Channel 7 (Rawson, Argentina)

Canal 7 Rawson

Company type	Public broadcaster
Industry	Television broadcasting
Founded	September 15, 1975 (1975-09-15)
Headquarters	Rawson , Argentina
Area served	Chubut Province
Products	Television programming, relay broadcasting
Owner	Provincial government of Chubut

Canal 7 Rawson is a television broadcaster based in Rawson, Chubut Province, Argentina. Managed by the provincial government, it operates through a series of relay transmitters.

History

The National Executive Chamber granted a license for VHF channel 7 to Rawson on March 24, 1970. The station officially commenced regular transmissions on September 15, 1975, coinciding with the 110th anniversary of the city.

In 1986, COMFER authorized the provincial authorities to establish relay stations in Corcovado (channel 13), Colan Conhué (channel 13), and Lagunita Salada (channel 10). A decree issued in 1990 sanctioned the creation of an over-the-air provincial network for Canal 7.

During the 2000s, further relay stations were approved in multiple locations utilizing channels 4, 7, and 13 to enhance broadcast reach. The channel earned acclaim in 2011 when its documentary Malvinas, en el corazón de Chubut received the "Lanín de Oro" award for best testimonial documentary.

That same year, Canal 7 was assigned UHF channel 29 to initiate digital transmissions. Under Governor Martín Buzzi’s administration in 2012, the station underwent a rebranding and revamped its programming to incorporate increased original productions and nationwide relays. Additionally, it became the first broadcaster in Argentine Patagonia to air a morning show in high definition with Mañana Express.

By November 2015, Canal 7 started trial broadcasts on the TDA platform (channel 27.1), with intentions to produce HD content and establish new studio facilities in Rawson. The installation of a transmitter on Cerro Chenque significantly expanded coverage to southern areas of Chubut, including Comodoro Rivadavia.

In 2016, despite legislative efforts to secure a programming slot on Canal 7, Governor Mario Das Neves vetoed the proposal due to concerns over production expenses and scheduling conflicts. In May of that year, the station relaunched its lineup from its historic transmitter complemented by updated studio infrastructure.

August 2016 marked Canal 7’s participation in forming the "Red Patagónica de la Televisión Pública," alongside other public broadcasters in Patagonia, providing regional news focused on politics, economy, sports, culture, and tourism.

On June 29, 2023, Canal 7 discontinued analog broadcasts pursuant to ENACOM Decree nº. 156/2022 as part of Patagonia’s transition toward digital television.

Programming

The channel’s lineup features retransmissions of public content channels Encuentro and Pakapaka. Until late 2011, it also aired programs from commercial networks—primarily El Trece—ceasing which resulted in savings of AR$1.5 million.

Locally produced shows include Informativo 7 (news), Media mañana (morning magazine), and Platos al aire (culinary program).

Informativo 7

Informativo 7 serves as the station’s primary news broadcast focusing on Chubut Province, airing two editions on weekdays at 12:30 and 20:00. Initially launched as Chubut al día, it was renamed Informativo 7 in April 2013, changed to 7 Noticias in June 2016, then to Noticiero 7 in January 2019. Following a branding update in June 2024, it returned to the name Informativo 7.

Since September 2016, Canal 7 has also aired Resumen Patagónico de Noticias, a weekly news summary produced collaboratively within the Red Patagónica de la Televisión Pública network.

Relayers

Canal 7 maintains a network of 62 relay stations distributed throughout Chubut Province. These relay points capture the broadcast signal, which is then sent from the station's teleport facility to the ARSAT-1 satellite for distribution.