Canal 13 (Chilean TV network)

Canal 13 is a Chilean free-to-air television network. Informally known in Chile as El 13 (The Thirteen), it is the second oldest television station in the country. Launched on August 21, 1959, on VHF channel 2 in Santiago, it was founded by a group of engineers from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. The station later moved its frequency to VHF channel 13, which gave rise to its current name. One of its most significant milestones was broadcasting the 1962 FIFA World Cup, hosted in Chile.
It was originally named Corporación de Televisión de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Television Corporation of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile) until 2010, when the university sold most of its shares to Andrónico Luksic Craig's Grupo Luksic [es]. In 2017, Grupo Luksic acquired full ownership of the channel.
Its central studios are located in the Eleodoro Rodríguez Matte Television Centre, which has housed the channel's production and broadcast facilities since the 1980s. The complex is situated in Providencia, Santiago Metropolitan Region, and covers 5 hectares. Since 1998, the facility has been named after the station's deceased executive director, Eleodoro Rodríguez Matte, who was one of the longest-serving individuals in that position.
On November 25, 1952, the first RCA Victor brand industrial television equipment was received in Santiago, Chile. It was acquired by the Catholic University in association with the Chilean subsidiary of the North American firm. Two teams were immediately established at the university to oversee the use of the system: a technical team led by engineer Julio del Río and an artistic team directed by Germán Becker. On December 12 of that year, the first experimental program was broadcast in a closed circuit from the Auditorium of the School of Physics at the Catholic University. The broadcast, though marked by several technical errors, was considered a success. In January 1953, the university's television department collaborated with Radio Minería for a special broadcast of its program La Cadena de la Amistad, marking the first public television broadcast in Chile.
In 1959, Pedro Caraball was appointed head of the Electronics Department. At the same time, a 100 W audio transmitter was built and new Philips industrial equipment was purchased, leading to the first test transmissions on July 17. On August 21 of that year, at 7:00 p.m., experimental transmissions formally began from an attic on the fourth floor of the Central House, with a receiver installed in the reception of El Diario Ilustrado. These transmissions used VHF channel 2 and featured a schedule of three films per week. The broadcasts were interrupted on December 31 due to an accident that affected the transmitter. In January 1960, the Television Department was established, and Juan Ángel Torti was appointed as its director to officially organize the station.
The test transmissions ended on Saturday, April 15, 1961, at 6:00 p.m., when the Catholic University’s television station began its official broadcasts on channel 13. Since April 3 of the same year, test broadcasts had been conducted from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to adjust the equipment. A studio was built in the University's Central House, from which Recuerdos de la Pérgola de las Flores, the channel's first program, was broadcast. Additionally, El Show de Antonio Prieto and Tricotilandia, the first entertainment programs on Chilean television, were produced in the same studio. These programs were also the first to introduce commercial advertising to Chilean television.
In 1962, now definitively using channel 13, the station successfully broadcast the 1962 FIFA World Cup, which took place in Chile. This achievement was made possible by new equipment, including five cameras, a transmitter, and a link team, which had been received on March 29 of that year. Canal 13 was responsible for broadcasting the matches between Chile and Italy, Germany and Switzerland, as well as the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final of the championship. After the World Cup, the channel ceased broadcasts for nearly a month to make technical adjustments, resuming on Sunday, July 22, with the broadcast of the first part of La Pérgola de las Flores, which was divided into four parts aired every Sunday. That day also featured performances by the musical groups The Dreamers, The Strangers, and María Teresa Larraín.
In August of that year, Show Dominical began to air. In 1965, it moved to Saturdays as Sábados Alegres, and later, with its extended length, was renamed Sábados Gigantes. This became the oldest and most successful variety program in Latin America, hosted by Mario Kreutzberger, better known as Don Francisco. On October 2, 1962, the channel's studios were officially inaugurated in a ceremony led by Darío Aliaga, Eduardo Tironi, and Cardinal Raúl Silva Henríquez.
