Channel 13 (Río Grande, Argentina)
| Company type | Government-owned |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | October 24, 1967 |
| Headquarters | Río Grande , Argentina |
Area served | Tierra del Fuego Province |
| Products | Terrestrial television broadcasting |
| Owner | Provincial government of Tierra del Fuego |
Canal 13 Río Grande, frequently referred to as El Canal del Onita, is a terrestrial television broadcaster based in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, and is managed by the provincial government.
History
Regular transmissions commenced on October 24, 1967, under the call sign LU 88 TV Canal 13 de Río Grande. At that time, the population of Río Grande was approximately 4,000 residents, and the majority of its content was obtained from Canal 13 Buenos Aires. The station’s emblem, the "Onita," served as a representation of both the province and the Selkʼnam people.
In the late 1960s, during the administration of Rear Admiral José María Guzmán who governed the territory, Canal 13 introduced its news program Teletrece Noticias in 1968. This weekly broadcast included national and international news segments sourced from Canal 9 Buenos Aires. That same year, the National Executive Chamber granted authorization for the territorial government to operate on channel 13 in Río Grande.
The channel received its inaugural national accolade in 1971 with the Cruz de Plata Esquiú Award. By 1984, permission was granted to establish a relay transmitter in Tolhuin operating on VHF channel 9. In 1991, Canal 13 incorporated programming from Telefe into its schedule.
Among its distinguished recognitions are the Premio Broadcasting awarded for the children's program Chechelandia and a nomination for a Martín Fierro Award in 1995 for its news show Actualidad fueguina. Beginning in 2004, Canal 13 embarked on a gradual modernization process by upgrading to digital broadcast equipment.
The station enhanced its live production capabilities by acquiring OB vans equipped with local and satellite transmission links. In 2005, it executed its first international outside broadcast from Porvenir, Chile, covering the Gran Premio de la Hermandad event.
After prolonged periods of underinvestment, staff members reported operational deterioration by 2011. That year, AFSCA assigned digital UHF channel 29 to Canal 11. In December 2013, Canal 13 lost the rights to retransmit Telefe content due to outstanding debts surpassing one million Argentine pesos.
In October 2014, Senator Rosana Bertone declared that Canal 13’s program Tierra de Fueguitos was of public interest. By August 2016, Canal 13 partnered with regional broadcasters to establish the Red Patagónica de la Televisión Pública, aimed at improving access to Patagonian news related to politics, economics, sports, culture, and tourism.
Digital transmissions began through TDF Canal 11’s signal, and on August 22, 2018, high-definition broadcasts were launched nationwide via the Arsat-1 satellite.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, operations were temporarily halted after a staff member tested positive for the virus.
Cameraman José Mansilla passed away in March 2023; a commemorative mural honoring him was unveiled at Canal 13’s premises in December 2024.