TN8

For the postcode, see TN postcode area.
TN8
CountryNicaragua
Programming
LanguageSpanish
Picture format480i SDTV
Ownership
OwnerTelevisora Nicaraguense S.A. (Juan Carlos Ortega Murillo)
History
Launched15 July 1956 (first version)
9 December 1992 (second version)
Links
Websitehttp://www.tn8.tv/
Availability
Terrestrial
Analog VHFChannel 8

Telenica (branded as TN8) is a Nicaraguan terrestrial television channel. The station began as Canal 8, the first television station to broadcast in Nicaragua, which began operations on 15 July 1956. The original station operated under the ownership of President Anastasio Somoza García before merging with Canal 6 in 1962 under Televisión de Nicaragua, S.A.

The Channel 8 license was reactivated in 1992 by journalist Carlos Briceño, who founded Telenica and relaunched the station as a privately operated broadcaster. In 2010, the station was acquired by Juan Carlos Ortega Murillo, son of Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega.[1]TN8 currently broadcasts a mix of news programs, entertainment programming, and imported television series.

History

Early history (1956-1962)

Canal 8 was the first television station to operate in Nicaragua, beginning broadcasts on 15 July 1956. The station was owned by President Anastasio Somoza García. It was broadcast from the building of the now-defunct Novedades newspaper, which was also owned by Somoza García.[2]

Equipment was imported, and was operated by technicians and engineers from Radio Managua and the United States. The station's manager was journalist Luis Hidalgo. It broadcast live shows and movies from 6:30 pm to 9 pm, before showing folkloric programming and baseball games.[2] Growth was limited due to the low availability of television sets among the Nicaraguan population.[3]

In 1962, Canal 8 and Canal 6 merged under the name Televisión de Nicaragua, S.A. (Telenica), and began to broadcast with equipment from Canal 6.[4] The station operated under the call sign YNSA-TV.[5] It is unknown when the channel ceased operations under government control.[3]

Private channel under Carlos Briceño (1992-2009)

In the early 1990s, the state television monopoly previously held by the dissolved Sistema Sandinista de Televisión, which had been divided between Canal 2 and Canal 8, came to an end. The license to operate Canal 8 was reactivated and given to Telenica, founded by journalist Carlos Briceño. Briceño was a former Univisión correspondent in Miami and later worked at Sistema Nacional de Televisión (Canal 6). Telenica was established on 3 February 1992, and Telenica Canal 8 (TN8) began operations on 9 December 1992,[6] though some sources claim that broadcasting began in July of that year.[7]

Initially, the station aimed to provide an alternative to the existing channels. However, the channel operated with limited human resources, prompting it to rely heavily on imported programming when financial resources permitted. Equipment was obtained from bank loans and donations from international aid agencies. In the mid-1990s, TN8 reportedly considered a conversion to an all-news channel.[8]

In early 1994, TN8 broadcast between 3:30 pm and 11 pm. At this time, approximately 15% of programming was news and 10% focused on current affairs. At launch, these categories occupied 53% of the schedule. In 1994, 75% of the programming was international in origin. Like Canal 4, TN8 was unaffiliated to ATELCAP and obtained foreign programming via satellite, without licensing rights from the producers. TN8 also avoided broadcasting telenovelas and TV series. The channel's reach was limited to urban areas in and around Managua.[9]

In 2004, it was reported that TN8 had the highest ratings among local television channels, and its newscast Noticiero Independiente had surpassed Canal 2's TVNoticias.[10] In early 2005, Noticiero Independiente surpassed the ratings of Sábado Gigante and the telenovelas broadcast on Canal 2.[11] In December 2006, the channel was added to the JumpTV website, alongside Radio 8 and two other independent channels—100% Noticias and ESTV.[12]

Under Briceño's leadership, its programming was meant for a family audience, concentrating on news, informational programs, sports and commentary, specials, series, and musical shows. In its later years under his administration, TN8 produced an average of 5.5 hours of live news programming per day, or around 121 hours a month. Overall national production averaged 13.5 hours daily, or 297 hours a month. In contrast to other channels focusing on telenovelas and movies, TN8 specialized in news and current affairs programming.[13]

Acquisition by Juan Carlos Ortega Murillo (2010-present)

In late 2009, TN8 was acquired by Juan Carlos Ortega Murillo, son of president Daniel Ortega. The sale was publicly announced in January 2010.[14] It was purchased for a sum of US$9.7 million, relying on funding from Albanisa, a company with mixed shares from Venezuelan and Nicaraguan state-run petrol companies.[15]

