The Worst Blow to Freedom in Venezuela

Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. Radio Caracas Television Type Defunct broadcast television network with future potential for cable television and satellite television Branding RCTV First air date November 15, 1953 Country Venezuela Availability National Founded November 15, 1953 Founder William H. Phelps Slogan "Tenemos con que" (We have what it takes) and "Un amigo es para siempre" (A friend is forever) Broadcast area National Owner Radio Caracas Television RCTV, C.A. / Empresas 1BC Key people Eladio Larez, RCTV President

Marcel Granier, Empresas 1BC Director Launch date November 15, 1953 Analog channel 2, 3, 7, 10 Website RCTV

Radio Caracas Television (RCTV) is a Venezuelan television network headquartered in Caracas. It is sometimes referred to as the Canal de Bárcenas. Owned by Empresas 1BC, RCTV was founded on November 15, 1953 by William H. Phelps. Its radio counterpart is Radio Caracas Radio. RCTV is highly critical of Chavez and his government and is accused of openly supporting the failed 2002 coup d'état that briefly overthrew Venezuela's democratically elected government.[1].

On May 27, 2007, the Venezuelan government declined to renew RCTV's broadcast license in order to allow its state-sponsored station TVes to operate in RCTV's channel. RCTV had Venezuela's largest viewing audience, with 10 million of Venezuela's 26 million people viewing its shows and telenovelas.[2] RCTV apparently still has the option to operate on satellite and cable, services that reach a small audience in Venezuela. Currently, they have not chosen to broadcast on paid services. Without its public broadcast frequency, RCTV will lose most of its audience.[3]

The Venezuelan government seized RCTV's broadcast equipment, based on a ruling issued by the Supreme Court of Justice (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia or TSJ), a court controlled by Chavez. This seizure allowed the broadcasting of Chavez's Tves throughout Venezuela.