RCTV

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Radio Caracas Televisión Internacional
RCTV Internacional logo
Type Cable television network
Defunct broadcast television network
Branding RCTV Internacional
Country Flag of Venezuela Venezuela
First air date November 15, 1953 (as an over-the-air network)
July 16, 2007 (as a cable-only network)
Availability International
Founded August 18, 1953
by William H. Phelps, Jr.
Slogan "Tenemos con que" (We have what it takes)
"Un amigo es para siempre" (A friend is forever)
"Alto Pana" (High-up Friend)
Licence area Formerly national
(expired on May 27, 2007)
Broadcast area International
Owner Radio Caracas Televisión RCTV, C.A. / Empresas 1BC
Key people Marcel Granier, Empresas 1BC Director
Eladio Lárez, RCTV President
Launch date November 15, 1953 (as an over-the-air network)
July 16, 2007 (as a cable-only network)
Dissolved May 27, 2007 (as an over-the-air network)
Former names Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV)
Former callsigns YVKS-TV
Website
RCTV

Radio Caracas Televisión Internacional (RCTV Internacional) is a Venezuelan cable television network headquartered in the Caracas neighborhood of Quinta Crespo. It is sometimes referred to as the Canal de Bárcenas. Owned by Empresas 1BC, RCTV Internacional was inaugurated as Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) on November 15, 1953 by William H. Phelps, Jr.. Its radio counterpart is Radio Caracas Radio.[1]

On May 27, 2007, RCTV made international headlines when the Venezuelan government decided not to renew their broadcast license for what it claimed was the station's role in the coup which briefly overthrew Venezuela's democratically elected government.[2]

Currently, as of July 16, 2007, RCTV continues to broadcast on cable and satellite systems under the name Radio Caracas Televisión Internacional (RCTV Internacional).

The government also temporarily took power and property of equipment that was property of RCTV, including antennas, transmitters and cameras, to use it in a new government owned channel. RCTV also maintains the right to transmit TV programming via satellite and cable.[2]

The Supreme Court of Justice (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia or TSJ) upheld the decision by the National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) not to renew RCTV's broadcast license.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] 1953 to 1960

RCTV logo 1953 - 1978
RCTV logo 1953 - 1978
RCTV Headquarters in Caracas
RCTV Headquarters in Caracas

Radio Caracas Televisión, C.A. was established on August 18, 1953 by the Corporación Radiofónica de Venezuela (more commonly known as Coraven, a subsidiary of the Grupo Phelps and RCA), whose mission was that of launching a television network.[1][3] In the month of September, the testing phase for Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) began, and finally on November 15, the network was officially inaugurated at 7:30 pm. RCTV was the third television network to begin operations in Venezuela after Televisora Nacional and Televisa, seen on channels five and four, respectively.[1]

On October 8, during RCTV's testing phase, the inaugural game of the XIV World Cup of Baseball was broadcast. This game matched Cuba and Venezuela) and took place at the recently opened stadium of the Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas.[1][4]

The official inauguration of RCTV took place at its studios located between the corners of Bárcenas and Río in Quinta Crespo, and had the presence of the Minister of Communications, Colonel Félix Román Moreno, the proprietors of the network, and a small group of special guests. In charge of the inauguration was William H. Phelps, Jr., the president of the company, and his wife, Kathy Phelps.[4]

The first program that was aired by the newly inaugurated network was the musical Fiesta, which hosted by Ramírez Cabrera and sponsored by Cerveza Caracas. Afterwards, RCTV aired a program titled El Farol, which was then followed by a program sponsored by Cigarrillos Alas that was directed by Peggy Walker which featured Alfredo Sadel (who had just returned from New York City in time for RCTV's inauguration).[1]

The first voice that identified the network was that of Héctor Myerston.[5]

The following day, RCTV began transmitting its regular programming on channel seven, presenting programs such as El Observador Creole, Cuento Musical Venezolano, Tontín y Tontona, the police adventures of Roy Martin, and the adventures of Kid Carson, to name a few. El Observador Creole was Venezuela's first regular newscast, which remained on the for almost twenty years, being replaced by El Observador Venezolano, and then El Observador.[1]

RCTV's first board of directors included José Marcano Coello, Peter Bottome, Armando Enrique Guía, Guillermo Tucker Arismendi, William H. Phelps, Jr., and Antonio Ortol.[1]

In 1954, Anecdotario appeared. This was the first cultural program that theatrically represented great works of literature. It was directed by Margarita Gelabert and César Henríquez.[4] Other cultural programs similar to Anecdotario included Kaleidoscopio, Teatro del Lunes, Gran Teatro, Ciclorama, Cuentos del Camino, and Candilejas.[6]

Later that year, RCTV debuted their first telenovela, Camay (which came on at 9:00 pm). As a result of Camay's popularity, RCTV began producing more telenovelas, which became an important part of the network's programming throughout the years. In the 1950s, telenovelas contained between 20 to 25 episodes, with each episode lasting 15 minutes (about three minuted were allocated to advertisements), and were televised live.[4]

Also in 1954, RCTV began airing El Show de las Doce with Víctor Saume. It was one of the first variety shows to air in Venezuela. Celebrities such as Pedro Infante, Libertad Lamarque, Magdalena Sánchez, Lucho Gatica, and some others guest starred.[6]

In December 1954, RCTV began broadcasting simultaneously on channels two and seven.[1]

In early 1955, RCTV began to transmit exclusively to Caracas, on channel two, from a new transmitting station located in the neighborhood of La Colina. In the month of July, RCTV began its regular service to the interior of the country. A repeater antenna was installed in Altamira, south of Lake Valencia, allowing RCTV to reach, by way of channel seven, Valencia, Maracay, and surrounding towns. Later, RCTV put into service their repeater antenna in Curimagua, Falcón State, so that their signal could reach the entire state and the Netherlands Antilles on channel 10. This station was one of the most modern stations in the moment of its installation.[1]

