The Argentine businessman José Luis Manzano, one of the main shareholders of Telefe and a prominent figure in Grupo América, has entered the Spanish audiovisual market as a key investor in the consortium SIETE (Integrated Television Entertainment Services), which has just obtained a national license for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) for a new open television signal.
The award was recently approved by the Spanish Government's Council of Ministers, following a public tender in which SIETE prevailed over other bids, such as the one presented by Mediaset. The space for the new signal emerged from the reorganization of DTT multiplexes, freed up by the technological leap of several channels to Ultra HD. The channel must begin broadcasting before the end of November 2026.
Manzano, a former Minister of the Interior during Carlos Menem's government and currently a partner in major Argentine media, is participating privately in the project.
“We always invest in independent media, without partisan orientation,” sources from the investment group stated to this outlet. They added: "We are open to seeing other opportunities. Our line is democratic values, freedom, and market economy.”
Regarding the project in Spain, they noted: “At 7 we have no editorial control because we have proposed pluralism and no partisan orientation, and that is the agreed policy.”
Additionally, they highlighted the profile of the media they control in Argentina: “Our media are completely independent: La Capital has more than 150 years, leading its market. Meanwhile, El Cronista is nearly 100 years old and leads its market. For its part, Telefe is 30 years old and is a leader in its market,” they detailed.
Profile of the businessman
Manzano is a reference in the media, energy, and infrastructure sector in Argentina. Through Integra Capital and associated companies, he has consolidated positions in Telefe (audience leader), América TV, El Cronista, La Capital de Rosario, and other platforms. His approach to President Javier Milei has been public in recent times, although his career includes roles in Peronist governments.
Manzano's arrival in Spain generates expectations in the audiovisual sector. The new channel is positioned with an emphasis on information, current affairs, and original production, competing in a consolidated market.
From SIETE, they have insisted that the project will prioritize pluralism and editorial neutrality, to combat fake news and establish itself as a reference in the Spanish market.
