Television channel VinTV will add all seven seasons of the 1980s American sitcom Growing Pains to its schedule starting Tuesday, September 1.
The channel, which is part of AMC Networks, will broadcast the family comedy from Monday to Friday at 21:00. Known in Spain as Los problemas crecen, the show was a mainstay of television entertainment during the second half of that decade.
Created by Neal Marlens, the sitcom originally aired between 1985 and 1992. The storyline centers on the daily lives of married couple Jason and Maggie Seaver.
The plot begins when Jason decides to move his psychiatry practice to the family home so his wife can return to her career. Their household is quickly overwhelmed by the excentricities of their three children, Mike, Carol and Ben.
Using wholesome humor, the seven-season production combined everyday domestic mix-ups with the moral dilemmas of growing up.
Leonardo DiCaprio's early breakout role
Beyond its traditional sitcom structure, Growing Pains holds a key place in television history for launching the career of American actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
DiCaprio joined the cast during the seventh season at 16 years old to play Luke Brower, an impoverished student taken in by the Seaver family. He appeared in 23 episodes after writers introduced the character to refresh ratings during the final run of the show.
His performance on the show served as a direct stepping stone into major film projects, including his role in the 1993 film What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
Broadcasting history and accolades
The series built a strong cultural presence in Spain following its national debut on public television in November 1988. Reruns across multiple channels in subsequent years cemented its popularity among successive generations of viewers.
Growing Pains earned two Emmy Awards and more than 15 industry honors during its run. Its return to subscription television aims to reaffirm its status as a classic of American television comedy.
