinner time, taking advantage, for example, of spectators of competitive information.

Another of the things we have discussed many times among friends would be to make in Basque a program as attractive as The Conqueror of the End of the World. However, it has been a reflection that has been explained to us many times about this, to see why the program has not been done in Euskera, considering that both the presenter and the majority of the participants are Euskaldunes. They wanted to strengthen too much the Spanish chain of ETB, to the detriment of the Basque country, and this successful programme is a clear example of this.

After all, it is clear that those who work on television will know better than us on this subject, but what is clear (people have also said so) is that the majority of the content offered is rather low and in that sense the improvement is necessary.

They say that the Basque country has to be “above any political interest”. Do you think that for this type of interest the Spanish-language chain has been strengthened, to the detriment of the Basque country?

Quite clearly. As we pointed out in the text, ETB1 has been relegated to one side for the benefit of ETB2, it is only necessary to look at the budgets of the programmes of both channels in order to realise this, and we do not believe that anyone doubts that there are political interests behind it. In addition to the reference made in the previous question to the program El conquistador del fin del mundo, it is worth noting that ETB produces 18% more hours in Spanish than in Euskera, five of the six most expensive ETB emissions in 2019 were in Spanish and one in Basque, on Saturdays per night Movies of Success and meanwhile the ETB Antxean and the ETB program in Basque.

Also very significant is the claim made to ARGIA by the actress Itziar Ituño, today in bloom: “ETB1 has been created with a goal and has not complied with at all. Young people have at hand fiction in Spanish... It's hard to compete with him. But not trying to do so is a shame. Before, if it didn't happen, it doubled. Now, not either. (...) I went to Madrid because I had no opportunity to work in the Basque Country.”

They have also talked about duplicates in the text calling for signatures. What do you think of the duplicates who have been on strike for over a year and a half asking to improve their working conditions?

First of all, we want to clarify an issue that does not seem to be reflected in the paper: when reference is made to the Basque Country batua, criticism is not against the unified Basque Country, but against the register used. In our opinion, in the dubbing in Basque, with regard to the content aimed at young people, it is not necessary to bring the register closer to the juvenile language. In reality, language adapts to the situation among speakers, as the same record and form is not used between friends or in the center or job. Our reference was to that.

Regarding the pliers' situation, we understand that their situation is critical, as they directly suffer the consequences of the decision and management of ETB. To the extent that we are asking for quality Basque television for the Basques, we cannot forget that behind this project are the people, and that if the necessary conditions are not met, there will be no possibility of achieving the objective. Furthermore, Basque dubbing is essential for a minority language such as ours to be present in cinemas and on television. We regret the current situation both from the workers' point of view and, by way of conclusion, the damage that this entails for the dissemination of Basque content.

You also asked them to think about the current audience. ETB1 has not adapted to the digital age as much as the Basques?

What we mean is that in the past we have missed that closeness to the viewer. Perhaps as a few years ago he was able to establish that connection with us, in this new stage he has not achieved that connection. There are exceptions, of course, but, in general, the content that we can find in the ETB1 offer is not the subject of debate in our daily lives. Despite the progress of the Basque society, ETB1 maintains the same wager as ever, a sure bet in its judgment, but not according to the audience data.

As stated in the writing, renewing it or dying, but the second option is unacceptable to us, as it would harm the Basque people. As the question says, the adaptation to this digital age is absolutely necessary for the maintenance of the language, and this is not only achieved through academic means, it cannot be limited to the scope of studies.

Do you intend to launch an initiative beyond the collection of signatures?

Our goal was to awaken reflection, both in society and in those who should make decisions, and that's why we came up with collecting signatures and disseminating it through Twitter to give them visibility. And we believe that we have achieved this, or at least that we have approached it.

After all, we are only two young people, and it is clear that we are not going to turn the situation around. We have been the beginning of the wave, but it should not be interrupted. The letter we have produced has emerged from many friendly talks, and we thought that we had a good opportunity to make our opinion known and to stimulate and promote debate on this subject.