In 1963, the first Press Department of Chilean television was established, directed by journalist Leonardo Cáceres. That same year, the Dramatic Department was created under the direction of Hugo Miller. The teletheater The Greenhouse (1963) debuted, starring Malú Gatica, who was returning to the country after her time in Hollywood, and marked the debut of Sonia Viveros. The following year, the first national fiction series, This Is My Family, began broadcasting, starring Malú Gatica.
In 1964, Channel 13 started broadcasting seven days a week and covered the presidential elections on September 4, where Eduardo Frei Montalva was elected president. On April 1, 1965, the series El Liter 4916 premiered with great success. Meanwhile, The Secret History of the Big News became the first documentary program on Chilean television. On December 27 of that same year, the channel introduced the videotape system by recording the teletheater The Browning Version with newly received equipment, launched with the help of Argentine technicians. Four days later, at 11:45 p.m. on December 31, 1965, the channel broadcast its first program recorded on videotape: a musical presentation by Marianela and Los Gatos, along with a greeting from Eduardo Tironi, the station director.
In 1967, the channel achieved another success with the comedy Juani en Society, starring Sonia Viveros and Silvia Piñeiro. In October of that year, it received new mobile transmission equipment, including a videotape system, which enabled the recording of outdoor scenes. On August 9, 1968, the channel received its first satellite transmission, corresponding to a live broadcast from the Chilean Embassy in Washington D.C., to mark the inauguration of the Longovilo earth station. On July 20 and 21, 1969, it covered the transmission of man's arrival on the Moon via satellite in conjunction with Channel 9 and National Television of Chile, the latter still in experimental transmissions.
On March 1, 1970, the Teletrece news program debuted, becoming the oldest news program on Chilean television still on air. In 1971, the channel became an associate member of the European Broadcasting Union. In 1972, Angelito de Canal 13, the first mascot of Channel 13 created by Enrique Bustamante, was introduced, and priest Raúl Hasbún took over as the channel's new director.
On December 24, 1972, the channel expanded its transmissions to the cities of San Fernando and Curicó on frequency 5, known in both cities as "Canal 5," officially beginning broadcasts on January 3, 1973. On February 8, 1973, Channel 5, a subsidiary station of Channel 13 in Concepción, also began broadcasting. The legislation in effect at that time (from 1970) did not account for the geographical expansion of university channels, leading to significant controversy. Channel 13's campaign for national coverage was contentious, particularly due to its editorial stance opposing the then-current government, in stark contrast to National Television of Chile and Channel 9 of the University of Chile.
On September 11, 1973—the day of the coup d'état against the government of Salvador Allende—Channel 13 was the only television outlet authorized to broadcast by order of the Military Government Junta. For three days, Channel 13 used TVN's frequency network, as TVN and Channel 9 were off the air.
In 1974, due to issues with the new rector of the Catholic University, Jorge Swett Madge—appointed by the Military Junta—Raúl Hasbún resigned from his position. Eleodoro Rodríguez Matte succeeded him. Programming increased, and starting in March of that year, the channel began its daily broadcasts at 9:00 a.m. and continued until 1:00 a.m. It also retransmitted its programs on a delayed basis to La Serena and Coquimbo after signing an agreement with Canal 8 UCV Televisión in 1975.
In 1976, the channel broadcast, in conjunction with National Television, the Chilean team's matches in the Davis Cup and the playoff match of the Copa Libertadores final between Cruzeiro and River Plate at the National Stadium. The channel also extended its signal to other parts of Chile, inaugurating a repeater in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar in November 1976 on channel 8, a frequency previously held by UCV Televisión until February 1969. In December 1976, the channel signed an agreement with the Universidad del Norte Television Network, allowing it to retransmit its programs in Antofagasta, Arica, Calama, Chuquicamata, Iquique, María Elena, and Tocopilla.
