Cameroon Radio Television
Corporate brand
UnclaimedCameroon's government-controlled national radio and television broadcaster.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Cameroon Radio Television, commonly known as CRTV, is Cameroon's government-controlled national radio and television broadcaster. It operates as the country's principal public audiovisual service, combining nationwide radio coverage with television channels and a network of regional and local stations. Its programming is predominantly in French, reflecting the country's largest official-language audience, while English-language programming serves Cameroon's bilingual constitutional and cultural environment. CRTV's institutional origins lie in the development of public radio during the colonial period. Broadcasting began in 1940 with Radio Douala, a small station established under the French administration. Radio Cameroon was formally created in 1955, and additional stations were progressively opened in Yaoundé and other regions. After independence, broadcasting administration was transferred to the Cameroonian state. The radio network expanded with stations in Buea, Bertoua, Bafoussam, Bamenda, Ngaoundéré, Ebolowa and Maroua, among other locations. Television was developed later. Preparatory work began in the 1970s, followed by infrastructure and production contracts in the early 1980s. Experimental television images were transmitted in March 1985, including coverage from Bamenda and footage of Pope John Paul II's visit to Cameroon. Regular television broadcasting began on 23 December 1985. Cameroon Television, or CTV, was formally established in April 1986 as the national television office. The decisive institutional change came in December 1987, when the radio and television administrations were consolidated through legislation establishing the Cameroonian Broadcasting and Television Office. The organization and operating framework were formalized by decree in January 1988, giving rise to the CRTV identity used today. The merger made CRTV the principal integrated public broadcaster for both sound and television services. CRTV's radio operations include a national service, ten regional stations and several local or thematic FM outlets. Its television portfolio has expanded beyond the main channel. CRTV News was created in 2018, and CRTV Sports & Entertainment was launched in 2019. Across its services, CRTV produces news, current-affairs analysis, documentaries, magazine programs and other locally produced content, while also broadcasting imported programming, including series from Asia and Brazil. The broadcaster has also served as a platform for major national events and public communications. Its nationwide infrastructure gives it reach across all ten regions of Cameroon, although its role as a state-controlled broadcaster places it within the country's politically managed media environment. In 2016, Charles Ndongo was appointed general manager by presidential decree, succeeding Amadou Vamoulké during a period associated with preparations for Cameroon's transition toward digital television. CRTV remains an active national broadcaster and a central institution in Cameroon's media system.
History
Cameroon's public broadcasting history began in 1940, when the French administration established Radio Douala. The station, also known as the “Child of War,” initially used a low-power transmitter and served a propaganda function connected with Free France. Its transmission capacity was increased in 1950. In the mid-1950s, responsibility for broadcasting was associated with SORAFOM, an organization intended in part to encourage programming produced by local populations. Radio Cameroon was formally established in July 1955, while Radio Yaoundé was created the same year and Radio Garoua followed in 1958. The radio network expanded around independence. A mobile transmitter operated in Buea between 1959 and 1961, and stations were subsequently developed in Buea, Bertoua, Bafoussam, Bamenda, Ngaoundéré, Ebolowa and Maroua. In 1962, SORAFOM became the Office of Radiophonic Cooperation, or OCORA. The Cameroonian government assumed control of broadcasting in 1963, after which the service was administered from Yaoundé as a national radio directorate within the Ministry of Information and Culture. Television emerged through a separate development program. The Cameroonian government began studying an audiovisual mass-education system in 1974. Technical studies were completed in 1975, and international tenders were issued the following year. Equipment, transmission and production contracts were awarded to consortiums in 1982, with construction and implementation beginning later that year and in early 1983. A presidentially supervised television coordination unit was created by decree in May 1984. Experimental television transmission began on 20 March 1985 in Bamenda during the congress that transformed the Cameroonian National Union into the Democratic Rally of the Cameroonian People. The experimental period also included coverage of Pope John Paul II's first visit to Cameroon. Regular television service began on 23 December 1985 at 6 p.m. on channel 5, using a 10-kilowatt transmitter. Cameroon Television was legally created on 26 April 1986 through an ordinance, with a further decree defining its organization and operation. The radio and television administrations were unified in December 1987. Laws establishing the audiovisual-communication framework and creating the Cameroonian Broadcasting and Television Office provided the legal basis for the CRTV organization. A January 1988 decree then specified its structure and functioning. CRTV consequently became the integrated public broadcaster responsible for both national radio and television. During the following decades, CRTV maintained a nationwide radio network and expanded its television offer. Its radio services came to include a national channel, ten regional stations and several local FM outlets, including stations serving Yaoundé, Kousseri, Yagoua, the Mount Cameroon area and other local audiences. Television remained centered on the main channel while later additions broadened the service's thematic range. CRTV News was created in January 2018, followed by CRTV Sports & Entertainment in June 2019. The organization has been led by a succession of directors-general appointed within the state broadcasting system. Florent Etoga Eily held the position briefly in 1988, followed by Gervais Mendo Ze until 2005 and Amadou Vamoulké until 2016. Charles Ndongo was appointed on 29 June 2016. His appointment occurred as Cameroon was approaching the migration toward digital television. CRTV continues to operate as a major national broadcaster, combining French-dominant programming with English-language output and carrying news, analysis, documentaries, magazines, sports, entertainment and imported series.
