“The new channel not only closes a gap in our group’s profile, but a gap in the Spanish TV market,” comments Bernd Reichart, Managing Director of the digital channels Neox, Nova and Nitro, adding: “We are convinced that by appealing to a male audience, we are tapping great new potential in the Spanish market.”

The new channel’s programming consists primarily of US series, based on exclusive contracts with three of the major studios – Warner, Fox and Universal. “Roughly 85 per cent of the weekly programme will consist of US content,” explains Reichart. The series include classics like X Files and Columbo, as well as premieres such as the seventh and eighth seasons of 24 and the series Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Flashpoint, Rush and Southland. The new channel also airs the series Without A Trace, which was previously shown on Antena 3. Nitro’s film library includes Paramount and MGM titles, with films including Collateral, The Lords of Steel, Walking Tall and Transporter 3 to be aired under the Nitrocine label. “But of course we will start showing more own productions after the launch. We will cover all the TV genres that are relevant for our target demographic,” Reichart adds.