Podcast Summary: Más de uno – “La España que madruga” (16/02/2026)

Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

In this vibrant episode of "La España que madruga," Carlos Alsina and his diverse team of commentators deliver their signature mix of humor, sharp analysis, and current events to wake up Spain. As always, the show blends lively banter, media criticism, political dissection, and a look at sports and culture, all sprinkled with wit and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Tone: The Life and Irony of Journalism ([00:01]–[00:34])

• The episode opens with a tongue-in-cheek homage to journalists and early risers, featuring self-deprecating jokes and theatrical praise—and even mock insults from critics.
  • “Renuncian a dormir para otear lo que trae el día.” ([00:05], Narrator)
  • “Su la libertad… y su las ojeras.” ([00:24]-[00:27], Narrator)

2. Monday Morning Roundtable ([01:06]–[03:39])

• Carlos Alsina welcomes regulars including Professor Rodríguez Brown (economist), Rosa Belmonte (critic), and journalists, sparking a playful mood:
  • Book recommendations and the exhaustion of the team's prolific output:
    • “Por Dios, qué agotamiento.” ([01:21], Alsina)
    • Quick wit about recommending a book without reading it (“La recomiendo como Pedro Sánchez, que no ha leído libro y lo recomienda.”, [01:43], Belmonte)
  • Sports: Congratulations to Víctor Niño, new archery champion, prompted by “presiones de la madre.” ([01:48]–[02:00])
  • Humorous plugs: Listeners and panelists use the platform to promote events (“Voy a empezar a cobrar.”, [02:12], Alsina).

3. Las Siete Preguntas y Media (The Seven and a Half Monday Questions) ([02:26]–[03:33])

• Alsina presents quirky, reflective “questions and a half” to start the week:
  • Rediscovered appreciation for the sun after two months
  • The sorry state of Spanish roads versus railways
  • The reopening of the Sevilla–Madrid train line
  • Infrastructure woes and Extremadura’s slow trains
  • “¿Cómo va a llover a gusto de todos?” – on pleasing everyone.

4. Political Panorama & Press Highlights ([03:39]–[07:07])

• Deep review of Monday's newspaper stories:
  • Political polls: PSOE in decline, PP and Vox rising.
    • “Las dos sitúan al PSOE en caída libre… nada puede hacer Sánchez salvo rezar para que a Rufián le salga bien su proyecto y dé lugar a un frente de izquierdas que reúna el voto.” ([03:44]–[04:30], Political Analyst)
  • Vox’s push to prohibit the burka, with PP and Junts open to support ([04:30])
  • Internal PSOE strife and corruption cases:
    • “Portada del Mundo: Sánchez lleva a mínimos de poder al PSOE y se multiplica la tensión interna.” ([05:13])
    • Zapatero’s paid reports, Ábalos under scrutiny
  • Judiciary in crisis: “El Supremo pide a los abogados que pacten 4.500 asuntos y la Audiencia paraliza casos por falta de funcionarios.” ([06:14])
  • Global news: Ukraine war anniversary, Macron and Meloni seek talks with Putin, Venezuela’s Maduro asks for amnesty.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “El guionista ya ha puesto esas ollas de la información. Kuensos que son los periódicos.” ([05:13], Political Analyst)
• “La situación es delicada no sólo en las infraestructuras, también en la justicia.” ([06:14], Political Analyst)

5. Rosa Belmonte’s Media Analysis: “Hoguera de Belmonte” ([07:36]–[09:56])

• Insightful and humorous media round-up:
  • Zapatero’s “informes de análisis relevante” (ARR) and their relevance questioned.
  • Rufián’s growing profile amid Esquerra turbulence.
  • Social commentary: unlikely wealth markers in Madrid’s rental market
    • “Eres rico si puedes pagar un alquiler solo en Madrid.” ([08:48], Belmonte)
  • Aging and displacement: “Mayores de 60 expulsados de Madrid… viven alejados de su familia al ser incapaces de hacer frente a un alquiler.” ([08:43])
  • Cultural snippets: decline in Benidorm Fest’s audience, Los Chunguitos' musical identity.

6. Economy in Focus: Profesor Rodríguez Brown ([09:56]–[11:21])

• Spanish business abroad: Ibex groups pull back from Latin America; Santander and Mapfre in profit
• National: Tensions over private–public hospital services, State debts rising, criticism of government economic strategy.
• International: Cross-border banking in EU at highest since 2008; US companies appointing younger CEOs.
• Humorous finisher: On intellectual currency—“Tres consignas por una idea.” ([11:24], Rodríguez Brown)

7. Sports Update: Felix José Casillas ([11:38]–[13:14])

• La Liga: Barça and Girona play, Real Madrid briefly tops, Atlético’s road woes, Betis gaining.
  • “Sólo ha ganado 3 de los 12 partidos jugados fuera de casa…” ([12:26], Casillas)
• European cups lined up for the week.
• Basketball: Copa de baloncesto held in Valencia, Real Madrid as leaders.
• All Star: Anthony Edwards as MVP, nod to Winter Olympics.
• Summary: “El mandato del balón permite al Barça recuperar la iniciativa en este mano a mano…” ([11:59], Casillas)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “La recomiendo como Pedro Sánchez, que no ha leído libro y lo recomienda.”
  – Rosa Belmonte ([01:43])
• “Las dos sitúan al PSOE en caída libre… nada puede hacer Sánchez salvo rezar para que a Rufián le salga bien su proyecto y dé lugar a un frente de izquierdas que reúna el voto.”
  – Political Analyst ([03:44]–[04:30])
• “Eres rico si puedes pagar un alquiler solo en Madrid.”
  – Rosa Belmonte ([08:48])
• “Tres consignas por una idea.”
  – Profesor Rodríguez Brown ([11:24])
• “Sólo ha ganado 3 de los 12 partidos jugados fuera de casa…”
  – Felix José Casillas ([12:26])

Important Timestamps

• [00:01] Opening satire and tribute to journalists
• [01:06] Main roundtable and book talk
• [02:26] “Siete preguntas y media” segment
• [03:39] Political and press review
• [07:36] “Hoguera de Belmonte” media analysis
• [09:56] Economic news with Rodríguez Brown
• [11:38] Sports update

Tone and Style

Witty, lively, irreverent yet informative—the panel’s interplay merges humor with incisive social and political commentary. The columnists unspool Spanish current affairs and media culture with sharp observations, stories, and plenty of “Spain, you gotta laugh or else” energy.

Conclusion

This episode of “La España que madruga” delivers a full-bodied review of Spanish news, politics, society, and sport, laced with self-aware wit and genuine camaraderie. From infrastructure rants to sports drama, and from political intrigue to the economics of everyday life, Alsina and his fellow early risers bring listeners the news with their trademark mix of earnestness, irony, and debate.