CNT Rio de Janeiro
A Central Nacional de Televisão-owned television station serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
CNT Rio de Janeiro is a Brazilian television station licensed to serve the city and metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. It is part of Central Nacional de Televisão, generally known as CNT, and operates as the network's Rio de Janeiro outlet. The station's studios are in the São Cristóvão neighborhood, while its transmission facilities are located on Morro do Sumaré in Rio Comprido. The station's history is tied to the long and complicated use of VHF channel 9 in Rio de Janeiro. The frequency was originally occupied by TV Continental, which operated from 1959 until financial difficulties led it to go off the air in 1971. The concession was revoked in 1972. Afterward, the station's transmission infrastructure was acquired by Silvio Santos, who used it in connection with his early television operations. In the following years, the channel was associated with several proposed ownership and network projects before being granted to interests connected to Santos in the early 1980s. In 1982, the Rio concession was used to launch TV Record Rio de Janeiro, linked to TV Record in São Paulo. The station was built through the renovation of the former Cinema Fluminense in São Cristóvão, with an auditorium and a large production stage. Its initial schedule combined cartoons, films, locally produced entertainment and music programs with programming relayed from São Paulo. Local attractions included Noites Cariocas, which presented live performances and music from venues such as the Marina Palace Hotel. By the end of 1982, the station had reached third place in Rio's audience rankings according to the contemporary IBOPE measurements cited in reference material. The station changed identity several times. In 1987 it became TV Copacabana and soon afterward TV Corcovado. Under the latter name, it developed locally produced programming and carried a broad range of independent shows. It also entered a three-year arrangement with Grupo Abril to relay MTV Brasil beginning in October 1990, becoming the music network's first affiliate. The affiliation gave the station a prominent role in MTV Brasil's launch in Rio, although technical problems affected the opening transmission. In 1992, MTV Brasil moved to a UHF outlet, allowing TV Corcovado to join the emerging Rede OM Brasil network. In 1991, TV Corcovado was sold to José Carlos Martinez, owner of the Paraná-based Rede OM group. Rede OM was later renamed Central Nacional de Televisão in 1993, following financial and structural difficulties and corruption-related controversy surrounding the wider group. The Rio station consequently adopted the CNT Rio de Janeiro identity. Its schedule subsequently mixed national CNT programming, local news and sports, independent productions, religious programming and leased airtime. Local sports became one of the station's recurring programming areas. Mesa Redonda Rio, hosted by José Carlos Araújo, ran from 1993 to 2007 and was later succeeded by Balanço Esportivo Rio, presented by Edilson Silva, which remained on the schedule from 2008 to 2015. Other notable local productions included Samba de Primeira, hosted by Jorge Perlingeiro, and programs presented by Wagner Montes during his 1997–2003 period at the station. In later years, a substantial portion of the schedule was occupied by national CNT content and religious or independently produced programs. In 2024, the station's locally identified programming included Fala Baixada, presented by Mauro Vasconcelos, and Jogo do Poder, presented by Ricardo Bruno. CNT Rio de Janeiro began testing its digital transmission in 2011 on UHF channel 27. It ended analog VHF channel 9 transmissions on November 22, 2017, as part of Brazil's federally coordinated transition to digital television. The station remains a Rio de Janeiro broadcaster within the CNT network, with its role centered on carrying network programming while maintaining selected local, sports, news and independently produced content.
