I am with you all the way there, I only watch two TV programmes each day, the national news (obviously Basque /Spanish) and a programme called "El hormiguero" (which means The Ant Hill) on channel quatro. Although "El hormiguero" starts at about 9.30pm (it is live) and finishes about 10.30pm, it is perfect for the children, it is like a cross between, Tizwas, Parkinson and 'How?' (Remember How? anyone... shite showing my age pretty badly here). Children in Spain seem to go to bed later than kids in the UK, although the programme is aimed at all ages, and has some wonderful political satire, it captivates children with the resident mad scientist who does some serious experiments, some of which you can try at home, most of which you are advised not to try at home. They always have a celebrity guest, from Sylvester Stallone right through the full gamut of people. They have a Coulo o codo (arse or elbow) a close up shot of .. well an arse or an elbow, one has the advert break to make one's mind up... highly entertaining. The ad break on Quatro are short (5mins or less) by Spanish Standards, which means they abide by the law, most TV stations in Spain have such long ad breaks that one can actually switch channels, watch another programme and go back, and the ads are still going, some time the ad break have ad breaks... (local ads) .. seriously. The fine they pay to the broadcasting regulator is considerably less that the income they get from the ads, Quatro is ethical, and left leaning.
http://www.cuatro.com/microsites/el_hormiguero/
The end song of "El hormiguero" goes like this:
Go to bed, go to bed, it's no longer on, and wipe your snot on the mattress, we are very tired and have red eyes, your lice are very sleepy, go to bed, there's nothing going on here, and don't to forget to have a pee, have a pee (PP) Go to sleep, go to sleep, your parents would like to live.
I do not think I will go, that I am very happy watching TV here.
Right now you go to bed your brain is going to dry. Go to bed, there's nothing going on here, and don't to forget to have a pee, have a pee (PP) Go to sleep, go to sleep, your parents would like to live.
It works, so the kids ar in bed when it ends, social contract sorted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbpYgSMqk30
Vete a dormir, Vete a dormir, ya no des mas el toston, Y a pegar mocos en el colchon, Estas muy cansado tienes los ojos rojos, tienen sueno hasta tus peojos, Vete a formit ya no pintas nada aqui, y no to olvides de hacer pipi PI-PI! Vete a dormir, Vete a dormir, que tus padres quieren vivir.
Creo que no me voy a ir que estoy muy a gustico viendo le tele aqui. Tu te vas ahora mismo a acostar que el cerebro se te va a secar. Vete a dormir ya no pintas nada aqui y no olvides de hacer pipi PI-PI! Vete a dormir, Vete a dormir, que tus padres quieren vivir.
. Our licence runs out in November so we've agreed to go back to a no TV zone here. 
Ratty
