Mediaset Espana takes 'The L Word'

MADRID -- Mediaset Espana has inked with MGM Spanish free-to-air TV rights to Showtime drama "The L Word," to be broadcast on ME's new female-oriented channel Divinity. The MGM deal also includes Spanish broadcasting rights to library comedy "Will & Grace." Mediaset Espana, whose core channel is commercial web Telecinco, is strengthening Divinity's offer of U.S. programming. ME has also taken from WB a three-skein pack: "Gilmore Girls," "What I Like about You" and "Veronica Mars." Divinity, which launched April 1 in Spain, averaged a 0.9% share in July, mainly boosted by international series such as "Sex and the City" or "Grey's Anatomy." It also airs Spanish fiction such as "Sin tetas no hay paraiso" and parent coaching show "Supernanny." According to ME sources, Divinity will soon program the whole life of "Desperate Housewives," including its 2012 final season. The Mediaset Espana family of channels, which encompasses Cuatro, Factoria de Ficcion and Boing, led the Spanish free-to-air TV market last month, with a 28.7% aud share. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com