Also in 1955, the morning show that projected Renny Ottolina, arrived. Lo de Hoy came on at 7:30 a.m. and lasted until 9:00 a.m. It was an adaptation of NBC's Today Show, and as a result of the record audience that it obtained, the show was extended to two hours.[4] In 1958, Ottolina left Lo de Hoy, and went on to host his very own variety show, El Show de Renny.[1]

In March 1956, the operations of the repeater station of Isla de Toas commenced, by which, on channel two, RCTV's signal arrived in the Zulia State. In September 1956, RCTV installed an antenna in Pariata, to serve what is now the Vargas State.[1]

In 1957, RCTV expanded their coverage to the national level, offering an uninterrupted signal of high quality.[4]

In January 1957, RCTV improved their installations at Curimagua and were able to offer an uninterrupted and higher quality signal to the Falcon State and the Netherlands Antilles. The network also began service to the Lara State by way of channel three, transmitting from Mount Manzano in Barquisimeto. On October 31, 1957, RCTV began its first service from Puerto La Cruz to cover the northeastern region of Venezuela on channel three.[1]

In 1958, after the fall of dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez on January 23, RCTV began airing La Voz de la Revolución, the first political talk show to air in Venezuela.[6]

In 1959, Tito Martinez Del Box, a producer from Argentina, created the comedy series La Gran Cruzada del Buen Humor, later known as Radio Rochela. In 2001, Radio Rochela made the Guinness World Records for being on the air for over five decades uninterrupted (it was seen every Monday at 8:00 pm).[6]

By the end of the 1950s, there existed five television channels in Venezuela: Televisora Nacional, Televisa, Radio Caracas Televisión, Televisa del Zulia, and Ondas del Lago Televisión.[1]

[edit] 1960 to 1970

By the 1960s, the American television network, NBC, had purchased a twenty percent stake in RCTV.[7] Although today, NBC no longer owns any part of RCTV, RCTV is affiliated with Telemundo, NBC's Spanish-language network.

In 1961, RCTV realized their first experience with stereo sound during the broadcast of a variety show in conjunction with its radio counterpart, Radio Caracas Radio.[1]

On September 17, 1961, the videotape appeared, a technology which permitted the consolidation of recordings of sounds and images.[4]

Also in 1961, a major fire affected eighty percent of the operating facilities of the network. As a result of this event, RCTV went on the air with an emergency programming.[1]

Later in 1961, the network offered their first service to the city of Puerto Cabello from an antenna located at the naval base in that city.[1]

In 1962, RCTV began into using the first selector of images that was fabricated entirely in the country, demonstrating a technological advancement for the network.[1]

Also in 1962, RCTV began its first service to the Táchira State and the Norte de Santander Department in Colombia from an antenna located in the high barren plain of El Zumbador.[1]

On August 24, 1963, RCTV was given the exclusive rights to broadcast the inauguration of the General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge over Lake Maracaibo.[1] On this day, RCTV realized their first transmission via microwave transmitters from the antennas in Curimagua and Maracaibo. The use of the electronic pointer was incorporated.[4]

Every December 17th between the years 1963 and 1969, RCTV presented, and reran by popular demand, a made-for-TV movie that re-created the death of Simón Bolívar. Written by Alfredo Cortina, starred by the Peruvian actor Luis Muñoz Lecaro (Simón Bolívar), directed by José Antonio Ferrara, and presented by Ruben Darío Villasmil, El Ocaso de un Sol made its mark by being one of the first creations by RCTV recorded on videotape.[1]

In 1964, RCTV began using their new transmitters located in the mountains southeast of Puerto la Cruz and Barcelona to offer a higher quality signal by way of channel three to Isla Margarita, Cumaná, Barcelona, Puerto La Cruz, and surrounding areas in the Sucre and Anzoátegui States. Later, RCTV inaugurated the transmitters on Pico Terepaima, to the south of Barquisimeto, to serve with quality the Lara, Yaracuy, and Portuguesa States by way of channel three, and the one in Maracaibo, covering with better image and sound the Zulia State. In November, from Pico Zamuro, Trujillo, RCTV began transmitting its signal to the towns of Trujillo, Valera, Biscucuy, Boconó, Guanare, and their surrounding areas.[1]

In the 1960s, the number of episodes contained in each telenovela increased, with each one episode lasting between 30 to 60 minutes long, also telenovelas were no longer made live as a result of the arrival of the videotape. By 1964, telenovelas with sole sponsors disappeared with the release of La Novela del Hogar (which came on at 2:00 pm), La Novela de Pasión (which came on at 2:25 pm), and La Novela Romantica (which came on at 2:55 pm). La Tirana (1967, created by Manuel Muñoz Rico), was the first telenovela to be aired on Saturdays.