In 1975, the Treasury ended the subsidies it had periodically granted to university television stations since their inception. Consequently, Canal 13 began to finance itself solely through advertising and contributions from the Catholic University. However, advertising revenues soon allowed the channel to operate as a commercial station and generate additional profits. This new direction was symbolized by programs created by director Gonzalo Bertrán and presenter César Antonio Santis, who joined from National Television in 1976. They first produced musical specials featuring foreign artists and later created two-hour variety shows, starting with Esta noche fiesta in 1977.
On April 12, 1978, color television transmissions were authorized in Chile, establishing the American NTSC standard as official. Canal 13 adapted quickly, acquiring four RCA TK-760 cameras and a TK-28 equipment within three months. By June, the channel, along with National Television, broadcast the Soccer World Cup from Argentina using this new technology. On December 2 of that year, Canal 13, TVN, and the channels of the University of Chile and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso organized and broadcast the OTI Song Festival at the Municipal Theater of Santiago. Additionally, on December 8 and 9, the channels came together again to broadcast the first Teletón.
In 1981, the soap operas La Madrastra and Casagrande and the news programs Teletarde and Telenoche premiered. Following this, the channel's production increased, and on May 15, 1983, it inaugurated its Television Center in Providencia, moving from the studios on Lira Street. Studio D at the former location, where La Madrastra was recorded, had suffered a fire on July 20, 1981. One of the first programs produced in the new studios was the variety show Martes 13, which launched live from Studio 3 on July 7, 1983. Additionally, Canal 13 continued to expand, premiering its signal in Talca on August 21, 1984, through channel 8, and extending to Chillán and Los Angeles through channel 13 on December 18.
On March 3, 1985, Channel 13 extended the edition of Teletrece until around 1 a.m. in response to the earthquake in Algarrobo. Additionally, on March 8 and 9, the channel organized the first edition of the Chile ayuda a Chile campaign to gather aid for earthquake victims, with a broadcast that lasted more than 30 hours. On September 6 of that year, it began broadcasting in Constitución through channel 9. In 1986, in collaboration with National Television, it broadcast the Davis Cup match involving the Chilean team and premiered the telenovela Ángel Malo, an adaptation of a Brazilian telenovela from 1975, during the first half of the year. The channel also broadcast Secreto de Familia in the second half of the year. Canal 13 continued its expansion by reaching Cauquenes (channel 7) and Temuco (channel 4), with transmissions in Temuco beginning on July 18. In June, it broadcast the 1986 FIFA World Cup from Mexico with TVN, and on July 30, it inaugurated Channel 5's studios in Concepción, modeled after the Providencia Television Center.
In 1987, Channel 13 expanded its reach to several cities: Puerto Montt (channel 13), Osorno (channel 9, starting October 28), Angol (channel 10), San Felipe, Lebu, Lautaro, Traiguén, and Saladillo. From April 1 to 5, it broadcast Pope John Paul II's visit to Chile live as the official channel, at the request of the Chilean episcopate, and was the only station to cover the entire event. Additionally, on August 7 and 8, Sábados Gigantes celebrated its 25th anniversary with a 25-hour special program. Finally, from October 10 to 25, it co-broadcast the U-20 Soccer World Cup held in Chile that year with National Television.
During 1990, Universidad Católica de Chile Televisión achieved national coverage, reaching from Arica (channel 8) to Quellón (channel 5). On May 29, 1991, the channel, along with Televisión Nacional de Chile, broadcast the final match of the 1991 Copa Libertadores, achieving high ratings for both channels. The broadcast was presented by Pedro Carcuro, Ignacio Hernández (for TVN), and Alberto Fouillioux (for Channel 13). On June 5, both channels broadcast the second leg of the 1991 Copa Libertadores final, again with high ratings for both stations. This broadcast was directed by Gonzalo Bertrán and presented by Pedro Carcuro, Sergio Livingstone (for TVN), Alberto Fouillioux, and Julio Martínez (for Channel 13). Additionally, on June 28, the channel added the American series The Simpsons to its schedule, which became a long-standing and iconic program on Channel 13. Coverage continued to expand in 1991, reaching Vallenar, Rancagua, and Punta Arenas. At the beginning of 1992, the channel began broadcasting in the communes of Petorca and Illapel. In Punta Arenas, the signal began transmitting on May 15, 1991, with 6 hours of programming initially, which was gradually extended. This system remained in place until April 1993, when it was replaced by live satellite signals from Santiago.
