Caracol Televisión facts for kids
Logo used since 2025
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| Type | Free-to-air television network |
|---|---|
| Country | Colombia |
| Broadcast area | Colombia |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Spanish |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Caracol Televisión S.A. (Valorem) |
| Key people |
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| Sister channels |
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| History | |
| Founded | August 28, 1969 (as a television production company) |
| Launched | July 10, 1998 (as a television network) |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Analog VHF/UHF | Listings may vary |
| Digital UHF | Channel 14.1 (HD) Channel 14.2 (HD2) Channel 14.3 (SD) |
Caracol Televisión, often called Caracol, is a major TV channel in Colombia. It's a free-to-air network, meaning you don't need to pay to watch it. Caracol is owned by Caracol Medios, which is part of a bigger company called Grupo Valorem.
It's one of the top private TV channels in Colombia. Other big channels include Canal RCN and Canal 1. Caracol Televisión creates and shares over 5,000 TV shows. These shows have been seen in more than 80 countries around the world.
Contents
The Story of Caracol Televisión
How Caracol Started as a TV Producer
Caracol Televisión began its journey way back in 1954. At that time, a radio company called Organization Radiodifusora Caracol had an idea. They offered to help the only TV channel in Colombia, Televisora Nacional, stay on air. Their plan was to get special time slots to show commercials and programs.
In 1955, this idea was approved. They created a new company called TVC (Televisión Comercial Limitada). This was one of the first companies to produce TV shows in Colombia.
Later, in 1967, TVC was given 45 hours of TV programming each week. This was decided by Inravisión, the national TV institute. In September 1969, TVC officially changed its name to Caracol Televisión S.A. Their main goal was to create and sell TV programs.
Famous Shows and Growth
In 1972, a popular comedy show called Campeones de la risa began. It later became known as Sábados felices (Happy Saturdays). This show is still on air today! Caracol TV kept making more and more programs. By the late 1980s, they were producing popular evening soap operas, also known as telenovelas. Some of these included San Tropel and Quieta Margarita.
Caracol TV was also part of a group called OTI Colombia. This group helped them get the rights to broadcast big events. These events included the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.
In 1987, the Santo Domingo Group, now called Valórem, took over Caracol TV. They started to update the technology and how the company was run. Between 1992 and 1997, Caracol TV became one of the biggest TV producers. Their shows were shown mainly on Cadena Uno, which is now Canal Uno.
Becoming a National Private TV Channel
A new law in Colombia allowed private companies to run their own TV channels. So, on November 24, 1997, Caracol Televisión was chosen. They received one of two licenses to operate as a "national channel of private operation" for 10 years. The other license went to their rival, RCN Televisión.
Caracol TV started testing its new independent channel on June 10, 1998. They showed the opening ceremony of the 1998 FIFA World Cup live from France. They also re-aired some of their older shows. Caracol Televisión has had the rights to broadcast matches of the Colombia national football team since 1992. These matches are shown under the name Gol Caracol.
Regular broadcasts for Caracol Televisión began on July 10, 1998. At first, the channel was seen in big cities like Bogotá and Medellín. Later, it expanded to cover the rest of the country. Caracol TV and RCN TV became the main private channels in Colombia.
Partnerships and New Technologies
In 2000, Caracol TV made deals with international TV companies. They also partnered with Walt Disney International in 2001. This led to the creation of the telenovela La baby sister. In the same year, Caracol TV also worked with RTI Colombia and Telemundo.
In 2003, Caracol Radio, which was a sister company, became part of a Spanish group. This ended its official business ties with Caracol Televisión. However, Caracol Televisión is still allowed to use the "Caracol" name.
Caracol TV's news program, Noticias Caracol, is part of a news exchange service. This service, called Alianza Informativa Latinoamericana, started in 2005. It includes big networks like CBS in the United States.
In 2007, Caracol TV finished building its new main offices in Bogotá. This big project cost about 30 million dollars. By 2008, Caracol Televisión became one of the five largest TV production and distribution companies in Latin America. They had a presence in over 50 countries.
In February 2009, a new cable channel called Novelas Caracol started. It shows old and new telenovelas and is available to cable subscribers in Colombia.
Digital TV broadcasts began in Colombia in 2010, using the DVB-T standard. In August 2011, Caracol signed an agreement with the Korean channel Arirang TV. This agreement allows them to share news, sports, and other topics. They can also work together to produce TV shows.
In 2012, Valórem, the owner of Caracol TV, started a new radio business. They created the Bluradio network. A second music radio station, La Kalle, began in 2016.
In April 2014, Caracol TV temporarily removed its HD feed from cable and satellite TV. They wanted operators to pay a fee. The HD signal returned briefly for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It was pulled again afterward but returned permanently in 2017 after a court ruling.
Before the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Caracol HD2 was launched. This is a digital subchannel that shows some sports events. On September 14, 2016, a third digital subchannel started broadcasting La Kalle radio programs.
In November 2014, Caracol got an app for an interactive TV game show called TOUCH. This show was aired live every evening during prime time. On June 12, 2015, Caracol Televisión launched Caracol TV Medios. This is a brand that includes all of Caracol's TV channels and radio stations in Colombia.
In August 2016, the picture size for standard definition TV was changed to 16:9. Caracol TV also planned to bring the Olympic Games back to Colombian television, starting with the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Caracol's Radio Stations
In July 2012, Caracol TV started its first radio station, Bluradio. This station became very popular. A second radio station, a music station called La Kalle, began broadcasting in 2016.
Caracol's Connection to WGEN-TV
In December 2005, Caracol TV bought a part of a TV station in Miami, Florida, called WGEN-TV. This station showed Colombian and Brazilian telenovelas. It also had a news program made in Colombia. WGEN-TV also created its own local shows.
From 2012 to 2016, WGEN became part of MundoFox (later MundoMax). This network was linked to Caracol's rival, RCN TV. After MundoMax closed, WGEN became independent again in 2017. In 2018, WGEN was sold and became part of Estrella TV.
More to Explore
- Noticias Caracol
- Caracol Internacional
- Television in Colombia
- List of telenovelas of Caracol Televisión
See also
In Spanish: Caracol Televisión para niños
