Ideal

Ideal is a Spanish-language daily newspaper edited and published in Granada, Spain. Its principal geographic focus is eastern Andalusia, where it maintains editions for the provinces of Granada, Almería and Jaén. The title is part of Corporación de Medios de Andalucía, a regional media company belonging to Grupo Vocento, one of Spain's larger newspaper groups. Although its editorial and commercial reach is concentrated in southeastern Andalusia rather than the whole country, Ideal is regarded as one of the principal newspapers in Andalusia and has historically held a strong subscription position in the provinces it serves. The newspaper was launched on 8 May 1932 by Editorial Católica after the disappearance of the Catholic and conservative newspaper La Gaceta del Sur in 1931. Its creation was associated with the Catholic hierarchy of Granada and involved journalists including Ángel Herrera Oria and Pedro Gómez Aparicio. In its early period, Ideal adopted an explicitly Catholic and conservative editorial orientation. Its principal local rival was the liberal El Defensor de Granada. The paper was considered technically well produced for its time, with the work of typographer Ramón Ruiz Alonso receiving particular recognition. During the Second Spanish Republic, the newspaper reportedly reached a circulation of approximately 9,000 copies. Ideal was directly affected by the political conflict of the 1930s. On 10 March 1936, right-wing supporters burned its offices, destroyed its printing press and left the premises unusable. Publication was suspended for several months. The newspaper returned to Granada in early July 1936, shortly before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. This episode forms one of the defining disruptions in the title's early history. Over time, Ideal developed from a Granada newspaper into a regional publication with local editions and a broader Andalusian audience. Its distribution remains largely centered on Granada, Almería and Jaén, allowing the title to combine regional reporting with province-specific coverage. The newspaper also participates in the supplement practices of Grupo Vocento: its Sunday edition includes XLSemanal, a general-interest magazine featuring reporting, interviews and contributions from writers such as Arturo Pérez-Reverte and Juan Manuel de Prada. In 2010, Ideal was reported to reach about 164,000 daily readers according to the Estudio General de Medios. The available reference material characterizes it as the most widely subscription-based newspaper in its three principal provinces and as one of the leading newspapers in Andalusia. In February 2021, Miguel Cárceles was appointed the newspaper's delegate in Almería, succeeding Ángel Iturbide. The title therefore operates as a regional newspaper brand within Vocento's wider portfolio, combining a long-established print identity with local editions and associated supplements.

Ideal was established in Granada on 8 May 1932 by Editorial Católica. The newspaper emerged after La Gaceta del Sur, a Catholic newspaper in Granada, had ceased publication in 1931. The Catholic hierarchy of Granada supported the creation of the new title, and journalists associated with its launch included Ángel Herrera Oria and Pedro Gómez Aparicio. During its early decades, Ideal was openly Catholic and conservative in orientation. Its main local competitor was El Defensor de Granada, which represented a liberal editorial position. The newspaper was also noted for its production quality. Ramón Ruiz Alonso worked as a typographer during this period, and the paper was described as one of the best manufactured newspapers in the province. During the Second Republic, its circulation was reported at approximately 9,000 copies. The political violence of 1936 interrupted the newspaper's development. On 10 March, right-wing supporters attacked and burned Ideal's offices. The printing press was destroyed and the premises were reduced to their foundations. As a result, the newspaper disappeared from circulation for several months. It resumed publication in Granada in early July 1936, only shortly before the Spanish Civil War began. In the decades that followed, Ideal evolved from a Granada-centered newspaper into a regional media title serving eastern Andalusia. Its principal distribution area came to include the provinces of Granada, Almería and Jaén, with local editions designed to provide province-specific coverage. The newspaper became part of Corporación de Medios de Andalucía, which is owned by Grupo Vocento. This ownership structure placed Ideal within a broader Spanish newspaper group while preserving its regional identity. The newspaper's editorial proposition combines local reporting, Andalusian regional affairs, general news, opinion and cultural coverage. Its Sunday edition follows the supplement model used by other Vocento newspapers and includes XLSemanal, a general-interest magazine containing reports and contributions from writers including Arturo Pérez-Reverte and Juan Manuel de Prada. By 2010, the available reference material described Ideal as the leading subscription-based newspaper in its three main provinces and one of the principal newspapers in Andalusia. Its reported daily readership that year was approximately 164,000 according to the Estudio General de Medios. In February 2021, Miguel Cárceles became Ideal's delegate in Almería, succeeding Ángel Iturbide. The newspaper remains an active regional title headquartered in Granada, with its identity rooted in local journalism and its operating footprint concentrated in eastern Andalusia.

1. 2021New Almería delegate appointed

   Miguel Cárceles became the newspaper's delegate in Almería, succeeding Ángel Iturbide.

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2. 2010Reported readership reaches approximately 164,000

   The Estudio General de Medios was cited as reporting about 164,000 daily readers for Ideal.

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3. 1936Offices destroyed in political attack

   The newspaper's offices were burned on 10 March, its printing press was destroyed, and publication was suspended for several months.

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4. 1936Publication resumes before the Spanish Civil War

   Ideal returned to Granada in early July, shortly before the Spanish Civil War began.

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5. 1932Ideal is founded in Granada

   Ideal published its first issue on 8 May 1932 under Editorial Católica.

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6. 1931Predecessor newspaper disappears

   La Gaceta del Sur, the Catholic and conservative newspaper associated with Ideal's origins, ceased publication.

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A long-established regional Spanish-language daily positioned around local and regional journalism in eastern Andalusia, with strong historical roots in Granada and distribution across Granada, Almería and Jaén.

• IdealDaily regional newspaper1932

  The core Spanish-language daily newspaper published from Granada. It focuses on news and public affairs in eastern Andalusia, combining coverage of Granada, Almería and Jaén with broader regional, national and general-interest journalism.

• Ideal local editionsProvince-specific newspaper editions

  Local editions serve the provinces of Granada, Almería and Jaén. They adapt the broader Ideal brand to province-level reporting and provide the newspaper with a distributed regional presence rather than a single-city-only focus.

• XLSemanalSunday magazine supplement

  A general-interest Sunday supplement distributed with Ideal, as with other Grupo Vocento newspapers. It carries features, reporting and literary or opinion contributions, including work by writers such as Arturo Pérez-Reverte and Juan Manuel de Prada.

• 2021Ideal's Almería delegate changes

  Miguel Cárceles was appointed delegate of Ideal in Almería, replacing Ángel Iturbide.

  Leadership change
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• 1936Ideal offices burned and printing press destroyed

  A group of right-wing supporters set fire to the newspaper's offices on 10 March 1936, destroying its printing press and forcing a publication interruption lasting several months.

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1. Ideal (newspaper)