Human rights organizations criticized the sale of Telenica, as the presidential family was not transparent about the details of the sale.[16] Negotiations with Albanisa had been underway for several months and were one of several possible options considered for the sale of the channel, including arrangements related to debts the station had accumulated since 2000.[17] On 14 January 2010, Briceño confirmed that the channel would come under administration of Juan Carlos Ortega administration effective 25 January.[18]

The new administration initiated a rebranding process during its first week in control of the channel. One of TN8's main programs under Briceño, Esta Semana, was replaced by Sin Fronteras, hosted by the pro-government presenter William Grigsby. The program included international news reports from Telesur and excerpts of speeches by Daniel Ortega during commercial breaks. Media outlets and commentators expressed concern about the future direction of the channel, including speculation about a possible rebranding as ALBA-TV, and questions regarding reports that a majority stake was linked to Venezuelan financing.[19] Sin Fronteras was cancelled on 11 February 2010, as the new ownership began changing TN8's format from a predominantly news-focused service to an entertainment channel with telenovelas and movies.[20]

On 6 September 2010, the newscasts that existed under the Briceño administration—Noticiero 24 Horas and Noticiero Independiente— were replaced by a new program, Crónica TN8, after changes were made to align its content with the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN). On 18 September, Lado Oscuro moved to TN8 from CDNN 23.[21]

Following the programming changes, the channel increased its purchase of imported television series and movies, primarily from the United States and Japan. It made deals with international production companies such as Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Viacom, Toei Animation, and other independent production companies. This included a volume agreement with Viacom to provide content for a children's programming slot, Hora Nick. In 2015, TN8 Director of Programming Álvaro Rocha stated that the channel's programming was 20% original and 80% foreign.[22]

According to a 2020 investigation by Reuters, TN8 was owned by Yadira Leets Marín, the wife of Rafael Ortega Murillo, a son of Daniel Ortega and owner of state-run radio station La Nueva Radio Ya. The report states that it is unknown whether Leets was involved in the 2010 purchase of the channel.[23]

A spin-off of Crónica TN8, titled Crónica TN8 Internacionales, premiered on 29 September 2021 at 5:00 pm, replacing the sitcoms previously broadcast in that time slot. This change created an extended block of news programs, as Crónica TN8 Internacionales precedes 8 Deportivo and the main edition of Crónica TN8.[24] Longtime TN8 presenter Karleydi Zelendón left the channel in 2023 and joined the editorial team of Canal 4.[25]

Programming

Examples of programming on TN8 include:

  • Crónica TN8 (news)
  • Crónica TN8 Internacionales (world news)
  • Estudio TN8 (analysis)
  • 8 Deportivo (sports news)
  • Rebeldes (weekend afternoon program for the youth)
  • El Lobby (video games and related topics)
  • Hora Nick (kids)
  • Hogar y Estilo[26]
  • International feature films
  • E-sports tournaments

La Rock 22

Juan Carlos Ortega launched UHF Channel 22 on 23 December 2015. The station was assigned to Difuso Comunicaciones, another company under his control.[27] On 17 July 2020, the channel was sanctioned by the United States Department of Treasury. Following sanctions, advertising on the channel stopped.[28]

At the time the sanctions were imposed, much of the channel's programming consisted of US imports. Ortega subsequently renamed the station Rock FM — after the radio station of the same name— and switched its programming to predominantly rock music videos, reportedly to evade the sanctions.[29]

On 29 July 2020, the channel was taken off the air.[30] At an unspecified later date, it resumed broadcasting under its current name, La Rock 22. The station, alongside TN8, has promoted events like Rock City (2021) with support from the government platform Nicaragua Emprende.[31]

Controversies

Zeta Gas affair

In July 1998, Mexican oil company Zeta Gas filed a lawsuit against the channel after it aired a 60 Minutes report concerning alleged ties between Zeta Gas and drug traffickers.[32]

Under the Juan Carlos administration

In September 2020, Juan Carlos Ortega Murillo commented on Twitter about negotiations that had taken place in 2011 to acquire the anime franchises Dragon Ball and Saint Seiya for the channel. According to Ortega, Toei Animation offered TN8 first-run prices, but he alleged that Canal 12 had previously broadcast the series without paying for their rights.[33]

