La Sexta launches new channels

Spanish free-to-air broadcaster La Sexta has launched a pair of new channels and overhauled the programming line-up at its existing second channel La Sexta 2.

The Mediapro-backed broadcaster has launched La Sexta 3, a classic scripted series and movies channel and La Sexta HD, a high-definition version of its main channel.

La Sexta 2 will be redesigned to fit into the bouquet of channels by specialising in reality content with some news, current affairs and documentary programming.

The mornings and early afternoons slots on La Sexta 3, meanwhile, will be exclusively programmed with soaps and drama.

“With the design of all of the channels, we are entering a second phase of the history of the network offering viewers a ample range of TV content which targets a wide cross-section of the audience, but keeping true to the our defining traits which have made laSexta entertaining yet innovative and committed”, said LaSexta managing director José Miguel Contreras.

Analysts continue to speculate that there will be further consolidation in the Spanish TV market and that La Sexta will start to work more closely with Planeta-backed Antena 3. Mediaset-backed broadcaster Telecinco recently won approval to acquire its smaller counterpart Cuatro from struggling media group Prisa.