Next TV Receives Contracts with the State While Maintaining a Debt with the Social Security Fund (CSS)
While Next TV maintains a debt with the CSS, Strategic Promo Panamá, SA concentrates public advertising contracts.
Investigations in Panama revealed that public advertising contracts are channeled through alternative corporate entities like Strategic Promo Panamá, S.A.—controlled by Next TV’s general manager—allowing the television station to receive state funds while simultaneously maintaining overdue financial debts with the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS).
Key Details of the Situation
- The Mechanism: Instead of contracting directly with Next TV, the state awards public service and advertising contracts to a secondary company managed by the same executive leadership.
- The Debt: Next TV maintains an active backlog and financial debt with Panama’s Social Security Fund, contributing to broader corporate delinquency trends affecting the CSS.
- Public Scrutiny: Questions have been raised regarding the transparency and legality of awarding state funds to entities linked to delinquent media operators rather than enforcing compliance or direct contracting rules.
The General Manager and executive general director of Next TV (Compañía Digital de Televisión, S.A.) in Panama is Juan Carlos Pino pictured below (also known as Juan Carlos Pino Linares).
Professional Background
- Next TV Role: Serves as the General Manager / Executive General Director.
- Prior Experience: Former General Manager of the Tocumen International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen).
Why is the State entering into contracts with a company controlled by the general manager of Next TV, instead of directly with the television station that will provide the service? While the television station is listed as a delinquent employer by the CSS, Strategic Promo Panamá, SA is entering into contracts with the State to advertise on Next TV’s screen, platforms, and networks.