On March 16, 1992, the press department underwent a restructuring, with Eduardo Riveros taking over at Teletarde. As a result, Jeanette Frazier and the announcer Augusto Gatica left the news reading roles. Gatica then became the official voice-over of the channel, along with Christian Gordon, until August 1997. Additionally, on December 26, Sábado Gigante was broadcast for the last time from Santiago; the program subsequently moved to the Univision network in the United States. The soap operas Marrón Glacé and Doble Juego were also released. Furthermore, Channel 13 achieved definitive national coverage with its arrival in the Aysén Region.
In December 1994, the final stage of the Television Center was inaugurated with the presence of President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle and Eleodoro Rodríguez Matte. The center became the television channel with the largest infrastructure area in the country at that time, covering 30,000 square meters. That same year, Punta Arenas began to be broadcast in Compressed Digital Image format via satellite from the channel's Press Department. On May 1, 1995, the press department underwent a renewal, with Javier Miranda taking over Teletrece, Eduardo Riveros heading Teletarde, and Jorge Díaz Saenger or Loreto Delpin in Telenoche. On July 25, Martes 13 was broadcast for the last time, and on October 16, Viva el Lunes premiered.
In 1996, the channel broadcast the Chilean team's matches in the Davis Cup, a trend that continued in 1997 and 1998. Additionally, in February of that year, it extended its signal to Coyhaique on channel 6. However, on November 13, Channel 13 ended local production in Concepción after 23 years due to economic issues, converting Channel 5 into a full-time repeater of programming from Santiago. On April 24, Channel 13 broadcast the Qualifiers for France '98, covering the Chilean soccer team's away matches against Venezuela, Argentina, and Ecuador. In 1997, the channel began broadcasting 24 hours a day on weekends and premiered telenovelas such as Adrenalina, Playa Salvaje, Marparaíso, and Fuera de Control.
In 1998, Channel 13 was awarded the broadcast rights to the Copa Libertadores de América, which had previously belonged to Megavisión. The channel also acquired the children’s program Cachureos, which had previously been broadcast on Televisión Nacional and had four seasons on Channel 13. Additionally, in July, the channel broadcast the Chilean team's Davis Cup match against Colombia for the last time. On July 18, Eleodoro Rodríguez Matte, the director of the television station since 1974, passed away. Rodrigo Jordán succeeded him as director on August 6.
In 1999, Channel 13 began broadcasting on the Internet through its website canal13.cl and aired the religious microprogram Reflexiones for the last time. On June 18, the channel updated its corporate image, retiring its classic logo and mascot.
In January 2010, following a crisis caused by low ratings and the failure of several programs, several key figures at the channel resigned, including Executive Director Mercedes Ducci, Press Director Pilar Bernstein, and General Manager Sergio Cavagnaro. After Ducci's resignation, Jorge Herrera, the president of the Corporation's Advisory Council, assumed the role of executive director on an interim basis. In April, the new rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Ignacio Sánchez, appointed Marcelo von Chrismar Werth as the new Executive Director. In June, Patricio Hernández was reinstated as Director of Programming, and journalist Eliana Rozas was appointed as Director of Press. Additionally, Deportes 13 and the reporting area were made directly dependent on the Press Department, ceasing to be autonomous areas of the channel. This restructuring occurred amid a climate of crisis within the channel due to low viewership, increased financial losses, and the failure of many new programs. There were also early signs of stagnation in advertising investments, attributed to competition from the Internet.
Channel 13 also controls three sister channels, four radio stations through 13 Radios (see the section below), and two free online streaming services.
Channel 13 once had regional stations that broadcast local news. However, as the primary signal began reaching those regions, the regional stations were gradually closed.
Channel 13 also has a radio brand called 13 Radios, founded in 2013. It includes the following four stations: