Antena 3 adding Nitro to Neox and Nova

Spanish broadcaster Antena 3’s new channel, Nitro, will launch next month with a programming line-up largely comprised of US-originated content. Antena 3 has acquired programming from the TV distribution arms of Fox, NBC Universal and Warner Bros. The DTT channel will air shows including 24, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and X Files.

Antena 3 already operates two DTT channels, Neox and Nova. The Nitro announcement came as Antena reported better-than-expected results for the first half of 2010. Consolidated revenue came in at €417m and net income €57.6m.

The broadcaster lost audience share through the period, mainly because its primary rival Telecinco had World Cup soccer rights. However, price rises drove advertising revenue increases as the Spanish TV market returned to growth in the period.