References

  1. ^ Sale of Private Broadcaster Sparks Concerns In Nicaragua - http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2010/january/22/centam-10012204.htm
  2. ^ a b "Primeros". La Prensa. 11 September 2006. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Cinco décadas después... (Five decades later...)". La Prensa. 1 August 2001. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Historia de la radiodifusión en Nicaragua (History of broadcasting in Nicaragua)". Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Television Factbook" (PDF). 1963. p. 847. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Pulso del periodismo". Google Books. 1992. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Yu-Gi-Oh! Arrives in Nicaragua: New Broadcast Partnership with Telenica Canal 8". Anime News Network. 8 December 2016. Archived from the original on 8 December 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Análisis del abordaje periodístico de las notas informativas sobre abuso sexual en menores de edad, publicadas en el portal digital del noticiero Crónica TN8, durante el mes Julio del año 2017. (Analysis of the press viewpoint of reports about sexual abuse in minors, published in Crónica TN8's digital portal, during July 2017.)" (PDF). National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Managua. 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  9. ^ Massenmedien in Lateinamerika, 3: Bolivien, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
  10. ^ Diario, El Nuevo (25 August 2004). "Telenica 8 en la cima (Telenica 8 at the top)". El Nuevo Diario. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Noticiero Independiente - Telenica 8". TN8. 29 October 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2005. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  12. ^ "JumpTV Signs Exclusive Partnerships With 100% Noticias, ESTV Canal 11, Telenica Canal 8 and Radio 8; Internet Television Broadcaster to Offer Three of Nicaragua's Top Television Channels and Leading Radio Station on JumpTV.com". CCNMatthews Newswire. 2006.
  13. ^ "TN8.com.ni - Telenica Canal 8". TN8. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 30 January 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  14. ^ "Los canales de la familia Ortega-Murillo (The channels of the Ortega-Murillo family)". La Prensa. 29 October 2017. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Albanisa: el nuevo emporio (Albanisa: the new emporium)". Confidencial. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  16. ^ Diario, El Nuevo (19 January 2010). "Canal 8 repite triste película del pasado". La Prensa. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  17. ^ Diario, El Nuevo (11 December 2009). "Canal 8 se está negociando". La Prensa. Archived from the original on 3 October 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  18. ^ Diario, El Nuevo (11 December 2009). "Canal 8 vendido". El Nuevo Diario. Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  19. ^ Diario, El Nuevo (28 January 2010). "Canal 8, venezolano". El Nuevo Diario. Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  20. ^ Diario, El Nuevo (15 February 2010). ""Sin Fronteras TV" salió del aire como apareció". El Nuevo Diario. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  21. ^ "TV, Radio y..." La Prensa (in Spanish). September 18, 2010. Archived from the original on December 24, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  22. ^ "TN8 Nicaragua: 'Hollywood e independientes como diferencial' (Hollywood and independents as differential)". Prensario Internacional. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Ortega media enrich his family, entrench his hold on Nicaragua". Reuters. 23 November 2020. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  24. ^ "Nuevo espacio de noticias con Crónica TN8 – Internacionales". TN8. 29 September 2021. Archived from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  25. ^ "El regreso de Karleydi Zeledón a la tv: Ahora llenará de luz a Multinoticias". TN8. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  26. ^ "TN8 trae las mejores soluciones en casa con el nuevo programa "Hogar y Estilo"". TN8. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Otro canal TV para la familia Ortega (Another TV channel for the Ortega family)". Confidencial. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  28. ^ "Sanciones a empresa Difuso también aniquilan al Canal 22, propiedad de Juan Carlos Ortega (Sanctions to Difuso also annihilate Channel 22, owned by Juan Carlos Ortega)". Artículo 66. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  29. ^ "Juan Carlos Ortega camufla el Canal 22 con la marca Rock FM, para evadir sanciones de Estados Unidos (Juan Carlos Ortega disguises Channel 22 with the Rock FM brand, to evade sanctions from the United States)". Artículo 66. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Suspenden canal de Difuso de Juan Carlos Ortega (Juan Carlos Ortega's Difuso channel suspended)". Nicaragua Investiga. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  31. ^ "Rock City listo para viajar al Diamante de las Segovias, Estelí (Rock City ready to travel to the Diamond of the Segovias, Estelí)". Artículo 66. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  32. ^ Rockwell, Rick; Janus, Noreene (2010). Media Power in Central America. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252092282. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  33. ^ "Juan Carlos Ortega acusa a los propietarios de Canal 12". Nicaragua Investiga. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.