History
The current CNT Rio de Janeiro station developed from the succession of broadcasters that occupied Rio de Janeiro's VHF channel 9. TV Continental used the frequency from 1959 to 1971, but financial problems eventually forced it off the air. The Brazilian government revoked its concession in 1972, after which the station's transmitter, tower and antenna were sold at auction. Silvio Santos acquired the equipment and incorporated it into his early broadcasting operations. In 1973, the channel 9 concession was granted to Jornal do Brasil, which intended to build a national television structure using concessions in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Delays prevented the project from launching, and the concessions were returned to the government in 1978. A new public tender followed in 1980 after several Rede Tupi concessions were revoked. Silvio Santos obtained concessions in São Paulo, Belém and Porto Alegre for the television system that became SBT, but the Rio channel 9 concession did not enter SBT. Because Brazilian rules restricted the number of concessions one person could hold in the same city, Guilherme Stoliar became the formal concession holder while Santos exercised operational influence. The resulting station launched in 1982 as TV Record Rio de Janeiro, associated with TV Record in São Paulo. The former Cinema Fluminense in Campo de São Cristóvão was renovated as its production center, including an auditorium and a 320-square-meter stage. The launch was delayed from the planned midday opening to the evening because a component manufactured in the United States had not arrived. The first locally identified broadcast was a football match between Fluminense and Grêmio. During its first period, the station aired cartoons, feature films, local shows and music performances, including Noites Cariocas, while also relaying productions from São Paulo. It reportedly reached third place in Rio's audience rankings by the end of 1982. In 1987, the station changed its name first to TV Copacabana and then to TV Corcovado. Its schedule relied heavily on independent productions, including Rio Turismo, a tourism program produced in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The station also participated with TVE in a transmission arrangement for the 1987 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. In 1989, it began relaying selected TV Record programs in an effort to improve audience competitiveness. TV Corcovado signed an agreement with Grupo Abril in 1990 to relay MTV Brasil. The affiliation began at the new network's October 20 launch and made the station its first Rio affiliate. A brief audio failure affected the opening music-video transmission, but normal audio was restored shortly afterward. In 1991, businessman and politician José Carlos Martinez acquired TV Corcovado through interests connected with Rede OM. MTV Brasil subsequently moved to a separate UHF channel in Rio, and TV Corcovado joined Rede OM Brasil in March 1992. The broader Rede OM group faced financial and structural problems as well as allegations connected to the political corruption scandal associated with Paulo César Farias. In 1993, Rede OM Brasil was renamed Central Nacional de Televisão, or CNT, and the Rio station became CNT Rio de Janeiro. Its later schedule combined national network output with local sports, public-affairs and entertainment programs, religious content and leased independent productions. Mesa Redonda Rio, hosted by José Carlos Araújo, was a prominent local sports program from 1993 to 2007. Balanço Esportivo Rio followed from 2008 to 2015. Samba de Primeira, hosted by Jorge Perlingeiro, also remained associated with the station until 2015. Wagner Montes presented several programs on the channel between 1997 and 2003, including 190 Urgente, Na Boca do Povo, Em Cima do Fato, Programa Wagner Montes and Novos Talentos. In the late 2000s, as with CNT more broadly, portions of local airtime were leased to religious productions. The station began digital signal testing on UHF channel 27 in 2011. It ceased analog VHF channel 9 broadcasting on November 22, 2017, under Brazil's national digital transition plan. In 2024, its locally listed programming included Fala Baixada and Jogo do Poder alongside CNT's national schedule.
- 2017
Analog broadcasting ends
[1]The station ends analog VHF channel 9 transmission during Brazil's digital switchover.
- 2011
Digital signal testing starts
[1]The station tests digital transmission on UHF channel 27.
- 1993
Station becomes CNT Rio de Janeiro
[1]Rede OM Brasil is renamed Central Nacional de Televisão and the Rio station adopts the CNT name.
- 1992
Affiliation with Rede OM Brasil
[1]TV Corcovado joins Rede OM Brasil after MTV Brasil moves to another Rio frequency.
- 1990
MTV Brasil affiliation begins
[1]TV Corcovado starts relaying MTV Brasil at the network's launch.
- 1987
TV Corcovado identity adopted
[1]Following a short-lived TV Copacabana name, the station becomes TV Corcovado.
- 1982
TV Record Rio de Janeiro launches
[1]The channel begins operations as a Rio outlet associated with TV Record in São Paulo.
- 1971
TV Continental goes off the air
[1]Financial difficulties contribute to TV Continental's shutdown.
- 1959
TV Continental begins using channel 9
[1]VHF channel 9 in Rio de Janeiro is occupied by TV Continental.
Products and positioning
A regional broadcast outlet combining CNT network programming with locally produced news, public-affairs, sports and independently produced television content for Rio de Janeiro.
Television broadcasting · 1982
CNT Rio de Janeiro terrestrial television service
The station's core offering is a terrestrial television service licensed for Rio de Janeiro. It carries CNT's national schedule while reserving capacity for local news, sports, public-affairs, entertainment and independently produced programs. The service originally used VHF channel 9 and later transitioned to digital UHF transmission as Brazil implemented its nationwide digital television plan.
