Spain's 'Pasapalabra' launches new 'AlaZ' final test, hits 28% share

Antena 3's long‑running quiz show Pasapalabra introduced a new final round called AlaZ on 19 June, replacing the historic Rosco after a Spanish Supreme Court ruling that barred the use of the original format. The change was driven by a decision that the Rosco rights belong to a Dutch producer, forcing Atresmedia to find a legally safe alternative.

The debut round drew an average audience of 1.6 million viewers (21.9 % share) and peaked at 28.3 % share in the “golden minute” at 21:02, making it the most‑watched programme of the day. Host Roberto Leal presented the first duel between contestants David Trigoy and Javier Alonso, with a prize pool of €658 000.

AlaZ differs from the Rosco in several ways: contestants answer alphabetically from A‑Z or Z‑A, can request a “letra” clue at the cost of five seconds, and start with a base of 110 seconds plus any accumulated time. The format displays the initial letter, word length and blanks on screen, giving viewers a clearer way to play along. The new mechanics aim to retain the show’s core appeal while complying with the court’s ruling.