History of RCN Televisión in Timeline

RCN Televisión, or Canal RCN, is a Colombian free-to-air television network owned by Organización Ardila Lülle. Founded in 1967 as a production company, it launched as an independent channel in 1998. Carlos Ardila Lülle is the main shareholder. RCN is known for producing the globally successful telenovela 'Yo soy Betty, la fea'.

March 23, 1967: Founded as a television production company

On March 23, 1967, RCN Televisión was founded as a television production company by Organización Ardila Lülle.

1967: RCN Radio participated in television network bidding

In 1967, RCN Radio participated in the bidding for spaces in the official television network, securing one hour per day. This hour was divided into two series: 'El Hogar' (The Home), a Colombian production, and the American television series 'Bewitched'.

1973: Carlos Ardila Lülle purchased RCN Radio and Television

In 1973, Carlos Ardila Lülle purchased RCN Radio and its subsidiary RCN Television. Three years later, he relaunched RCN as a television production company.

1980: First live and color broadcast

In 1980, RCN became the first company to broadcast a television program both live and in color, which was the Miss Colombia beauty contest. Since then, RCN has held the rights to broadcast this event.

1984: Produced Cusumbo and El Taita

In 1984, RCN produced television series with high remembrance among viewers like Cusumbo and El Taita, which was the first Colombian telenovela filmed in exterior locations.

August 1988: Became part of OTI Colombia

In August 1988, RCN became part of OTI Colombia, which granted them the rights to broadcast the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.

1995: Colombian government opened bidding for private television networks

In 1995, the Colombian government opened up a bidding for two private television networks. RCN took part in this bidding, getting one of the two licenses.

1997: Started construction on the infrastructure

In 1997, RCN started construction on the infrastructure to launch the television channel.

July 10, 1998: Officially launched as an independent channel

On July 10, 1998, RCN Televisión was officially launched as an independent channel.

July 1998: RCN aired for the first time as a private channel

On July 10 1998, RCN aired for the first time as a private channel. In this first stage, RCN launched two telenovelas -La Madre and Carolina Barrantes- and improved the news bulletins.

1998: Premiered La madre

In 1998, RCN Televisión premiered its first telenovela, La madre, starring Margarita Rosa de Francisco and Héctor de Malba and directed by Pepe Sánchez.

1999: RCN and Caracol started to beat the public channels

In only the second semester of 1999, RCN and Caracol got to beat the public channels, taking more of the 90 percent of the viewers.

2000: Began broadcasting 24 hours a day

In 2000, RCN Televisión began broadcasting its programming 24 hours a day.

2000: RCN and Caracol got to beat the public channels

In the first semester of 2000, RCN and Caracol got to beat the public channels, taking more of the 90 percent of the viewers.

2002: Premiered Protagonistas de novela

In 2002, RCN Televisión premiered its first reality show, Protagonistas de novela, which was hosted by María Cecilia Botero and recorded from Miami, United States.

2003: Launched Protagonistas de Novela

In 2003, RCN launched its first reality show, Protagonistas de Novela, which became the most watched show that year in Colombia.

2004: Launched La Isla de los Famosos

In 2004, RCN launched La Isla de los Famosos (a Colombian version of Survivor), which became the most watched show in RCN.

2006: The X Factor became the number one show in Colombia

In 2006, the Colombian version of The X Factor became the number one show in Colombia, with two seasons, and a third and a fourth named Factor XS, where the competitors are kids instead of adults.

2007: Ratings hit with Pura Sangre and La Hija del Mariachi

RCN got a ratings hit with 2007 telenovelas Pura Sangre and La Hija del Mariachi.

July 2008: First to offer online domestic English-language news updates

In July 2008, RCN became the first TV network in Colombia to offer online domestic English-language news updates under the brand, "RCN News" and RCN News in English. The full news updates would air on RCN's international network, "TV Colombia" in the mornings, anchored by Brian Andrews.

November 3, 2008: Sister channel NTN24 went on the air

On November 3, 2008, RCN Televisión's sister channel, NTN24, went on the air. NTN24 is a channel that broadcasts news 24 hours a day, with spaces for opinion, analysis, economics, sports, entertainment and specialized topics.

2008: Telenovelas El Último Matrimonio Feliz and Los Protegidos

RCN got a ratings hit with 2008 telenovelas, El Último Matrimonio Feliz and Los Protegidos.

August 5, 2009: Announced creation of RCN Novelas

As of August 5, 2009, RCN Televisión announced the creation of RCN Novelas, RCN's soap opera channel through the subscription television network, intended as a direct competitor to Caracol Televisión's Novelas Caracol.

July 2010: "RCN News in English" was phased out

Near the end of 2010, "RCN News in English" was phased out and began to offer only English-language international news updates for RCN's sister network, "Nuestra Tele Noticias 24" under the brand "news.NTN24.com". Plans for the format change began to surface in July 2010 after Andrews involuntarily left the country in May after doing a report in El Cerrito, Valle del Cauca.

January 2011: Began broadcasting in HD

As of January 2011, with the arrival of DTT, RCN Televisión began broadcasting in HD.

February 2011: Brand name changed to NTN24News.com

In February 2011, the brand name changed to "NTN24News.com" and the website layout changed to accommodate a larger video display showcasing the latest news update.

2012: NTN24 News provides mostly news produced from wire services

As of late 2012, NTN24 News provides mostly news produced from wire services like Reuters and very little original reporting.

2012: Began to broadcast his first telenovela in HD

In 2012, RCN Televisión began to broadcast his first telenovela in HD as it was "Pobres Rico" with the protagonists Juan Pablo Raba and Maria Helena Doering.

April 30, 2014: Suspended HD signal on pay television operators

On April 30, 2014, RCN Televisión decided to suspend its HD signal transmitted by the main pay television operators in Colombia.

July 16, 2015: 21st Century Fox sold its stake in MundoFox to RCN Televisión

On July 16, 2015, 21st Century Fox sold its stake in MundoFox to RCN Televisión, giving RCN full ownership. The president of MundoFox, Herman López, stated that the company was proud to have started MundoFox with RCN Televisión and is confident that they will realize the signal's full potential.

July 28, 2015: MundoFox began to introduce a new identity as MundoMax

On July 28, 2015, MundoFox began to progressively introduce a new identity as MundoMax. In addition, RCN Televisión announced that it had canceled the network's news broadcasts.

July 31, 2015: RCN Televisión president spoke about MundoFox news cancellation

On July 31, 2015, the president of RCN Televisión, Ibra Morales, stated that RCN Televisión continues its dedication to bringing quality news coverage to the Hispanic community in the United States. RCN Televisión hopes to make MundoMax the most important Hispanic network in the United States in a short time.

May 2016: Unified SD and HD signals

In May 2016, two years after the withdrawal of its HD signal from subscription television operators in Colombia, RCN Televisión unified the SD and HD signals, broadcasting in a 16:9 aspect ratio.

2016: MundoMax signal was closed

In 2016, the MundoMax signal was closed, due to low levels of audience ratings and reliability.

March 30, 2017: Reactivated HD signal after Supreme Court ruling

On March 30, 2017, three years after its withdrawal from the HD signal in several cable operators, RCN Televisión reactivated it after a Supreme Court ruling, depending on the country's coverage.