On May 16, 1965, RCTV placed into service their transmitters at the Mérida cable car. Thanks to this equipment, RCTV's signal covered the entire Andean region of Venezuela.[1]

By 1967, there were seven television networks on the air in Venezuela. They included Radio Caracas Televisión, Venevisión, Cadena Venezolana de Televisión (CVTV), Canal 11 Televisión, Televisora Nacional in Caracas, Teletrece in Valencia, and Canal 11 in Maracaibo. Because of the exaggerated number of channels, both for the audience and the national publicity market, this number, at the beginning of the 1970s, was reduced to four (two private and two official).[1]

On July 17, 1969, RCTV brought to their viewers the first international broadcast: a news conference with the American astronauts that were traveling to the moon the next day.[1] On July 20, RCTV broadcast live and direct the arrival of these astronauts to the moon. Armando Enrique Guía, Hernán Pérez Belisario, and Gustavo Rada were in charge of the transmission which counted on a channel of microwave transmitters and a submarine cable.[4]

[edit] 1970 to 1980

RCTV logo 1978 - 1996
RCTV logo 1978 - 1996

In 1970, RCTV began using the first chromatic signals during the broadcast of the World Cup in Mexico (the same World Cup where Venezuelans were able to see Pelé make his one thousandth goal).[4][8] Unfortunately, by pressure from the government, the network was obligated to use electronic filters.[4]

On November 16, 1971, Producciones Cinematográficas Paramaconi, C.A., a company affiliated with RCTV that specializes in cinematography, was established.[1]

On August 30, 1973, RCTV inaugurated a transmitting station in Punta de Mulatos, between La Guaira and Macuto, to offer a better signal in the region.[1]

On June 23, 1974, RCTV began service to Ciudad Bolívar on channel three, and in July to Puerto Ordaz, on channel two.[1]

In 1974, the miniseries Doña Bárbara began airing. In just 48 episodes of two hours, José Ignacio Cabrujas proposed the job of bringing to television the classic novel authored by Rómulo Gallegos in 1929 and later creating into a trilogy with Canaima and Cantaclaro. Under the direction of the Argentine producer Juan Lamata and with César Bolívar in charge of photography, eighty percent of this production was filmed outdoors (mainly in the llanos of the Apure State). Although it was filmed in color, it was broadcast in black and white. This was the first Venezuelan miniseries projected in Europe and the first program dubbed into another language.[4]

In the mid 1970s, RCTV created the 2 de Oro award as an incentive for the network's artists and talents. The most recent 2 de Oro award show was held on April 15, 2007. The 2 de Oro 2004 award show was held November 7, 2004, and the 2 de Oro 2003 award show was held on November 7, 2003 (there was no 2 de Oro awards in 2005 and 2006).[9] Other (defunct) award shows that aired on RCTV were the Ronda and Meridiano.

In 1975, RCTV initiated the international commercialization of its programs, with some of them being translated and dubbed into more than 15 languages and transmitted in more than 40 countries.[1] The three hundred episode telenovela, La Usurpadora, was RCTV's first seen overseas.

Also in 1975, RCTV launched Alerta, a controversial program that took a look into various social situations in Venezuela. Shortly after Luis Herrera Campins assumed the presidency in 1979, Alerta was taken off the air as a result of a highly controversial report that was conducted on the children's mental hospital located in Catia La Mar.[1] Alerta, as well as Primer Plano and A Puerta Cerrada (the latter to a lesser extent), would make a come back, get cancelled, make another come back, and get cancelled again before making another comeback. The latest reincarnation of Alerta began airing on October 27, 2006 and is hosted by Alexandra Belandia.[10] Alerta was originally hosted by Eladio Larez, the future president of RCTV.[1]

On March 31, 1976, RCTV's transmissions were suspended for 72 hours by the first government of Carlos Andrés Pérez for issuing "false and tendacious news", in regard to the kidnapping of the American businessman William Niehous, then president of Owens-Illinois Venezuela. This was RCTV's first shut down by the government.[1][11]

In 1977, the "cultural telenovela" appeared with La Hija de Juana Crespo and then La Señora de Cárdenas, with both of them captivating their audience with stories that went from the wish of over coming economically and professionally, to infidelity and turbulent marriages.[4]

On January 5, 1978, there was another major fire at RCTV's studios. Fortunately, this fire was no where near as bad as the fire of 1961.[1]

On November 15, 1978, the Fundación Academia de Ciencias y Artes del Cine y Televisión (the Academic Foundation of Sciences and Arts of Film and Television) was founded by William H. Phelps.[4] This academy allowed RCTV to give the opportunity to prepare and train their artists and workers.[12]

During the government of Luis Herrera Campins (1979), the use of color in television was decreed and the American color system, NTSC-M, was adopted. On December 1, 1979, RCTV entered the era of color. Unfortunately, this decree allowed only cultural productions to transmit under this format. Estefanía was RCTV's first production broadcast in color.[4]

[edit] 1980 to 1990

RCTV alternative logo 1984 - 1987
RCTV alternative logo 1984 - 1987
RCTV logo 2005 - present
RCTV logo 2005 - present

In 1980, RCTV began airing the miniseries Gómez I and Gómez II. Although they were both a phenomenon, creator José Ignacio Cabrujas and RCTV were sued for 15 million bolívares (about 13 billion bolívares just before 2008, which converts to 13 million bolívares fuertes) because of its historical errors and "injuring the moral patrimony of the descendants and family of General Gómez".[1]

Also in 1980, RCTV was closed for a 36 hours by the government of Luis Herrera Campins for airing "sensationalist narrations", "risqué pictures", and "news stories lacking facts".[13]

Television networks in Venezuela, whom were already prepared for the change and had occasionally transmitted in this format, made the complete switch-over to color on June 1, 1980.[14]

In 1981, RCTV was closed for 24 hours (by the government of Luis Herrera Campins) for airing "a segment of pornographic film".[15]

According to an article published in the Caracas daily newspaper, El Nacional, dated September 27, 1981, RCTV was admonished by the national government for having announced prematurely the death of ex-president Rómulo Betancourt. The Minister of Communications, Vinicio Carrera, by instructions of President Luis Herrera Campins, was in charge of admonishing RCTV "very severely".

