Crime & Investigation Heads to Spain

NEW YORK/MADRID: The Crime & Investigation Network (CI) is launching with a fully localized service in Spain to more than 1.5 million subscribers.

The channel will be operated and distributed in Spain by The History Channel Iberia, a joint venture of A&E Television Networks and Chello Multicanal. CI will be carried by ONO and Imagenio. The service will be localized in Spanish and carry local advertising. The launch slate includes The First 48, Manhunters and Crime 360.

“I am sure that Crime & Investigation Network will follow the same successful path obtained by The History Channel Iberia with Canal de Historia and Bio in Spain,” said Diego Castrillo, the general manager of The History Channel Iberia. “The combination of the top-rated programming library of AETN, an unique and exquisite design and on-air look, plus the localization factor brought by Chello Multicanal, will surely make Crime & Investigation Network a big success in Spain, as it has proved to be in other major markets.” 

“On the back of the outstanding success of Crime & Investigation Network in the U.K. and Central Europe, it is our plan to launch CI in several major pay TV markets in 2011," added Dean Possenniskie, the managing director for Europe at AETN. "We are very pleased to confirm the first of these will be Spain, a significant distribution milestone for us in Europe. From its first launch in 2005, Crime & Investigation Network has struck a chord with viewers around the world, and we believe that appeal will extend to the advertising and distribution community.”

“This new launch reinforces Chello Multicanal’s position as the leading producer of pay TV channels in Spain and consolidates our strategic alliance with AETN," commented Eduardo Zulueta, the general manager of Chello Multicanal. "Thirteen years ago, this JV was created with which we successfully developed the HISTORY and BIO brands in the Iberian market. I’m sure of the enormous potential of Crime & Investigation Network thanks to its unique and original content in the Spanish market. It will help us to achieve greater targets and significantly increase our audience.”