Boas Novas Amazonas
A religious television station based in Manaus that operates the Boas Novas network in Amazonas, Brazil.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Boas Novas Amazonas is a Brazilian television station headquartered in Manaus, Amazonas, and the principal state operation of the Boas Novas religious broadcasting network. It broadcasts on channel 8 and is associated with the Boas Novas Foundation, an organization linked to the Evangelical Church Assembly of God in Amazonas (IEADAM). The station is notable for being the first television broadcaster established in Amazonas and one of the earliest television operations in the Brazilian North. Its history began with the Hauache family's experiments in cable television during the 1960s, developed into the creation of TV Ajuricaba, and eventually resulted in a long-running religious broadcaster serving both the state and viewers elsewhere in Brazil through satellite distribution. The station's immediate predecessor emerged from TV Manauara, a short-lived cable television project created by Sadie Hauache and Khaled Hauache. Experimental transmissions began in Manaus in 1965, using cables connected to the electricity network to reach the small number of local households that owned television sets. The project was formally established in 1966, but the cable system was difficult to maintain. The Hauache family subsequently pursued an open-broadcast concession through Sociedade Televisão Ajuricaba Ltda. TV Ajuricaba began experimental over-the-air transmissions at the end of 1968 and was officially inaugurated on September 5, 1969. Initially operating on UHF channel 38, TV Ajuricaba was an early pioneer of UHF broadcasting in Brazil. It later moved to UHF channel 20 and, in May 1980, transferred to VHF channel 8. The VHF move improved accessibility because many television receivers of the period were not equipped to tune UHF channels without additional equipment. The station expanded its reach across Amazonas during the 1970s through a retransmitter system known as CEGRASA. Before satellite distribution became available, recorded network programs were transported by air and boat to inland municipalities. Direct satellite transmission later replaced this labor-intensive system. TV Ajuricaba carried programming from several national networks during its secular phase. It showed content from TV Record, became associated with Rede Globo in the 1970s, and in 1986 changed its identity to Rede Brasil Norte after joining Rede Manchete. The station also developed local news and other locally scheduled programming, adapting network schedules to Manaus's time zone and regulatory conditions. Political tensions during the Diretas Já redemocratization movement contributed to the sale of the station and its sister radio operation in 1984. The purchaser was industrialist Antônio Simões, owner of Grupo Simões, but the media assets later produced losses and were placed on the market. In 1993, IEADAM acquired the station and Rádio Ajuricaba after a fundraising effort involving church members. Control passed to the church on March 15, 1993, while the purchase was fully paid by 1995. The station was rebranded as Rede Boas Novas and progressively replaced secular programming with evangelical content. It ended its affiliation with Rede Manchete at the close of 1997, affiliated with CNT at the beginning of 1998, and became an independent generator of Rede Boas Novas on September 5, 1999. From that point, religious programming became its defining business and editorial focus. The Manaus operation also distributed its programming nationally by satellite, including through a C-band service commonly associated with the network's nationwide reach. In 2006, the station moved from its long-standing facilities in the Santo Antônio neighborhood to a complex connected to the Canaã Convention Center in Japiim, alongside institutions and facilities associated with Boas Novas. Today, Boas Novas Amazonas is best understood as a regional broadcast station and network-generating operation rather than a conventional commercial entertainment channel. Its core output consists of Christian religious programming, local productions, news and ministry-oriented content, while its historical importance rests on its pioneering role in Amazonas television and its evolution from a secular regional affiliate into a church-linked national religious network.