In 1982, Coral International was created to sell and distribute RCTV's programs overseas. In 2005, Coral International changed its name to RCTV International to honor its parent company.[16]

The government of Luis Herrera Campins issued the decrees number 849 and 996, of the years 1980 and 1981, dated November 21 and March 20, and published in the Official Gazette numbers 32,116 and 32,192, respectively. These decrees prohibited, for reasons of public health, television and radio stations to advertise, directly or indirectly, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and other tobacco products.[17]

In 1984, RCTV was admonished for ridiculing "in a humiliating way" President Luis Herrera Campins and his wife.[18]

It was in 1986 that the private television networks in Venezuela were free to use satellite dishes to "download" foreign television signals.[19]

In 1986, was also the year of Cristal, a telenovela of 246 episodes which broke audience records both inside and outside of Venezuela. In Spain, Cristal was aired since 1988 to 1993 on seven different time periods. Later that year (1986), RCTV launched another major production, called La Dama de Rosa, which in 1991 was seen by seven million people in Spain alone.[4]

In 1986, RCTV made a record US$12 million from the sales of their telenovelas overseas.[20]

Also in 1986, Expedición, the first ecological and conservationist series produced in Venezuela began airing, which converted RCTV into a pioneering network in this genre. This series was exported to other countries, particularly the United States, Spain, and Japan.[4] Expedición aired until 1998 and contained a total of 48 episodes.[1]

On May 27, 1987, RCTV's broadcast license was renewed for 20 years by the government of Jaime Lusinchi.[21]

On August 13, 1988, William H. Phelps, Jr., RCTV's founder and first president died at age 85. He had served as RCTV's president for 34 years, retiring from the network only a year before his death.[22]

In 1989, RCTV was closed for 24 hours by the second government of Carlos Andrés Pérez for airing advertisements for cigarettes.[23]

[edit] 1990 to 2000

RCTV logo 1996 - 2007
RCTV logo 1996 - 2007

During the first years of the 1990s, RCTV developed a series of made-for-TV-movies. Some were based on real life events. Among the most highlighted were La Madamme (with Mimí Lazo), Cuerpos Clandestinos (with María Conchita Alonso), Volver a Ti (with Ruddy Rodríguez), and Buen Corazón (with Coraima Torres), among many others.[24]

In 1991, RCTV began using computer-generated imagery to present their logo.[25][26]

On August 1, 1991, the Venezuelan government forced RCTV not to air a sketch in Radio Rochela, called "La Escuelita", due to its controversial nature. This decision was ratified by the Supreme Court.[27][28]

By 1992, RCTV had lost much of its audience to its main rival, Venevisión, but after the launch of Por Estas Calles, RCTV became by far the number one television station in Venezuela in terms of viewer ratings. This resulted in Venevisión to cancel its contract with Marte TV (Channel 12; now La Tele), and as a result Marte TV nearly entered bankruptcy.[1]

Also in 1992, Kassandra was the first Venezuelan telenovela that arrived in the Japanese market. This production was translated in eighty languages and was placed into the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most sold.[4]

In 1993, for the first time, RCTV combined cartoons with real actors in one of their productions. Created by Mariela Romero, Dulce Ilusión was converted into a modern version of Cinderella.[4]

In 1994 and 1995, with the objective to obtain the best sharpness and resolution of colors, RCTV inaugurated the first studio that utilized video component technology. Also in 1996, RCTV switched from using an analog signal to using a digital signal.[4]

In 1997, RCTV was the first network in Latin America that automated their informative services (from the making of its contents until its airing), in which they adopted the format DVC Pro.[4]

In 1999, RCTV purchased the Digital Betacam, which allowed them to begin using cinematographic techniques in the illumination of outdoor shots.[4]

On November 15, 1999, RCTV had been on the air for a total of 16,000 days.[29]

On December 4, 1999, the testing phase began for Vale TV (Valores Educativos Televisión), a non-profit private enterprise that united the Archbishopric of Caracas and the three leading private television networks in Venezuela, RCTV, Venevisión, and Televen.[1]

[edit] 2000 onwards

RCTV logo 2007
RCTV logo 2007
RCTV Internacional logo 2007 - present
RCTV Internacional logo 2007 - present

On July 18, 2005, the Centro Nacional de Noticias (National Center for News), was inaugurated. From here, RCTV transmitted El Observador (all three daily emissions), La Entrevista, and other special programs of information and opinion. The director of Empresas 1BC, Marcel Granier, and the president of RCTV, Eladio Larez, were present at its inauguration.[4][30][31][32][33]

In 2006, the Autonomous Service of Intellectual Property (SAPI), issued an administrative resolution in which it cancelled the use of the trademark "Radio Caracas Televisión", as a result of RCTV not using this name for at least three consecutive years prior to the date that this resolution was issued, in which they lost the rights to its use.[34]

On December 15, 2006, Tu Tienda RCTV, a gift shop which sells various products containing the logo of RCTV, ¿Quién Quiere Ser Millonario? (the local version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?), and the telenovela Te Tengo en Salsa, opened in the Recordland at the Sambil Mall in Caracas.[35]

[edit] End of broadcast license

The government of Hugo Chávez has accused the network of inciting the 2002 failed coup d'état that briefly overthrew Venezuela's government a serious violation of that nation's broadcast laws. As a result, the Venezuelan government did not renew RCTV's broadcasting license which was up for renewal in May 2007. RCTV has denied any wrongdoing and argues that no trial has been conducted that links the network to the coup attempt.

The same month that RCTV's license expired, also expired the broadcasting licenses to Venevision, VTV (government owned and Chavez supporter station), among other stations, but the only one not renewed was the RCTV license, while the others got a renewal for over 2 years as a minimum.

The week after the closure, RCTV started broadcasting its newscast to Latin America throughout the Colombian network "Caracol" and since then to other countries around the world. On June 7, RCTV started broadcasting its newscast El Observador on Globovisión.[36]

[edit] Background

Further information: 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt
Venezuelans rally in support of RCTV
Venezuelans rally in support of RCTV

On April 9, 2002, the Confederación de Trabajadores de Venezuela—the country's largest trade-union federation—called for a two-day strike in support of the recently fired executives and managers of Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA)—Venezuela's state-owned oil company. Fedecámaras—the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce—joined the strike/lockout and called on its affiliated member businesses to shut 48 hours.

