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Television

Television is the communication medium of choice in urban Nicaragua, leading all other media formats in general use and as a source for news and information. Nicaraguans are offered a wide range of national and local television channels. Forty five percent of urban households have a cable connection, providing them a range of international channels.

Chart 1

According to the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications (TELCOR), there are nine local TV stations within Managua: channels 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 63 and 99. Channel 6 is the only state-run TV station. Nicaragua’s media environment is politically polarized and the television industry is no exception. In the past year, the current administration led by President Daniel Ortega has pressured multiple TV stations to censor opposition-minded commentators, threatening not to renew their broadcast licenses if they don't.

Chart 2

The relative popularity of the top television channels does not vary significantly between demographic groups. Channels 2 and 10 dominate daily and weekly viewership as well as reliability rates among all demographic groups. Channel 10 is a private national channel owned by Radio y Television de Nicaragua S.A (RATENSA), a company founded by Mexican investors. The channel offers a variety of programming, from newscasts to soap operas. However it is best known for its entertainment programming.

Chart 3

Television has also been used as a medium for engaging and informing the public about social issues that are often considered taboo. For example, the television drama Sexto Sentido (Sixth Sense) produced by the non-profit organization Puntos de Encuentro is a long running internationally awarded youth “social soap” program tackling taboo topics such as youth sexual activity and reproductive health. By personalizing these issues, the program is seeking to reflect the problems and challenges that young Nicaraguans face. With the success of Sexto Sentido Puntos de Encuentro is currently developing a new TV drama series, Tres Familias, that will address the positive and negative economic, political and social effects of globalization through the eyes of three families living in Granada, Nicaragua. [1]

[1] ”Programs.” Puntos de Encuentro. Managua, Nicaragua. Accessed December 2009. http://www.puntos.org.ni/english/programs.php