History
The origins of Boas Novas Amazonas lie in the first attempts to create a television service in Amazonas. In 1965, Sadie Hauache and Khaled Hauache established TV Manauara, an experimental cable system in Manaus. The project used cables connected to the local electricity network and reached only a limited number of households, since very few residents owned television sets. Experimental broadcasts reportedly included obituary announcements. TV Manauara was formally organized in March 1966, but the cable infrastructure was vulnerable to frequent breaks and interference, including damage caused by kite lines. The Hauache family therefore pursued a conventional open television concession. In 1967, the family created Sociedade Televisão Ajuricaba Ltda. and obtained authorization to operate UHF channel 38 in Manaus. The station began experimental transmissions on December 31, 1968, initially transmitting test patterns required by the telecommunications authorities and then experimental programming drawn from stations in São Paulo and Guanabara. Its official inauguration took place on September 5, 1969. The name Ajuricaba referred to an Indigenous historical hero, and the first station logo depicted an Indian figure. Programming was initially produced live. The installation of videotape equipment in 1970 enabled the station to carry recorded programs, including material from TV Record, and from 1971 it also began showing programming from Rede Globo. The broadcaster changed frequency assignments during its first decade. It moved from UHF channel 38 to UHF channel 20 in 1973 and then transferred to VHF channel 8 on May 11, 1980. The latter change was commercially important because many television receivers then lacked built-in UHF tuning. TV Ajuricaba also sought to become a statewide broadcaster. In 1977 it created CEGRASA, a retransmission system that eventually reached dozens of municipalities. Before the advent of direct satellite feeds, network material was physically transported in recorded form by aircraft and boats. Satellite distribution to the interior began in the late 1970s and gradually displaced the tape-based system. The station's political and ownership history was as important as its technical development. During the Diretas Já movement from late 1983 into 1984, TV Ajuricaba openly supported redemocratization demonstrations in Amazonas. The political position of the station and its owners created opposition among local figures aligned with Brazil's military regime. The Hauache family consequently sold TV Ajuricaba and Rádio Ajuricaba in 1984 to Antônio Simões, an industrialist whose Grupo Simões was principally involved in beverage production and distribution. The broadcaster retained a secular identity under the new ownership. In 1986, after Rede Globo chose not to renew its affiliation, the station joined Rede Manchete and adopted the name Rede Brasil Norte, or RBN. Its local schedule included news and programs adapted to Manaus's time zone, while the station also made changes to the timing of network content. The broadcaster's results in audience terms did not translate into adequate commercial performance. Both the television and radio operations accumulated losses, and Grupo Simões placed its media holdings on the market in the early 1990s. The Evangelical Church Assembly of God in Amazonas emerged as the eventual buyer. The church initially considered acquiring the radio operation to expand evangelization, but decided to purchase the television station as well. A sales agreement was reached in January 1993, and control passed to IEADAM on March 15 of that year. The church mobilized its members to meet the purchase obligations, which were fully settled in 1995. The station's identity changed from Rede Brasil Norte to Rede Boas Novas, and its content gradually shifted from secular network entertainment toward religious programming. Programs associated with films, general entertainment and carnival coverage were reduced or replaced with locally produced evangelical shows. This created recurring audience complaints, particularly when popular Rede Manchete programming was removed from the schedule. RBN continued to carry Rede Manchete content until the end of 1997. At the beginning of 1998 it affiliated with CNT, whose broader free time allowed the station to expand its own production. By then, the broadcaster was distributing its output across Brazil through satellite, and it was producing a substantial weekly schedule of local and religious programming. On September 5, 1999, it became an independent generator of Rede Boas Novas, consolidating its role as a religious network rather than merely a local affiliate. In 2006, the Manaus operation moved from its original Santo Antônio facilities to a complex next to the Canaã Convention Center in Japiim. The station remains associated with the Boas Novas Foundation and serves as the historic Manaus-based center of the Boas Novas network.
- 2006
Manaus facilities relocate to Japiim
[1]The broadcaster moved from Santo Antônio to a complex attached to the Canaã Convention Center.
- 1999
Rede Boas Novas becomes independent
[1]On September 5, the Manaus station became an independent generator of the religious Rede Boas Novas network.
- 1998
RBN affiliates with CNT
[1]The station ended its Rede Manchete affiliation and began carrying CNT programming while expanding local output.
- 1995
Acquisition payments completed
[1]IEADAM completed payment for the media assets acquired from Grupo Simões.
- 1993
IEADAM takes control
[1]The Evangelical Church Assembly of God in Amazonas acquired the broadcaster and began the transition to Rede Boas Novas.