The opposition general strike was covered extensively by the privately-owned news media. During this time, the government used its powers under article 192 of the telecommunications law to requisition all radio and TV stations to broadcast numerous speeches by President Chávez, other government officials, and other programming favorable to the government. To sidestep this requirement, the television channels began to broadcast their own news at the same time as the government addresses by splitting their screens.[37][38][39]

On April 11, 2002, after three days of demonstrations, anti-Chávez and pro-Chávez demonstrators clashed at the Miraflores Palace. The government ordered the suspension of broadcasting by the privately-owned TV channels Televen, Venevisión, Globovisión and RCTV at around 4 p.m., shortly after they refused to carry a speech by President Chávez exclusively and used split screens to broadcast live pictures the opposition demonstration being broken up at the same time as the president’s speech. Only the state-owned Venezolana de Televisión was allowed to continue broadcasting.[37][39][40]

After several shooting deaths, elements of the Armed Forces deposed President Hugo Chávez, whom they held responsible.[41][42] Commander of the Army, Lucas Rincón Romero, reported in a nationwide broadcast that Chávez had resigned his presidency,[41] a charge Chávez would later deny. Chávez was taken to a military base while Fedecámaras president Pedro Carmona was appointed as the transitional President of Venezuela.[41][43]

RCTV reported these actions as a victory for democracy and conducted friendly interviews with leaders of the movement.[citation needed] Footage from the Irish documentary The Revolution Will Not Be Televised appeared to show a coup leader thanking RCTV and Venevisión for their assistance, calling the media "[our] secret weapon".

Subsequently the new government rapidly unraveled, after Carmona issued a decree that established a transitional government, dissolving the National Assembly and the Supreme Court, and suspending several Chávez appointees. While his own coalition wavered, large sectors of the armed forces moved into the Chávez camp, linked up with a mass popular uprising from the barrios, and restored Chávez to office.[citation needed] RCTV declined to report any of these events, preferring to broadcast reruns of Looney Tunes and the film Pretty Woman .[citation needed] According to the Chicago Tribune, RCTV and other broadcasters supported the failed coup "by directing marchers and then failing to inform the public that the coup had failed".[44]

Chávez was restored to power on April 13, 2002. Over the following months, and again in the wake of the 2002 lock-out and general strike, he stepped up his criticism of the country's private media companies, accusing them of having supported the coup. On his weekly television program Aló Presidente and in other forums, he regularly referred to the leading private media owners as "coup plotters", "fascists", and "the four horsemen of the apocalypse".[45] He reminded them that their concessions operated at the pleasure of the state and that if they "went too far", their concessions could be canceled at any time.[46]

Some editorialists have agreed that the network cooperated with the coup attempt April 11, 2002.[47][2] RCTV encouraged pro-coup protests, celebrated when Chávez was temporarily removed from power, and broadcast false reports that Chávez had renounced his presidency.[47] In addition, when Chávez returned to power, RCTV did not report the news but rather broadcast entertainment programs such as the movie Pretty Woman. According to RCTV, their decision not to transmit the images of riots taking place all over Caracas was in order not to entice more deaths and destruction in Venezuela.[47][unreliable source?]

[edit] Shutdown

On December 28, 2006, President Chávez announced that the government would not renew RCTV's broadcast license which came up for renewal on May 27, 2007, thereby forcing the channel to cease broadcast operations on that day.[48] The government says that the non-renewal is caused by RCTV's alleged support for the 2002 coup attempt against Chávez's democratically elected government.

The Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ)—controlled by Chávez allies[49]—ruled on April 17, 2007 that it is within the National Telecommunications Commission's power to decide on the issuing, renewal and revocation of broadcast licenses.[50] RCTV may continue broadcasting over cable or DTH systems (DirecTV Latin America) when its license expires, but the government will take over the equipment, studios and even the master control for their use in the new station it has created on May 27, 2007. On May 24, the Supreme Court ordered RCTV to stop broadcasting as soon as its license expires and approved the government's takeover of its equipment, though it would review the station's appeal of the decision. Chávez announced plans to start broadcasting a public service channel, TVes, using this infrastructure which belonged to RCTV.[51]

The Supreme Court ruled that RCTV's broadcasting equipment must be available to TVes. The ruling also ordered the military to guard the equipment. This allows TVes to be available in the same locations where RCTV used to broadcast.[52]

The final program airing on RCTV Sunday was an all day/night retrospective tribute to the network, featuring current and ex workers, artists and staff of RCTV. Many workers and artists from other networks, including Venevision had to used the last hours of RCTV to give their opinion since they were not allowed at their own companies.

On Saturday, May 26, RCTV shut down its live internet stream in preparation for its forced close-down on Sunday, May 27. At 12 Midnight on May 28 RCTV ceased broadcasting and for the following 8 seconds the signal went dark. It was then replaced by TVes's ID which was on air for 20 minutes. At 12:20AM, TVes began programming for the first time. DirecTV Venezuela has replaced RCTV with TVes on 104.[53]

[edit] RCTV interpretation

RCTV argues that no trial has been conducted that links the network to the coup attempt.[54] Other stations—including Venevisión and Televen— were also accused of supporting the coup attempt, but their licenses have not been denied. Those networks became less critical of Chávez, prompting opponents to say the action against RCTV is evidence that Chávez defines media outlets critical of his government as the enemy, according to the New York Times.[55]

