History
Teleamazonas was created from the sale of frequencies that belonged to HCJB-TV, owned by the HCJB radio ministry, in April 1972, to Antonio Granda Centeno. [1] : 124 The color equipment used arrived in February 1973, becoming the first network to broadcast in color when launched. [2] Experimental color broadcasts started in November 5, 1973 [3] under the new owner [4] and began regular broadcasts on February 22, 1974, as the first network with color television transmissions in Ecuador, positioning itself as the fourth country in Latin America, behind Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, to introduce the technology. [4] Its headquarters and main studios are located in Quito. Teleamazonas got the most powerful microwave radio relay, acquired the first mobile television unit, and built in Guayaquil the biggest self-supported antenna. From the start, it was the first ever color TV station in Spanish-speaking Latin America, a move that would inspire its neighboring countries to make the switch to color TV. Its signals were also received in border areas of Peru. [3]
In addition, the network made history as Ecuador's first true national network - while the Quito station had been opened during its first weeks, plans were underway to build a number of transmitter towers to relay programming to the provinces as well as to Guayaquil in the south as well as dedicated studios for regional news bureaus. In 1978, the station was shut down for a week during the government of Guillermo Rodríguez Lara, following controversial comments in its newscast, 24 Horas. [4] Diego Oquendo was its director, having arrived due to the network's connections with the El Tiempo newspaper (which Antonio Granda Centeno also owned), becoming a national figure. [5] Since the beginning, Teleamazonas was the most technologically-advanced network in Ecuador. [2] The first mobile unit was installed in 1981, enabling the station to broadcast soccer matches and bullfighting events. In 1984, the network created Ecuador's first television miniseries, El teniente Parodi. [4]
On November 6, 1988, during a soccer match, it was announced that Teleamazonas' founder, Granda Centeno, died in the United States. All programming was suspended for three days and his shares and assets were put in hands of his sons and heirs. [2]
In September 1998, it received support from Itelco, sponsored by state company Petroproducción, where ten transmitters were connected by means of thirteen microwave hops, in the country's southwestern region, including the border with Peru. [6]
Founded by Antonio Granda Centeno, the channel was under control of his family until 2001, when Eduardo Granda Garcés paid a high debt to Banco del Pichincha. Fidel Egas Grijalva, major shareholder of the bank, took charge of Teleamazonas. The managing position was taken over by Sebastián Corral in 2002. [2]
On November 19, 2003, it gained an output deal with Buena Vista International Television, to gain access to its catalog of series and movies. The contract encompassed its animated series (House of Mouse, 101 Dalmatians, Timon & Pumba, The Legend of Tarzan), those acquired from Saban from Disney's takeover of Fox Family Worldwide (Spiderman, Hulk, Power Rangers), live-action series (8 Simple Rules, Boy Meets World, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids) and movies from its ensemble of labels (102 Dalmatians, Chocolat, Unbreakable, The Wedding Planner, Spy Kids, Remember the Titans, The Kid, Cider House Rules). [7] Between 2002 and 2005, Teleamazonas had invested US$8 million in technology, and was set to buy its own equipment for the unified La Tri network for the 2006 FIFA World Cup (with Ecuavisa and RTS). The network was set to invest US$1.2 million in equipment in 2006 alone, including the combined World Cup network. [8]
During the presidency of Rafael Correa, the network, particularly its flagship opinion maker and pundit Jorge Ortiz, has found itself at odds with the government, which accuses it of manipulating public opinion to suite the interests of the companies and shareholders who provide the capital for Teleamazonas such as the Banco del Pichincha. Several proceedings have taken place against Teleamazonas, culminating on December 22, 2009, when the network was ordered a 72-hour shutdown. [9] At closing time (5:08pm), the channel was airing an episode of Malcolm in the Middle, while the staff in Quito was facing an uncertain situation. Manager Sebastián Corral called the measure "illegal". During the 72-hour period, programming continued on Teleamazonas Internacional and the channel's website. [10] Upon returning to the air, the network aired a message aimed at its viewers. [11] This government move immediately prompted a backlash from advocacy groups who claimed to be acting in the interests of freedom of expression. In his presidency, new television channel unions were created, where it and Ecuavisa were notable absentees. [12]
In September 2010, Fidel Egas, banned from owning media outlets in Ecuador, sold his shares on Teleamazonas to several groups: 30% to the Peruvian media group La República, 48% to a group of Teleamazonas employees and 22% to a group of Fidel Egas' personal friends. [13] [14] Teleamazonas' sale was the result of the mandate of the Ecuadorian Constitution of 2008, which provides that no person may simultaneously hold shares in banks and media. Egas appealed his decision on May 19, 2016, [13] having questioned the decision when the president talked about the issue two days prior. [15] Later that year, the president attacked the network again, claiming it to be part of "one of the country's largest and most closed monopolies". [16]
The station announced a relocation of its headquarters to a new location in September 2021, in northern Quito. [17] The new bulding was first conceived in August 2019. [18]
The network and Xtrim started sharing rights to the local football league in 2024. [19]
Programming
In its earlier decades, Teleamazonas has produced important national series and films like "Sucre", "En un rincón del alma", "Recuerdos en Paita", "El Gran Retorno", "J. J., El Ruiseñor de América", among others. The channel also airs dramas (including K-dramas), films as well as anime shows like Doraemon. (both modern and classic versions), and Yo soy Betty, la fea , one of Colombia's most popular romantic telenovelas.
From 1973 to 1993, it carried Telejardín, one of the more remembered national kids' shows. [20]
An agreement to carry several Nickelodeon series was signed in 2017. [21]
In 2019, Teleamazonas joined forces with Endemol Shine Group to create the first ever Ecuadorian version of MasterChef. [22]
In March 2022, it gained the rights to air the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The network aired 32 matches live (including all matches with Ecuador's national team) and 32 matches delayed. [23]
In September 2024, it gained the rights to Chespirito's comedies, coinciding with the negotiations to re-enable broadcasting of the series on linear TV and streaming platforms. [24] That year, it also premiered an Ecuadorian version of Ahora caigo, using studios provided by Canal 4 in Montevideo. [25]
