RTP (Bolivia)

In 1985, Carlos Palenque, who already had a radio station (Radio Metropolitana, founded in 1979),{{cite book |title=Serie Anales de la Reunión Anual de Etnología |url=https://www.google.pt/books/edition/Serie_Anales_de_la_Reuni%C3%B3n_Anual_de_Etn/EawkAQAAIAAJ |access-date=17 June 2025 |date=2003 | publisher=MUSEF }} founded the channel.{{cite book |title=A dónde va Bolivia? |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jqbRTmuNWpIC&dq=%22RTP%22+%22Carlos+Palenque%22&pg=PA59 |access-date=6 February 2024 |date=2005 | last1=Hufty | first1=Marc | publisher=Plural Editores | isbn=978-99905-63-83-2 }} The channel was created following the principles of his radio outlet: "Alternative and participative communication, presenting the fact as they happen, community services and programming according to the expectations of the people". Numerous participants spontaneously appeared in front of its cameras to express their needs and daily problems. At the time, the channel broadcast a five-hour schedule still in experimental format, from Mondays to Saturdays.{{cite web |title=Noramativa Legal de Difusión de Los Programas Enlatados de Medios de Comunicación y Su Impacto Sobre El Comportamiento de La Población Infantil en Bolivia|url=https://repositorio.umsa.bo/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/13822/TD-3864.pdf?sequence=1 |access-date=5 February 2024 |website=International Media Support |date=2011 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240205115340/https://repositorio.umsa.bo/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/13822/TD-3864.pdf?sequence=1 |archive-date=5 February 2024}}

Carlos Palenque's son Jorge Luis Palenque was already working on the station in its early years, starting with programs aimed at children and youth, but within years had joined the news department.[https://www.lostiempos.com/oh/paparazzi/20250515/legado-del-compadre-palenque-medios-populares El legado del Compadre Palenque y los medios populares]

In June 1988, the government of the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement under the command of Víctor Paz Estenssoro, ordered the closure of the Metropolitana radio station and the RTP channel due to an interview with drug trafficker and self-proclaimed "king of cocaine" Roberto Suárez Gómez (who had a stance against the Bolivian government), which involved Paz Estenssoro. Roberto said that "the King is the United States and the Vice-King is Víctor Paz Estenssoro".[https://datos-bo.com/politica/clausura-y-juicios-contra-medios-de-comunicacion/ Clausura y juicios contra medios de comunicación] The State considered that the interview was an apology for crime and a lack of respect for the president.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Historiasdebolivia/photos/a.1733430520211393/1851033271784450/|title=Historias de Bolivia|access-date=2023-01-16|publisher=www.facebook.com|language=es}}{{cite encyclopedia|title=Bolivia: a country study|publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress|location=Washington, D.C.|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/90026427/|last=Gamarra|first=Eduardo A.|date=1991|editor-last=Hudson|editor-first=Rex A.|pages=205–207|isbn=|postscript=. {{PD-notice}}|editor2-last=Hanratty|editor2-first=Dennis Michael|accessdate=|entry=The Media}} Both the TV channel and its sister radio outlet Radio Metropolitana were banned for one year. In opposition, Carlos Palenque initiated a hunger strike against the decision.From Register, n. s. (16 June 1988). World Briefly: [Eveing Edition]. Orange County Register

The closure was rejected by press organizations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOlQU95EyxM|title=Amenaza Clausura RTP|via=www.youtube.com|access-date=2023-02-24|archive-date=2024-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206115810/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOlQU95EyxM|url-status=live}} The crowd that caused the event not only forced the reopening of both stations, but also led to the founding of Condepa.{{cite web |title=Neopopulismo y compensaciones a los perdedores del cambio económico en América Latina |url=https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/bolivien/10698.pdf |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=Konrad Adenauer Stiftung |date=13 July 2004 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20140514225846/https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/bolivien/10698.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2014}}

Everything continued with the purchase of RTP by ATB and La Razón. During this period, on March 8, 1997, Carlos Palenque died, victim of a heart attack.[https://noticiasfides.com/nacional/sociedad/se-recuerdan-16-anos-de-la-muerte-del-compadre-palenque--328208-328195 Se recuerdan 16 años de la muerte del "compadre" Palenque] The announcement of his death was delivered by Adolfo Paco, who weeped over a static slide:

"This is Adolfo Paco talking, coordinator-general of the system. Please inform the public opinion, that approximately two hours ago, Compadre Carlos Palenque ceased to exist, victim of a fatal cardiac arrest. We are all very hurt... We are devastated... In the past few days last few days, Compadre died... Very bad news... That ruined his health. And today, he left us, compadres. Compadre Carlos Palenque has died. I want... I want, please, people, today, more than ever, we are united, and we are going to inform you where his remains will be located. That was the information, compadres, thank you so much."{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IovFTVzF6c|title=Anuncio Oficial de La Muerte de Carlos Palenque Por La Red RTP y La Voz de Adolfo Paco|via=www.youtube.com|access-date=2023-02-24|archive-date=2024-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830121220/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IovFTVzF6c|url-status=live}}

Following the profits received from Televisa productions, the Garafulic Group bought 30% (later increased to 50%{{cite book |title=Ángeles decapitados: la situación de los medios masivos en Bolivia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DmUvAAAAYAAJ&q=%22RTP%22+%22Garafulic%22 |access-date=6 February 2024 |date=1999 | publisher=CEBEM | isbn=978-99905-809-1-4 }}) of the shares and transferred all the remaining programming to RTP and Bolivision . Thus having Garafulic as the total owner, until the bankruptcy of Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano, which led to the PRISA Group taking all the properties of the Garafulic Group.

In 2008, the channel started over-the-air broadcasts in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, being also available on cable company ITS; in January 2014, the channel was added to COTAS.{{cite news |title=RTP refuerza su cobertura en Santa Cruz |url=https://eju.tv/2014/01/rtp-refuerza-su-cobertura-en-santa-cruz/ |work=Eju! |date=January 31, 2014 |language=es}}

Originally, the son of Carlos Palenque and Mónica Medina knew the channel since he was 14 years old,"Era un tiro al aire", Jorge Luis Palenque, 2014, Televisión, Radio y Periódicos it was not until 2014, where after assuming the direction of La Doble 8 (a radio station of La Paz origin, also owned by the channel), he took over the RTP directive. Rumors emerged of a possible sale, which were denied by its administration.{{cite news |title=La "comadre" Mónica dice que no vendió RTP, pero anuncia cambios |url=https://eju.tv/2014/01/la-comadre-mnica-dice-que-no-vendi-rtp-pero-anuncia-cambios/ |work=Eju! |date=January 16, 2014 |language=es}}

Its first changes were to stop broadcasting telenovelas that were previously broadcast on other networks such as Pantanal, distance itself from talk shows (common on most channels) and broadcast several films (mostly from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon from Paramount Global's. with its long-standing partner, ATB). The channel also managed to produce its own series, mostly identified as Documentales RTP (the most notable being, Busch, Two Shots at Dawn), or also several national series.{{Cite web|url=https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/cochabamba/promueven-serie-antimachista/20150820202600529039.amp.html|title=Promueven una serie antimachista|access-date=2023-06-19|publisher=Opinión Bolivia|language=es}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/rtpbolivia/videos/novela/2720114494894015/|title=Novela {{!}} A 25 años de su estreno, "La Niña de sus Ojos" retorna a la pantalla de RTP este lunes 19 de octubre a las 17.30 La protagonista de la primera novela... {{!}} By RTP Bolivia {{!}} Facebook|access-date=2023-06-19|publisher=www.facebook.com|language=es}} It maintained several programs such as La Tribuna Libre del Pueblo or La Wislla Popular, but it also brought other programs, which were mostly broadcast on Bolivia TV.

While the reality talent show Bailando por un Sueño was broadcast on Red Uno, Jorge Luis Palenque criticized the channel, the program and stated that it was garbage television (telebasura), compared to RTP programming.{{Cite web|url=https://www.noticiasfides.com/nacional/sociedad/gerente-de-rtp-critica-la-tv-basura-y-se-estrella-con-bailando-por-un-sueno-369416-369316|title=Gerente de RTP critica la "TV basura" y se estrella con "Bailando por un Sueño" - ANF Agencia de Noticias Fides Bolivia|access-date=2023-06-19|publisher=www.noticiasfides.com}} He said that the program also objectified women, due to the controversial nature of the program.

After several attempts to launch its signal in HD, the ATT (the Bolivian Telecommunications and Transportation Authority) authorized Radiodifusoras Populares SA (the channel's corporate name) to operate in high definition, according to Supreme Decree Nº. 3152.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/rtpbolivia/videos/llega-la-se%C3%B1ala-de-alta-definici%C3%B3n-a-bolivia/1313536352113893/|title=Llega la señala de alta definición a Bolivia {{!}} RTP Bolivia Eje Troncal: 21 canales emiten su señal en alta resolución (HD), y el apagón analógico será hasta el 2024. RTP forma parte de este proceso. {{!}} By RTP Bolivia {{!}} Facebook|access-date=2023-06-19|publisher=www.facebook.com|language=es}} Although the license applies to the runk axis (La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz), the signal only operates in La Paz, as it only has one VHF signal.

Between 2017 and 2019, RTP received 42.5 million bolivianos in government propaganda.{{cite web|title=See the ranking of television stations that benefited from millionaire advertising in the government of Evo|url=https://www.noticiasfides.com/nacional/politica/vea-el-ranking-de-televisoras-beneficiadas-con-advertising-millionaire-en-el-gobierno-de-evo-404696|work=Agencia de Noticias Fides (ANF)|language=spanish|accessdate=June 13, 2020|archive-date=October 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017120344/https://www.noticiasfides.com/nacional/politica/vea-el-ranking-de-televisoras-beneficiadas-con-advertising-millionaire-en-el-gobierno-de-evo-404696|url-status=live}}  

RTP presented its new logo in 2021, and with this, it gradually renewed its programming.

In 2023, RTP made radical changes, withdrawing Cinemundo (a magazine program of cinematographic origin, similar to Cinescape and which moved from Red Uno) and Axesso (a musical program dedicated to rock, previously broadcast on Bolivia TV) and replacing them with more movies from Paramount as well as a new reality show, Lucha de Caseritas (hosted by former Sipiripi host, Rayssa Arias).{{Cite web|url=https://www.la-razon.com/la-revista/2023/03/30/las-caseritas-de-mercados-populares-protagonizaran-un-reality-show/|title=Las 'caseritas' de mercados populares protagonizarán un reality show|access-date=2023-06-19|publisher=La Razón|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/cultura/lucha-de-caseras-el-reality-que-rompe-esquemas-en-la-television-boliviana-LL7827159|title="Lucha de caseras", el reality que rompe esquemas en la televisión boliviana|access-date=2023-06-19|author=Página Siete}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/cultura/vendedoras-mercados-populares-protagonizan-reality-show-lucha-caseras/20230401112715902385.amp.html|title=Vendedoras de mercados populares protagonizan el reality show "Lucha de Caseras"|access-date=2023-06-19|publisher=Opinión Bolivia|language=es}}

In 2024, it completely loses the rights to Paramount Pictures films, with Red Uno being the only channel with an agreement with Paramount Global (broadcasting Nickelodeon series).

• La Tribuna Libre del Pueblo
• Taypi
• RTP Informa
• Noticiero Popular
• La Wislla Popular
• El Equipo Deportivo
• Los Principales
• Gustito Boliviano
• QD Show
• Fuego Cruzado
• Haciendo Historia
• Domingueando
• Cinemundo
• Tu Top
• Fiebre de Finde
• Lucha de Caseritas
• Claroscuro
• El Telepolicial
• Ritmo Popular
• ABC de la medicina
• No Mentiras
• RTP Mundo
• Sabado Estelar
• No Top
• Las Noches con Rodrigo Zelaya
• Desacuerdo
• Kausay Pacha
• Reporte Rural

• Jorge Luis Palenque
• Ángel Careaga
• Valeria Gonzáles
• Pepe Murillo
• Inés Quispe
• Eduardo Godoy
• Soraya Delfin
• Irguen Pastén
• Sofía Aracena
• Álvaro Funes
• Marco Tarifa

• Carlos Palenque
• Adolfo Paco
• Edgar Pato Patiño
• Mónica Medina
• Remedios Loza
• Perico Perez

• Dieter Rocha (since 2016)

{{reflist}}

{{Television in Bolivia}}

Category:Spanish-language television stations

Category:Television in Bolivia

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1985

Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 1988

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1993