RCTV also argues that the channel's license expires in 2022 rather than 2007. The government states that a 1987 decree during Jaime Lusinchi's presidential term gave RCTV a 20-year license, while the network claims that the failure of the National Telecommunications Commission to issue an administrative authorization by June 12, 2002, automatically granted the channel a 20-year license renewal. The government rejected this interpretation, stating that the converting of licenses into administrative authorizations did not mean a license renewal, just a census of broadcasters.[54]

Chávez says TVes will better reflect his socialist revolution, calling RCTV "a threat to the country".[56]

[edit] National reactions

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Further information: May 2007 RCTV protests

Rallies took place, both in favor and against the government's decision. One rally against the decision took place in Caracas on May 21, 2007 with "thousands of protesters."[57] On May 25, university students from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, the Universidad Simón Bolívar and the Universidad Central de Venezuela protested against the government's intentions.[58][59] On June 2, 2007, tens of thousands of pro-government protesters took to the streets in support of Chavez's decision.[60]

Several opinion polls conducted by companies associated with the Venezuelan opposition showed that the public was strongly against the move. One poll, conducted in April 2007 by the Venezuelan company Datanálisis, found that 13% of the population agreed with the revocation of RCTV's license, while 70% rejected the government's decision.[61] A May poll conducted by a firm called Hinterlaces in 15 Venezuelan states with a 4.7% margin of error reported that 83% of the Venezuelan population reject the discontinuation of RCTV, with 74% saying that democracy is at stake.[62]

[edit] International reactions

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Many individuals, international organizations and NGOs—including the OAS's Secretary General José Miguel Insulza[63] and its Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression,[64] the Inter American Press Association,[65] Human Rights Watch,[66] the Committee to Protect Journalists,[67] and the Human Rights Foundation[68]—have expressed concerns for freedom of the press.[69] US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice criticised the TV closure as "undemocratic" and went on to say "...disagreeing with your government is not unpatriotic and most certainly should not be a crime in any country, especially a democracy."[70] However, Secretary Insulza also stated that it was up to the Venezuelan courts to solve this dispute[71] and that he believed that this was an administrative decision.[72]

The International Press Institute stated that it is "a flagrant attempt to silence the station's critical voice and in violation of everyone's right 'to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,' as outlined in Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights."[73] The Committee to Protect Journalists "concluded [Chávez's] government failed to conduct a fair and transparent review of RCTV's concession renewal. The report, based on a three-month investigation, found the government’s decision was a predetermined and politically motivated effort to silence critical coverage."[74] Reporters Without Borders (RWB) stated "The closure of RCTV [...] is a serious violation of freedom of expression and a major setback to democracy and pluralism. President Chávez has silenced Venezuela’s most popular TV station and the only national station to criticize him, and he has violated all legal norms by seizing RCTV’s broadcast equipment for the new public TV station that is replacing it."[75] But in a right of reply to Le Monde diplomatique, RWB president Robert Ménard then said that the NGO had also condemned RCTV for its support to the 2002 coup attempt.[76]

José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director for Human Rights Watch, called the RCTV case "clearly a case of censorship and the most grave step back in the region since Fujimori,"[77] referring to the manipulation of the media by Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori in the 1990s. "[Chávez] is misusing the state’s regulatory authority to punish a media outlet for its criticism of the government," Vivanco said.[78]

However, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) questioned whether, in the event a television station openly supported and collaborated with coup leaders, the station in question would not be subject to even more serious consequences in the United States or any other Western nation.[79]

The Senate of the United States approved a motion promoted by Senators Richard Lugar and Christopher Dodd condemning the closing,[80] and Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, asserted that it was an attempt to silence the critics of the Government.[81] The U.S. State Department,[82] the European Union,[83] the senates of Chile[83][84] and Brazil,[85] and the legislatures of a number of other Latin American countries have also expressed concern over the incident.

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso qualified the measure as regrettable, adding that "freedom of expression and press freedom are substantial components of democracy.[citation needed] Costa Rican President Óscar Arias Sánchez stated that any media closing was a deathly strike against any democratic system.[86] Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said she regrets the decision and that "freedom of expression is the golden rule."[84] Along with her, Finnish President Tarja Halonen said she was watching the situation with concern.[87] The Spanish Partido Popular, the main opposition party, called the closing an "attack against freedom of expression".[88]

After the Brazilian Senate passed a motion urging Chávez to reconsider the revocation of RCTV's license, Chávez "accused the Brazilian Congress of acting like a 'puppet' of the US", prompting Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to say “Chavez has to take care of Venezuela, I have to take care of Brazil and (US President George W.) Bush has to take care of the US”.[89][90] Later, Lula da Silva said the decision of not renewing the broadcast license was internal Venezuelan business, adding that the legal logic of each country should be respected.[91] Chávez said that presidents Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Evo Morales of Bolivia have phoned to show support to his decision and that Álvaro Uribe from Colombia said that his country would not involve itself in Venezuela's internal affairs.[92] President Rafael Correa of Ecuador said that he would have canceled the broadcast license automatically (after the 2002 coup).[93]

[edit] Additional criticism

In 2006, RCTV was sued for broadcasting advertisements of phone services with images of a "high sexual content" during late night programming. The Supreme Court ordered the station to stop carrying such forms of publicity.[94]

[edit] Return to the airwaves via cable or satellite

RCTV may have lost its free-over the air signal, but it is not out of business. In an article in the July 5, 2007 edition of AM New York, the head of RCTV, Marcel Granier said that he was considering taking the network's programming to cable or satellite. This was accomplished in the Summer of 2007.

DirecTV Latin America and RCTV signed an agreement for the satellite service to transmit RCTV's programming to satellite subscribers in Venezuela and other parts of the world. The network will be broadcasting for DirectTV in the channel 103. Later came the deals with other national cable operators, Inter, formerly known as InterCable, and NetUno, both being the most important and known cable operators in Venezuela. The channel number varies by area of the country and the cable system. Broadcasting officially resumed on July 16 at 6:00am (UTC-4).

