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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by RandomMe98 (talk | contribs) at 16:02, 13 January 2025 (←Created page with ''''Rwanda Television''' ('''RTV''', formerly '''TVR''') is the oldest television channel in Rwanda. Owned by the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency which also owns Radio Rwanda, the channel airs programming in the country's national languages. ==History== ===Studies, pre-genocide=== Télévision Rwandaise was set up in December 1992.<ref></ref>...'). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Rwanda Television (RTV, formerly TVR) is the oldest television channel in Rwanda. Owned by the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency which also owns Radio Rwanda, the channel airs programming in the country's national languages.

History

Studies, pre-genocide

Télévision Rwandaise was set up in December 1992. Rwanda, together with Chad, was among the last countries in Françafrique to introduce television. Assessment studies with French aid were made in 1984 when signals from neighboring countries were received in parts of the country. In June 1988, TVR was already in the planning stages; a study was entrusted to the ITU in September, co-financed with the UNDP. However Rwanda, with its "privileged relations with France", issued a request to the French government on 23 May 1990, followed by a mission from the director of Cultural Action of the French Ministry of Cooperation and Development between 21 and 25 September, studying the implementation of TVR with high ORINFOR officials, including its conditions and modalities. A complementary study was made between 26 March and 9 April 1991 by two experts from TDF to install transmitters in the sites recommended by the ITU, not only for television, but also for FM radio.

Initially, it was predicted that TVR's programming would consist mainly on programming with socio-cultural topics, covering topics such as development, safety, education, environment and evolution of society. Also a priority were relays of key important events in the political, cultural, religious and sporting sectors.

French co-operation led to the installation of a 5kW television transmitter in Kigali, its capital, followed by a 1kW Band III transmitter in Mount Huye, Butare and a 50W transmitter in Mount Kalisimbi, Ruhengeri. France also supplied TVR with technical equipment and the possibility of joint Franco-Rwandan co-productions, as well as French programming provided by CFI. The joint goals set up that 60% (40% in the initial phase) of the output was produced in Rwanda with the rest coming from overseas.

In December 1992, TVR made its first broadcast with a message from President Juvénal Habyarimana, with its programming restricted to Saturdays and Sundays from 6pm to 11pm, before starting broadcasts on Fridays and, progressively, covering the whole week. Its first and provisional facilities were located at Nyarurenge, in downtown Kigali, while waiting for the definitive facilities in Gacukiro to be completed. At launch time, 70% of its programming was local, with the remaining output coming from foreign sources (films, football matches, international news offered from CFI and DW). On 6 April 1994, Juvénal Habyarimana died and the start of the genocide prompted TVR to suspend its operations on 7 April. TVR is, indirectly, considered to be one of the first "victims" of the genocide.

Post-genocide

Following the massacre in July 1994, TVR's facilities were heavily damaged. The cost of reconstructing TVR was high, and American aid eased the facilitation of its rebuild. The main studio, still under construction before the Hutu-Tutsi war started, had finished, but putting the Mount Jari station operational had to be rebuilt, at a cost of US$3 million. Radio and television signals were also reinstated, also covering north-western Rwanda and neighboring parts of Zaire. American support also helped fill in the void in the technical sector, as the station had lost its resources due to the war.

By the end of the year, TVR was broadcasting three days a week. In 1999, TVR started airing Imvaho, a program for women.

TVR refused to air the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations due to a lack of payment with the rights holder. Its counterparts in Zambia and Ghana were facing the same issue.

In 2012, TVR lost its television monopoly.

Rwanda Television

On 3 March 2016, RTV was made available on DStv, enabling the channel to have a wide satellite reach. The channel was made available to Rwandan subscribers on channel 299.

References

1. Television could be effective in the family planning program in Rwanda
2. ^ Histoire de la télévision en Afrique noire francophone, des origines à nos jours. KARTHALA Editions. 2009. ISBN 978-2-8111-5085-3. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
3. Rwanda: The Media - a Historical Perspective
4. Rwandan women build peaceand justice on radio
5. Nations Cup blackout
6. More TV stations to open
7. Rwanda Television now on DSTV

• 1992 establishments in Rwanda
• Television channels and stations established in 1992