RecordTV Uganda
{{Short description|Television channel}}
{{Infobox company
| name = RecordTV Uganda
| logo = RecordTV_Uganda_logo.jpg
| logo_size =
| type = Private
| foundation = {{start date text|11 September 2006}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.observer.ug/component/content/article?id=7267:record-expands-its-wings|title=Record expands its wings|last=Eupal|first=Felix|website=The Observer |language=en-gb|access-date=2019-12-05}}
| location = Nairobi, Westlands, Kenya
| owner = Former Grupo Record Currently: Record MEDIA GROUP PLC
Sister channels: Record TV Kenya, Record TV Africa
| key_people = Felix Muranda
| num_employees =
| industry = television
| products =
| revenue =
| homepage =
Website: recordnews.digital
}}
RecordTV Uganda, also known as Record Network, was a Ugandan free-to-air terrestrial television channel owned by Grupo Record, and was a foreign affiliate of the Record television network from Brazil. Economical difficulties led to the closure of RecordTV Uganda in 2021.
The channel broadcast primarily in English, with some content in Luganda.
Facebook link; Record TV uganda
History
Record Network started test broadcasts in January 2006, after bishop Aroldo Martins, who was the president of Record Europa at the time, was finding new investments in Africa.{{cite web |title=Record fala inglês e abre filial em Uganda|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/ilustrad/fq1910200504.htm |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=Folha de São Paulo |date=19 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110154310/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/ilustrad/fq1910200504.htm |archive-date=10 November 2023}} Around the same time, the group was setting up television channels in Cape Verde (terrestrial) and Angola (subscription).{{cite web |title=Aroldo Martins de Rede Record: Inaugurada central de producción en Londres |url=https://www.produ.com/noticias/aroldo-martins-de-rede-record-inaugurada-central-de-produccion-en-londres |access-date=13 June 2023 |website=Produ.com |date=22 February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613144919/https://www.produ.com/noticias/aroldo-martins-de-rede-record-inaugurada-central-de-produccion-en-londres |archive-date=13 June 2023}}
On 11 September 2006, the channel broadcast relays of Record Europa before quickly starting local programming. Its first talent show, Super Girl Talent Search, started in December 2006, aimed at female contestants over the age of 16.{{cite web |title=Super Girl talent kicks off |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1135350/super-girl-talent-kicks |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=NewVision |date=8 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110152454/https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1135350/super-girl-talent-kicks |archive-date=10 November 2023}} By August 2006, Record Network had hired Charles Oimuke, who formerly worked at WBS.{{cite web |title=Straka, Oimuke an item? |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1142595/straka-oimuke-item |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=NewVision |date=19 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110153020/https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1142595/straka-oimuke-item |archive-date=10 November 2023}}
At the end of 2009, Record lost the rights to I Do when talks of the sale of the format to UBC Television emerged.{{cite web |title=Star Trail: Record TV loses 'I Do', Amarula joins Bukedde TV |url=https://www.observer.ug/component/content/article?id=6454:star-trail-record-tv-loses-i-do-amarula-joins-bukedde-tv |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=The Observer |date=16 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115232749/https://www.observer.ug/component/content/article?id=6454:star-trail-record-tv-loses-i-do-amarula-joins-bukedde-tv |archive-date=15 January 2024}}
On 23 March 2021, rumors had circulated that RecordTV was out of money to pay its employees, with leaked information hinting at a 31 March shutdown date. Another potential reason was the lack of interest from viewers.{{cite web |title=Record TV Reportedly Runs Out Of Money To Pay Employees, Set To Close Shop At The Beginning Of April |url=https://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2021/03/23/record-tv-reportedly-runs-out-of-money-to-pay-employeesset-to-close-shop-at-the-beginning-of-the-month/ |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=Galaxy FM |date=23 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323185350/https://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2021/03/23/record-tv-reportedly-runs-out-of-money-to-pay-employeesset-to-close-shop-at-the-beginning-of-the-month/ |archive-date=23 March 2021}} The shutdown was later confirmed to the public, with the primary cause being adverse effects of the pandemic and economic uncertainties from the European partners that helped set up the station. Its sister radio operation, 97.7 Record FM, continued operating.