Since its return, RCTV has become the most watched channel in Venezuela (despite being on cable).Only 30% of houses have cable in Venezuela but the total amount that view RCTV is higher than all viewers of TVES, Venevision, and all other channels. In Caracas and in Valencia twice as many people view RCTV than Venevision.[95][verification needed]

[edit] Logo, news and broadcasts

Main articles: RCTV logos and El Observador
Further information: List of programs broadcast by RCTV

RCTV has had three different logos throughout their history.

El Observador was RCTV's main newscast. It was broadcast three times a day, except for Sundays, when it only came on during important events such as elections.

Some of RCTV's programs could be seen in other countries on various channels, including TV Venezuela, a premium subscription channel available on DirecTV.

[edit] RCTV on YouTube

In the wake of its closure, RCTV announced plans to continue broadcasting its controversial main news program 'El Observador' on popular internet video host YouTube.[96] YouTube viewership of 'El Observador' was initially significant but within a week of the end of RCTV's television transmission had fallen to less than 5,000 viewers a day.[97] El Observador no longer promotes the YouTube site and instead directs its viewers to watch its broadcasts through a different video hosting service. Viewership numbers are not available.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj Momentos Inolvidables. El Nacional (2002-08-03). Retrieved on 2007-06-26.(Spanish)
  2. ^ a b c Hugo Chavez Versus RCTV. The Los Angeles Times (May 30, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-06-15.
  3. ^ La televisión - Monografias.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w 53 años junto a ti. RCTV (2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-27.(Spanish)
  5. ^ El Observador Online
  6. ^ a b c d Década de los 50. RCTV. Retrieved on 2007-06-28.
  7. ^ La televisión - Monografias.com
  8. ^ Rctv.Net
  9. ^ http://www.rctv.net//Buscador.aspx?clave=2%20de%20Oro%202007&seccion=3
  10. ^ El Observador Online
  11. ^ http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/docs/libro_blanco_RCTV-Web.pdf
  12. ^ El Observador Online
  13. ^ http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/docs/libro_blanco_RCTV-Web.pdf
  14. ^ La televisión - Monografias.com
  15. ^ http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/docs/libro_blanco_RCTV-Web.pdf
  16. ^ RCTV International
  17. ^ http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/docs/libro_blanco_RCTV-Web.pdf
  18. ^ http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/docs/libro_blanco_RCTV-Web.pdf
  19. ^ La televisión - Monografias.com
  20. ^ La televisión - Monografias.com
  21. ^ http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/docs/libro_blanco_RCTV-Web.pdf
  22. ^ http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v107n01/p0181-p0183.pdf
  23. ^ http://www.mre.gov.ve/Noticias/A2007/caso_rctv/PRESENTACIONARGUMENTACIONCASORCTV.pps
  24. ^ Rctv.Net
  25. ^ Rctv.Net
  26. ^ Rctv.Net
  27. ^ PRESENTACION 19
  28. ^ http://www.mre.gov.ve/Noticias/A2007/caso_rctv/PRESENTACIONARGUMENTACIONCASORCTV.pps
  29. ^ La televisión - Monografias.com
  30. ^ http://www.redwoodmediagroup.com/rctvstory.pdf
  31. ^ Rctv.Net
  32. ^ Rctv.Net
  33. ^ Rctv.Net
  34. ^ aporrea.org - RCTV ya no podrá robar mas nombres
  35. ^ Rctv.Net
  36. ^ RCTV inicia emisiones de su noticiero por Globovisión. El Nacional (2007-06-09). Retrieved on 2007-06-09.(Spanish)
  37. ^ a b Venezuela - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002. United States Department of State - Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (2003-03-31). Retrieved on 2007-06-09.
  38. ^ Venezuela - 2002 World Press Freedom Review. International Press Institute. Retrieved on 2007-06-09.
  39. ^ a b Attacks on the Press 2002. Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved on 2007-06-09.
  40. ^ Venezuela - 2003 Annual Report. Reporters Without Borders. Retrieved on 2007-06-09.
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  42. ^ Interim Venezuelan president sworn in. BBC News, 13 April 2002. Retrieved on 2006-08-31.
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  45. ^ Venezuela's war of the airwaves, BBC News, 19 March 2004. Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
  46. ^ "Lo juro por mis hijos... En el memento en que pasen la raya de la ley serán cerrados indefectiblemente." Aló Presidente, Program No. 171 (PDF), November 9, 2003.
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  48. ^ Chavez to shut down opposition TV. BBC (29 December 2006). Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
  49. ^ Romero, Simon. Chávez’s Move Against Critic Highlights Shift in Media. New York Times (May 27, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
    * Venezuela: Chávez Allies Pack Supreme Court. Human Rights Watch (December 14, 2004). Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
    * Storm over Venezuela court reform. BBC News (30 April 2004). Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
    * Kennedy, Alex (May 25, 2007). Chavez Pulls Plug on Venezuelan Television Network (Update4). Bloomberg. Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
    * Corrales, Javier and Michael Penfold (May 6, 2007). Venezuela: Crowding out the opposition. Petroleum World. Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
    * Thorpe, Jacqueline. "Chavez and Silva a study in contrasts: As news for Brazil keeps improving, Venezuela slides", National Post, May 22, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-27. 
  50. ^ Venezuela Court Dismisses RCTV Challenge. Forbes (2007-05-18). Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
  51. ^ Court: Venezuelan TV station must stop broadcasting. Associated Press (2007-05-24). Retrieved on 2007-05-24.
  52. ^ Venezuelan court seizes RCTV's equipment for state. Taipei Times (2007-05-27). Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
  53. ^ Programación : Guía de Canales. DirecTV. Retrieved on 2007-06-09. (Spanish)
