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TVes
TVes is a Venezuelan public television channel. Its name is short for Televisora Venezolana Social (Venezuelan Social Television) and is pronounced ("te ves"), meaning you see yourself. It replaced the signal of Radio Caracas Television on Channel 2 on Monday, May 28 2007, and began broadcasting at 12:20 am local time . The Venezuelan government had refused to renew RCTV's broadcasting license and instead determined to create a new channel from part of RCTV's infrastructure. The new channel, in contrast with RCTV, is state-owned. According to the government, TVes aims to portray the identity of Venezuelans, hence the pronunciation of the station's name meaning you see yourself.
History
TVes took over RCTV's frequency, and was granted court authority to temporary commandear use of RCTV's privately-owned transmitting equipment, after the government of President Hugo Chavez declined to renew RCTV's broadcast license, some view this as a seizure. RCTV had been the most vocal critic of the Chavez government among over-the-air TV networks. Following the end of the air signal of RCTV, protests occurred. The government said RCTV had broadcast "incitement" and "subversive propaganda," as well as "subliminal messages of political content" aimed at children. In contrast, critics said the shutdown of RCTV was an attempt to silence opposition. This is refuted by others who consider this to be unlikely, as many TV stations in Venezuela remain privately-owned and critical of Chavez.
According to a rule by the Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice, all RCTV broadcast equipment will be temporarily controlled by TVes.
First broadcast
RCTV ended its final day of broadcasting with a rendition of the national anthem performed by network employees and on-air talent, followed by a shot of a pro-RCTV protest. The screen then faded to black. A few seconds later, a series of TVes idents appeared on Channel 2. At 12:20 a.m. local time on May 28 2007, TVes began its programming with a prerecorded version of the national anthem, performed by a large choir clad in Venezuelan colours and full sized orchestra led by the famous young Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. After some network promos, TVes switched to an auditorium, where station president Lil Rodriguez gave a speech to a crowd of Chavez supporters.
Management
The station is managed by the Venezuelan Social Television Foundation (Fundacion Televisora Venezolana Social), a foundation established under Presidential Decree 5394, published in the Gaceta Official government gazette on 11 May 2007. The Foundation has its own funds and separate legal identity (personalidad juridica y patrimonio propio) and is attached to the Ministry of Communications and Information. Its initial funding came entirely from the Ministry, but in future years will receive an allocation from the federal budget, together with such other donations and earnings it receives. The Foundation is based in Caracas but may conduct business throughout the republic and abroad.
Presidencia crea Fundacion Televisora Venezolana Social, Las Noticias de Cojedes, 14 May 2007.
The members of the Foundation's board were sworn in by Vice President Jorge Rodriguez on 21 May 2007. The board members are Tarik Souki Farias, Roberto Hernandez Montoya, Asalia Venegas, Rafaela Cusati, Maria Alejandra Diaz Marin, Nelin Escalante, Amilio Ezequiel Gonzalez, Jorge Morales and Manuel Fernando, with journalist and broadcaster Lil Rodriguez serving as its president.
Programming
TVes has planned a schedule with many different types of programming, including news, sports, movies, music, drama and children's shows. The network says it will reflect Venezuela's social diversity and provide a forum for independent producers. TVes will also air content from the National Geographic Channel on weekday mornings.
TVes director Asalia Venegas said the new network should bring Venezuelan television closer to a European model, in which the state takes an active role in education and cultural promotion, as opposed to the commercial television of U.S. capitalism.
In its first month of operation, the channel has shown a wide range of programmes from countries all around the world, including French cartoons, Brazilian puppet shows, Argentinian soaps and Soviet films . In June 2007, TVes held its first major event as the official network of the Copa America football tournament, which is being held in the country.
Even though the station operates on a 24-hour schedule, the TVes plays the national anthem three times a day
While ratings figure are not yet available, The Economist has claimed that TVes has failed to catch on with Venezuelans, with the station struggling to reach 10% of RCTV's viewers.
External links
Televisora Venezolana Social (Venezuelan Social Broadcasting)
YouTube video of a protest against the closure of RCTV
Rally in support of the RCTV closure and the opening of TVes.
First 24 minutes of TVes broadcast
Information on TVes from the Venezuelan Communications Ministry
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article TVes