- 2019
CRTV Sports & Entertainment launched
[1]A thematic channel focused on sports and entertainment joined the CRTV television portfolio.
- 2018
CRTV News created
[1]CRTV expanded its television portfolio with a dedicated news channel.
- 1988
CRTV organization formalized
[1]A decree formalized the structure and operation of the Cameroonian Broadcasting and Television Office.
- 1987
Radio and television services consolidated
[1]Legislation established the framework for merging the radio and television administrations into a single public broadcasting office.
- 1986
Cameroon Television created
[1]An ordinance formally created Cameroon Television as the national television office.
- 1985
Experimental television transmission begins
[1]The first experimental television images were broadcast from Bamenda on 20 March 1985.
- 1985
Regular television service starts
[1]Regular television broadcasting began on 23 December 1985 on channel 5.
- 1974
Audiovisual television project begins
[1]The government initiated studies for an audiovisual mass-education and television system.
- 1963
Cameroonian government assumes broadcasting control
[1]After independence, the Cameroonian state took over broadcasting administration and managed it from Yaoundé.
- 1955
Radio Cameroon formally established
[1]Radio Cameroon was officially created as the public radio service expanded beyond the original Douala operation.
Products and positioning
National public-service and state-controlled broadcasting platform serving Cameroon through television, radio, news, cultural programming and regional coverage.
Radio broadcasting · 1955
CRTV National Radio
The national radio service is the core of CRTV's audio operation. It carries news, public-affairs coverage, cultural programming, analysis and other nationally distributed content, with French as the principal language and some English-language programming. It is supported by a network of regional and local stations that extend public broadcasting into Cameroon's different administrative and linguistic areas.
Television broadcasting · 1985
CRTV Main Television Channel
CRTV's principal television service provides national news, current-affairs programs, documentaries, magazines, locally produced programming, sports and entertainment. It developed from the Cameroon Television service whose regular broadcasts began in December 1985. The channel remains the central television outlet in CRTV's integrated national broadcasting system.
News television · 2018
CRTV News
CRTV News is a dedicated news-oriented television service created as part of CRTV's expansion into thematic channels. It concentrates the broadcaster's information output and provides a distinct platform for news and related current-affairs programming.
Sports and entertainment television · 2019
CRTV Sports & Entertainment
CRTV Sports & Entertainment is a thematic television channel launched to give sports and entertainment programming a dedicated outlet within the public broadcaster's portfolio. Its creation broadened CRTV's channel mix beyond the general-interest service and news programming.
Regional and local radio
CRTV Regional and Local Radio Network
CRTV operates ten regional radio stations covering Adamaoua, Centre, East, Far North, Littoral, North, North-West, West, South and South-West. It also operates local or thematic FM services including CRTV Wave FM, Kousseri FM, Yagoua FM, Yaoundé FM94, Mount Cameroon FM, Suelaba FM and Poala FM.
Brand decisions
2019
Launch of CRTV Sports & EntertainmentProduct launchBackground
Following the creation of CRTV News, the broadcaster continued to develop thematic television services.
Action taken
CRTV launched CRTV Sports & Entertainment as a dedicated thematic channel.
Aftermath
The channel expanded CRTV's television portfolio into a more specialized sports and entertainment offer.
2019
Resolution of Africa Cup of Nations broadcasting-fee disputeOtherBackground
CRTV and the African Union of Broadcasting disputed fees connected with broadcasting the Africa Cup of Nations in Yaoundé.
Action taken
The parties reached a settlement over the broadcasting-fee issue.
Aftermath
The settlement resolved the reported dispute and allowed the broadcasting relationship concerning the tournament to proceed.
2018
Launch of CRTV NewsProduct launchBackground
CRTV was expanding its television offer beyond its general-interest national channel.
Action taken
The broadcaster created CRTV News as a dedicated news channel.
Aftermath
The launch gave CRTV a separate television outlet for news and information programming.
1987
Consolidation of radio and television operationsStrategyBackground
Cameroon had developed separate public radio and television administrations, and legislation in December 1987 established the framework for an integrated audiovisual broadcaster.
Action taken
The state consolidated the radio and television services into the Cameroonian Broadcasting and Television Office, later identified as CRTV.
Aftermath
The merger created a unified national organization responsible for Cameroon's principal public radio and television services.
Sources1 sources
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