  54. ^ a b Artega, Katrina (2007-05-23). Legal specifics. El Universal. Retrieved on 2007-05-26.
  55. ^ Romero, Simon. "Chávez Looks at His Critics in the Media and Sees the Enemy", New York Times, June 1, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-06-01.  Also available from International Herald Tribune.
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  57. ^ Toothhaker, Chiristopher (2007-05-21). Protesters Decry Loss of Venezuela TV. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-05-26.
  58. ^ Estudiantes de la UCAB y la USB protestan en apoyo a RCTV (Spanish). El Universal (2007-05-25). Retrieved on 2007-05-26.
  59. ^ Ucevistas protestaron en la autopista Francisco Fajardo cierre de RCTV (Spanish). El Universal (2007-05-25). Retrieved on 2007-05-26.
  60. ^ RCTV: el turno del gobierno (English). BBC (2007-06-02). Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
  61. ^ Chirinos, Carlos (2007-04-27). Encuesta: mayoría contra cierre RCTV (Spanish). BBC Mundo. Retrieved on 2007-05-26.
  62. ^ "Eighty-three percent of Venezuelans reject discontinuation of RCTV", El Universal (Venezuela), June 1, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-06-01. 
  63. ^ Organization of American States (January 5, 2007). "Secretary General expresses concern over decision not to renew broadcasting license of Venezuelan television station". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
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  65. ^ Inter American Press Association (December 29, 2006). "IAPA assails Venezuela's Chávez over non-renewal of TV station license". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
  66. ^ Venezuela: TV Shutdown Harms Free Expression. Human Rights Watch (May 22, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
  67. ^ Committee to Protect Journalists (January 12, 2007). "‘Lack of transparency’ in Venezuelan broadcast case". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.
  68. ^ Human Rights Foundation (May 7, 2007). "Human Rights Foundation Condemns Venezuelan Government Shutdown of TV Station; Launches Website and Brings Case to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
  69. ^ International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) (24 April 2007). "Non-renewal of RCTV license a threat to media pluralism, will cost 2,000 their jobs, says IFJ". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
  70. ^ US condemns Venezuelan TV closure, BBC News, 5 June 2007. Retrieved on 2007-06-09.
  71. ^ Insulza: RCTV case will be solved by Venezuelan courts. El Universal (2007-05-18). Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
  72. ^ Insulza hopes Venezuela "to continue to be democratic". El Universal (2007-06-11). Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
  73. ^ International Press Institute (2007-05-29). "IPI condemns shutdown of RCTV television station in Venezuela". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-05-20.
  74. ^ Simon, Joel, Executive Director (2007-05-24). VENEZUELA: CPJ urges Chávez to allow RCTV to stay on the air. Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved on 2007-06-09.
  75. ^ International community urged to rally to defense of Venezuela’s media after RCTV’s closure Reporters Without Borders, May 28, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-29..
  76. ^ Daniel Junqua, Reporters sans frontières, Le Monde diplomatique, August 2007 (French)
  77. ^ Pulling the Plug on Anti-Chavez TV. Washington Post, January 18, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
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  79. ^ Coup Co-Conspirators as Free-Speech Martyrs.
  80. ^ US Senate in full passes resolution against non-renewal of RCTV license, El Universal, 25 May 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-30
  81. ^ U.S. Embassy Caracas (May 31, 2007). "Pelosi Statement on Suppression of Media in Venezuela". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
  82. ^ Daily Press Briefing, U.S. State Dept., 29 May 2007. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
  83. ^ a b Chavez Threatens Last Opposition Network. CBS News, 30 May 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-30
  84. ^ a b Michelle Bachelet champions freedom of expression. El Universal, May 29, 2007. Retrieved on 30 May 2007.
  85. ^ Lages, Christine (May 31, 2007). Senado brasileiro envia apelo ao governo venezuelano. O Globo. Retrieved on 2007-06-05. (Portuguese)
  86. ^ President of Costa Rica (May 29, 2007). "Mandatario lamenta cierre de RCTV". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. (Spanish)
  87. ^ Chile defends freedom of expression in Venezuela TV row. Caribbean Net News (May 30, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
  88. ^ El PP español habla sobre el cierre de RCTV. Noticias24 (May 30, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-05. (Spanish)
  89. ^ Lula calls for ethanol investment. BBC News (June 4, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-04.
  90. ^ Chávez que cuide da Venezuela. Correio da manhã (2007-06-03). Retrieved on 2007-06-06.(Portuguese)
  91. ^ Lula: Chávez no es un peligro. BBC (2007-06-04). Retrieved on 2007-06-04.(Spanish)
  92. ^ Chávez defiende el cese de emisiones de RCTV y dice que no aceptará injerencias. El Día (2007-06-04). Retrieved on 2007-06-17. (Spanish)
  93. ^ Correa dispuesto a cancelar licencias. El Universal (2007-06-11). Retrieved on 2007-06-17. (Spanish)
  94. ^ Prohibida publicidad de imágenes con alto contenido sexual en canal de televisión privada. Supreme Tribunal of Justice (2006-05-11). Retrieved on 2007-05-31.(Spanish)
  95. ^ RCTV en primer lugar de sintonía en su regreso a través del cable. laverdad.com (2007-07-21). Retrieved on 2007-07-21.(Spanish)
  96. ^ RCTV continúa sus emisiones a través de YouTube. 20minutes.es (2007-03-07). Retrieved on 2007-07-03.(Spanish)
  97. ^ Confirmado científicamente por Youtube: ¡RCTV ha caído en el olvido!. aporrea.org (2007-07-03). Retrieved on 2007-07-03.(Spanish)

[edit] External links

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