Telenorte is a Chilean Television brand, launched as a TV network in 1966, closed in 2001 and relaunched through streaming since the 2010s. The network had stations in Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta and La Serena.
History
Creation, suspension and re-launch (1966-1978) Telenorte emerged in April 1982, when the Radio and Television Network of then University of the North was privatised, although its original name was Educational Network of the University of the North (Red Educativa de la Universidad del Norte), with a single frequency (Channel 3 in Antofagasta) which started in definitive form on 14 February 1973, although experimental transmissions began on November 11, 1966. The premiere broadcast was attended by the then rector of the University of the North, Carlos Aldunate, writers Andrés Sabella, Marta Blanco and María Elena Gertner, and sports commentator Julio Martínez, the latter through a program recorded on Santiago's Canal 13. On March 18, 1967, after its experimental tests, at 20:55, Channel 3 began regular broadcasts with an act that was attended by the Minister of Economy of the Eduardo Frei Montalva administration, Domingo Santa María Santa Cruz. These broadcasts were suspended in April 1969, due to an agreement with the emerging Televisión Nacional de Chile that would arrive in the city in July of that year, which translated all of Canal 3's equipment and personnel to Televisión Nacional. The transmissions were resumed on February 14, 1973, as part of the celebrations of the anniversary of the Chilean landing on Antofagasta (part of the War of the Pacific).
In the city of Iquique, broadcasts began on May 21, 1976 and in the city of Arica on June 6 of that same year. The regional network was established in May 1977 and its first milestone was to join the transmission of the first Telethon, which aired in full color. It's thought that Iquique's Channel 12 conducted experimental transmissions in color between 1976 and 1977, which were captured by some of the few receivers in color and had a different standard which Chile later adopted. On 14 April 1978, Channel 3 of Antofagasta and Channel 8 of Calama and Chuquicamata began broadcasting their first 4 programs in color: Nocaut (boxing), Toqui (education), El Fantástico Mundo del Deporte and Show Musical.
Partnership with Canal 13 (1978-1989) In 1978, the Red de Televisión de la Universidad del Norte (or TVUN, as it was abbreviated back then) became an affiliate of Canal 13 from the Catholic University of Chile. With this partnership, programs produced in Santiago would be broadcast in TVUN. Most programs were tape-delayed, being broadcast in Antofagasta one week after airing in Santiago. However, this was compensated with Canal 13 of Santiago broadcasting live, via microwave, the highest rated programs like Sábado gigante, Martes 13 or sports broadcasts like the World Cup and the Olympic Games, which were previously only tape-delayed. In April 1982, TVUN was renamed to Telenorte (name previously adopted for its newscast).
Telenorte quickly became the alternative source of information and entertainment, with emphasis on regional issues, since it offered programs and local newscasts. Even with the acquisition in the mid-eighties of a truck with a microwave transmission system, they could make local outside broadcasts, such as artistic events and football matches.
The last broadcasting agreement between Telenorte and Santiago's Canal 13 was for the 1988 plebiscite, since the following year the affiliation contract with the Santiago network ended because the latter had contemplated reaching northern cities with its own satellite signal, which was completed in 1989. For example, in Antofagasta, the arrival of Canal 13 took place on July 8, 1989. Despite this, the last program broadcast by both networks was the debate for the 1989 general elections (only in Arica, as Iquique and Antofagasta both had Canal 13 repeaters back then).
Work with other channels (1989-1995) Alternatively, Telenorte signed a contract with Channel 11 of the then Television Corporation of the University of Chile (today Chilevisión), also from Santiago, which expired soon. In March 1990, with the signing of the new statutes of the Catholic University of North (Universidad Católica del Norte, UCN), Telenorte became a corporation and its first president was Iván Simunovic.