Net TV (Argentina)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting, Television |
| Founded | October 1, 2018 |
| Headquarters | Buenos Aires , Argentina |
| Owner | Grupo Perfil |
| Parent | Kuarzo Entertainment Argentina |
Net TV is a commercial television channel based in Argentina, owned by Grupo Perfil and managed by Kuarzo Entertainment Argentina. Its headquarters are located in Barracas, Buenos Aires. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 2018, debuting with the culinary talk show Como Todo. It holds the distinction of being Argentina's sixth "must carry" broadcast station and the first new entrant since América TV's launch in 1964.
History
The concept for Net TV originated with Grupo Perfil’s founder Jorge Fontevecchia, who aimed to diversify the company’s media portfolio by entering audiovisual broadcasting. In October 2015, Perfil inaugurated new facilities in Barracas that included both radio and television studios. At that time, they submitted an application to the Federal Authority for Audiovisual Communication Services (AFSCA) seeking licenses for new radio and television outlets. The initial proposal encompassed AM and FM radio frequencies as well as digital TV channels classified as must carry. However, this application was denied in September 2015 due to incomplete documentation.
In 2016, Grupo Perfil partnered with Kuarzo Entertainment Argentina to resubmit their request. This time, they successfully obtained licenses for AM 1190 kHz, FM 101.9 MHz, and two digital television channels serving the Greater Buenos Aires area through the National Communications Entity (ENACOM). The license for Net TV was assigned to digital channel 27.2, alongside Alfa TV (21.1) and Bravo TV (27.1), which remain under testing phases. As a must carry broadcaster, Net TV is mandated to be included on all cable television service lineups.
Programming
At launch, Net TV offered original programming on weekdays from noon until 12:30 a.m., starting with the culinary-themed talk show Como Todo. Early offerings also featured talk shows such as Las Rubias + 1 hosted by Marcela Tinayre; Chismoses with Luciana Salazar and Augusto Tartúfoli; Tenemos Wifi presented by Nicolás Occhiato and Stefanía Roitman; and Pampita Íntima led by Pampita. Reality formats included Cuestión de Peso, the Argentine adaptation of The Biggest Loser, and Todo por Amor, based on For Love or Money. Late-night content incorporated a live broadcast from the reality series Por Amor o por Dinero. On November 26, 2018, Net TV introduced its first prime time scripted telenovela titled Millennials. Later that year, the dance competition show Cualquiera Puede Bailar became the network’s inaugural weekend original program.
In 2019, the channel broadened its schedule by adding new talk shows like Gente Opinando, hosted by Joaquín Álvarez; the game show Pareja o Despareja featuring Gastón Soffritti and Stefanía Roitman; and revived Pampita Online. Additional news and interview programs such as Corea del Centro and Periodismo Puro, hosted by Jorge Fontevecchia himself, were incorporated. The series Millennials was renewed for a second season that premiered on June 10. The lineup also welcomed Colombian telenovelas including The Queen of Flow, The Girl, Pablo Escobar, The Drug Lord, and The Mafia Dolls. Furthermore, the sketch comedy show Peligro: Sin Codificar transitioned from Telefe to Net TV, debuting in prime time on August 26.
By 2020, telenovelas like La Promesa and La Viuda Negra were added to the programming roster. That year, Net TV announced a strategic shift focusing more heavily on news and talk show content moving forward.