Sports television · 1993
Local sports programming
Local sports has been a recurring programming category. Mesa Redonda Rio, hosted by José Carlos Araújo, ran from 1993 to 2007, followed by Balanço Esportivo Rio with Edilson Silva from 2008 to 2015. These programs gave the station a Rio-focused sports presence within a schedule otherwise containing national and externally produced programming.
Local news and public affairs
Fala Baixada
Fala Baixada is a locally identified program carried by CNT Rio de Janeiro in 2024. The program is presented by Mauro Vasconcelos and forms part of the station's contemporary Rio-oriented schedule alongside CNT national programming.
Public affairs
Jogo do Poder
Jogo do Poder is a public-affairs program listed among CNT Rio de Janeiro's 2024 local offerings. It is presented by Ricardo Bruno and complements the station's broader mix of national programming and locally relevant discussion content.
Controversies
1992
Rede OM acquisition allegations
During testimony to a Brazilian Chamber of Deputies committee, José Carlos Martinez discussed an alleged request for funds from Paulo César Farias in connection with the acquisition of TV Corcovado and its integration into Rede OM. The allegations concerned the wider ownership group and related legal proceedings, rather than a finding that the station itself committed an offense.
Brand decisions
2011
Begin digital transmission testingGeneration changeBackground
Brazil was implementing a federally coordinated transition from analog to digital television.
Action taken
CNT Rio de Janeiro began testing a digital signal on UHF channel 27.
Aftermath
The station later discontinued its analog VHF channel 9 signal in 2017.
1992
Join Rede OM BrasilStrategyBackground
After the MTV Brasil signal moved to UHF channel 24, TV Corcovado had an available role within a planned national network.
Action taken
The station joined Rede OM Brasil in March 1992.
Aftermath
Rede OM Brasil was renamed CNT in 1993, creating the station's current network identity.
1990
Affiliate with MTV BrasilStrategyBackground
Grupo Abril was preparing the launch of MTV Brasil and sought distribution through local television outlets.
Action taken
TV Corcovado signed a three-year arrangement to relay MTV Brasil and invested in stereo transmission equipment.
Aftermath
The affiliation began with MTV Brasil's October 1990 launch and ended after MTV moved to a separate UHF channel in Rio in 1992.
1987
Rebrand as TV CorcovadoStrategyBackground
The station had operated under the TV Record Rio de Janeiro identity and briefly used the TV Copacabana name.
Action taken
It adopted the TV Corcovado name in June 1987.
Aftermath
The TV Corcovado identity remained in use until the station joined the CNT structure in 1993.
Recent events
- 2017
Analog channel 9 transmission ends[1]
Regulation · Product generation
The station discontinued its analog VHF channel 9 signal in accordance with Brazil's national digital television transition schedule.
- 2011
Digital transmission testing begins[1]
Product generation
CNT Rio de Janeiro began testing a digital terrestrial signal on UHF channel 27.
- 1993
Rede OM Brasil becomes CNT[1]
Leadership change · Other
Rede OM Brasil was renamed Central Nacional de Televisão, and the Rio station adopted the CNT Rio de Janeiro identity.
- 1992
TV Corcovado joins Rede OM Brasil[1]
Other
After MTV Brasil moved to a separate UHF channel in Rio, TV Corcovado joined Rede OM Brasil as the network expanded its national footprint.
- 1990
TV Corcovado becomes an MTV Brasil affiliate[1]
M&A · Other
A three-year agreement with Grupo Abril made TV Corcovado the first affiliate to relay MTV Brasil, beginning with the network's launch in October 1990.
- 1987
Station adopts the TV Corcovado identity[1]
Other
After briefly using the TV Copacabana name, the station became TV Corcovado and expanded its focus on locally produced and independent programming.
- 1982
TV Record Rio de Janeiro begins broadcasting[1]
Other
The Rio de Janeiro channel 9 concession was used to launch TV Record Rio de Janeiro, with studios established in the renovated Cinema Fluminense building in São Cristóvão.
Sources1 sources
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