NEXtv

NEXtv is a private television broadcaster serving Panama. The station is based in Panama City and operates the television service associated with UHF channel 21 in analog transmission and channel 49 in DVB-T digital transmission, with repeaters extending its reach beyond the capital. Its programming combines locally produced variety shows, news bulletins, nightly political discussion programs, telenovelas, and television series, with a substantial portion of imported entertainment reported to come from Colombia. The channel is owned by Compañía Digital de TV. The station's broadcast history began in 1996, when UHF channel 21 conducted test transmissions under the name RTV on 20 March. Regular programming followed in April. At launch, the service presented itself as a dynamic, independent, and non-partisan television outlet. The frequency later underwent a major programming and branding change. In July 2005, it became RCM Fem, a female-oriented channel intended to address a perceived gap in Panama's free-to-air television market. RCM Fem initially featured seven Argentine telenovelas drawn from Telefe's catalog, ten original programs, and relays of RCM News bulletins. In September 2012, RCM Television was acquired by Ricardo Francolini and former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli. Following the acquisition, the channel was renamed NEXtv. The rebranding marked a shift away from the RCM Fem identity toward a broader general-interest television format. The station's later schedule has included domestic entertainment and information programming alongside serialized drama and imported television series. NEXtv operates within a wider broadcasting group that also includes Viva Canal 33, described as a station focused on religious programming, and Más 23 TV, a music-video channel. KW Continente 95.9 FM is identified as a partner radio station broadcasting from NEXtv facilities. These relationships place NEXtv within a broader Panamanian media operation rather than as an isolated television outlet. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate corporate history, current executive roster, financial performance, or detailed audience figures for the brand.

NEXtv's broadcast lineage can be traced to UHF channel 21 in Panama. The frequency began test broadcasts on 20 March 1996 under the RTV name, followed by regular broadcasts in April. The original service promoted itself as dynamic, independent, and non-partisan, establishing the frequency as a general television outlet in Panama's over-the-air market. The channel adopted a new identity in July 2005, when the frequency was used by RCM Fem. This iteration was designed as a female-oriented service and was positioned to fill a gap in Panama's free-to-air television landscape. Its initial schedule included seven Argentine telenovelas from Telefe's catalog, ten original productions, and relays of news bulletins from RCM News. The format therefore combined imported serialized entertainment with locally produced programming and news content. A second major transition occurred in September 2012, when RCM Television was purchased by Ricardo Francolini and Ricardo Martinelli, a former president of Panama. After the transaction, the channel was renamed NEXtv. Under the NEXtv identity, the schedule broadened beyond the RCM Fem positioning. Reported programming has included domestic variety shows, newscasts, nightly political talk programs, telenovelas, and television series, particularly productions from Colombia. The station is based in Panama City and is reported to broadcast through analog UHF channel 21 and digital DVB-T channel 49, supported by several repeaters across Panama. Its ownership is attributed to Compañía Digital de TV. Related broadcasting operations include Viva Canal 33, which carries religious programming, and Más 23 TV, a music-video station. KW Continente 95.9 FM is described as a partner radio service operating from NEXtv facilities. Available reference material provides only limited information about later corporate developments, leadership, finances, audience performance, or specific program titles. NEXtv is nevertheless identifiable as a Panamanian television broadcaster whose current brand emerged from the earlier RTV and RCM Fem identities.

• 2012

  RCM Television is acquired and renamed NEXtv

  [1]NEXtven.wikipedia.org

  RCM Television was acquired by Ricardo Francolini and Ricardo Martinelli in September, after which the channel adopted the NEXtv name.

• 2005

  The frequency becomes RCM Fem

  [1]NEXtven.wikipedia.org

  The channel was relaunched as RCM Fem, a female-oriented free-to-air service featuring Argentine telenovelas, original programs, and RCM News relays.

• 1996

  RTV begins test broadcasts

  [1]NEXtven.wikipedia.org

  UHF channel 21 began test transmissions on 20 March under the RTV name, with regular broadcasts commencing in April.

A general-interest Panamanian free-to-air broadcaster combining domestic programming, news, political discussion, telenovelas, and imported television series.

• Television broadcaster · 2012

  NEXtv television channel

  NEXtv is a Panamanian general-interest television service. It broadcasts from Panama City through analog UHF channel 21 and digital DVB-T channel 49, with repeaters serving additional parts of Panama. Its reported schedule includes locally produced variety programs, news, nightly political talk shows, telenovelas, and television series, especially programming from Colombia.

• Television broadcaster · 1996

  RTV

  RTV was the original identity associated with the UHF channel 21 frequency. The station tested its signal in March 1996 and began regular broadcasts the following month. It presented itself as a dynamic, independent, and non-partisan television outlet before the frequency later adopted the RCM Fem identity.

• Television broadcaster · 2005

  RCM Fem

  RCM Fem was a female-oriented television service that used the frequency from July 2005. Its launch schedule included seven Argentine telenovelas from Telefe, ten original programs, and relays of RCM News bulletins. The identity ended when RCM Television was acquired and the channel was renamed NEXtv in 2012.

• 2012

  Acquisition and rebranding of RCM TelevisionM&A

  Background

  RCM Television changed ownership in September 2012.

  Action taken

  Ricardo Francolini and Ricardo Martinelli acquired the television operation, which was subsequently renamed NEXtv.

  Aftermath

  The channel moved from the RCM Fem identity to a broader NEXtv general-interest format.

  Source

• 2005

  Adoption of the RCM Fem formatStrategy

  Background

  The UHF channel 21 frequency was repositioned as a female-oriented service intended to address a gap in Panama's over-the-air television market.

  Action taken

  The channel introduced the RCM Fem identity and built its initial schedule around Argentine telenovelas, original programming, and news relays.

  Aftermath

  The RCM Fem identity was later replaced after the channel's 2012 acquisition and rebranding as NEXtv.

  Source

• 2021

  NEXTV service ends

  Other

  NEXTV discontinued its service on December 31, 2021, according to information published on the service's website.

• 2012

  Ethnic Channels Group acquires Greater Toronto Area BDU licence[2]Ethnic Channels Group获得大多伦多地区BDU许可证en.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  Ethnic Channels Group acquired a broadcasting distribution undertaking licence for the Greater Toronto Area, expanding its regulated Canadian distribution capabilities alongside its Internet-based activities.

• 2007

  NEXTV launches as an Internet-delivered multicultural television service[2]Ethnic Channels Group获得大多伦多地区BDU许可证en.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  NEXTV began operating in Canada as an over-the-top provider delivering multicultural television programming through a high-speed Internet connection and set-top box.

1. 1NEXtven.wikipedia.org
2. 2Ethnic Channels Group获得大多伦多地区BDU许可证en.wikipedia.org