- 1986
Station joins Rede Manchete as RBN
[1]After ending its Globo affiliation, the station adopted the Rede Brasil Norte identity and joined Rede Manchete.
- 1984
Hauache family sells the media operations
[1]Following political tensions connected to the Diretas Já period, TV Ajuricaba and Rádio Ajuricaba were sold to Grupo Simões.
- 1980
Station moves to VHF channel 8
[1]The broadcaster began operating on VHF channel 8, making reception easier for households without UHF-capable equipment.
- 1977
CEGRASA statewide retransmission system created
[1]The station expanded its reach into the interior of Amazonas through a network of retransmitters.
- 1973
Frequency changes to UHF channel 20
[1]TV Ajuricaba moved from channel 38 to channel 20.
Products and positioning
A church-linked religious broadcaster combining local television service in Amazonas with network distribution of evangelical programming.
Free-to-air television station · 1969
Boas Novas Amazonas television service
The station's local broadcast service on channel 8 in Manaus. It is the historic Amazonas operation of the Boas Novas network and combines locally scheduled material with religious programming distributed under the network identity.
Religious television network · 1999
Rede Boas Novas
The national-facing religious television network generated from the Manaus operation after it became independent in 1999. Its programming is primarily evangelical and has been distributed beyond Amazonas through satellite transmission.
Television programming · 1993
Local religious programming
Boas Novas produces and schedules Christian programs directed at the evangelical community, including worship, ministry, church affairs and locally relevant religious content. Earlier examples included Proclamai, Alfa e Ômega and Nos Bastidores da Igreja.
Broadcast distribution · 1977
Statewide retransmission service
The station historically used the CEGRASA retransmitter system to distribute programming to municipalities throughout Amazonas. The system initially relied on physical tape transport before satellite links enabled direct feeds to the interior.
Marketing campaigns
- 1993IEADAM acquisition fundraising
Manaus, Brazil
IEADAM mobilized church members to raise funds for the acquisition of the broadcaster and its sister radio operation, including through personal asset pledges and small commercial activities.
Outcome. The church obtained control in March 1993 and completed the purchase payments in 1995.
- 1983Diretas Já editorial support
Amazonas, Brazil
During the movement for the restoration of direct presidential elections, TV Ajuricaba used its programming to support redemocratization and demonstrations in Amazonas.
Outcome. The station's political position contributed to pressure on the Hauache owners and was followed by the sale of the television and radio operations in 1984.
Brand decisions
2006
Relocation to the Canaã Convention Center complexStrategyBackground
The station had operated from Santo Antônio since its foundation and required updated facilities associated with its expanding religious media activities.
Action taken
Boas Novas moved to a complex attached to the Canaã Convention Center in the Japiim neighborhood of Manaus.
Aftermath
The relocation placed the broadcaster alongside facilities connected with the Boas Novas educational and religious operations.
1999
Conversion into an independent religious network generatorStrategyBackground
The station had expanded its own programming while carrying CNT content and distributing material by satellite.
Action taken
It ended its affiliate-based model and became the independent generator of Rede Boas Novas on September 5.
Aftermath
The Manaus broadcaster became the central origin point for a nationwide evangelical television service.
1993
Acquisition by IEADAMM&ABackground
Grupo Simões put its loss-making media assets up for sale, while IEADAM sought wider means of evangelization.
Action taken
IEADAM acquired the television and radio operations and took control of the station on March 15, 1993.
Aftermath
The station was rebranded Rede Boas Novas and secular programming was progressively replaced by evangelical content.
1986
Change from Globo affiliation to Rede Manchete and RBN brandingStrategyBackground
Rede Globo decided not to renew its affiliation agreement with TV Ajuricaba, creating a need for a new network relationship.
Action taken
The station joined Rede Manchete, adopted the Rede Brasil Norte name and adjusted its local schedule around Manaus's time zone.
Aftermath
RBN remained a secular Manchete affiliate until the end of 1997, despite later ownership changes.
Sources1 sources
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