Antena 3 serves 'Time' for Spain

MADRID -- Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 has acquired free-to-air TV rights to upcoming ABC fantasy drama "Once Upon a Time." Created by "Lost" exec producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, "Time," a modern-day take on fairytales, bows Oct. 23 Stateside. High-profile series reinforces A3's bet on family-oriented content. The Spanish web has also picked up AMC Western "Hell on Wheels" and drama "Torchwood: Miracle Day." With "Day," a co-production by BBC Worldwide with cabler Starz, A3 continues its recent run in new Brit TV fiction after picking up early this year BBCW series "Sherlock" and "Upstairs Downstairs," and scoring high ratings with ITV's "Downton Abbey" (14.8% share; 2.9 million viewers). Controlled by DeAPlaneta, conglom Antena 3 group encompasses core channel A3 and three more nationwide TV services: Neox, Nova and Nitro. Last month, A3 channels jointly nabbed a 16.5% aud share, the third best ranking in the Spanish free-to-air TV market, behind the Mediaset Espana group (28.7%) and pubcaster RTVE (22.2%). Core channel Antena 3's highlights in July included family-friendly gamers "Ahora caigo," the Spanish adaptation of NBC gameshow "Still Standing," and "Atrapa un millon," a local version of Endemol global hit quiz show "The Million Pound Drop." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com