Channel 9 (Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina)
| Company type | Television broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Predecessor | Comodoro Rivadavia S.C.T.R. |
| Founded | September 21, 1964 in Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina |
| Founder | Comodoro Rivadavia S.C.T.R. |
| Headquarters | Comodoro Rivadavia , Argentina |
Area served | Southern Chubut Province and surrounding areas |
Key people | Daniel Taito (Grupo Azul Media) |
| Products | Television broadcasting, cable TV service |
| Owner | Grupo Azul Media |
Canal 9 de Comodoro Rivadavia, operating under the commercial name AZM TV, is a television broadcaster based in Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. It covers the southern region of Chubut Province and surrounding locations through a network of relay transmitters and is managed by Grupo Azul Media.
History
The National Executive Chamber granted a license on October 10, 1963, to Comodoro Rivadavia S.C.T.R. for operating on VHF channel 9 in Comodoro Rivadavia. The entity was restructured as Comodoro Rivadavia TV S.C.C.T.R. in 1964 and commenced scheduled transmissions on September 21 of the same year, identified as LU 83 TV Canal 9 de Comodoro Rivadavia. The inaugural broadcast featured the Argentine National Anthem followed by an address from President Arturo Umberto Illia. Initially transmitting in black and white, the station transitioned to color broadcasts during the early 1980s, focusing on local political events and cultural programming.
The broadcasting license was renewed on November 12, 1982. In May 1985, Canal 9 distinguished itself as Argentina’s pioneer television station to establish its own cable TV service. On July 30, 1987, COMFER authorized a relay transmitter in Lago Blanco operating on VHF channel 13, which was subsequently reassigned to channel 4 in 1989.
In April 1992, authorization was granted for Salmerón Armando Picón to become part of Comodoro Rivadavia TV S.C.C.T.R., the station’s license holder. Toward the end of 2001, employees of Canal 9 founded Protel Patagónica SRL, a production company providing external services that contributed to the station’s sustainability.
By April 2012, businessman Cristóbal López acquired a 40% interest in Protel Patagónica SRL to incorporate it into his Grupo Indalo conglomerate. He also purchased shares in Radio del Mar (FM 98.7 MHz) and took full ownership of Diario Patagónico, although efforts to acquire Diario Crónica were unsuccessful. The original proprietors—Luis Nicotra, Rubén Nicotra, Daniel Fasciglione, and Belén Sansberro—maintain complete control over Protel Patagónica’s holdings.
In 2014, the company initiated renewal procedures for its broadcasting license according to AFSCA regulations. Regulatory amendments in 2016 restricting third-party service provisions posed significant challenges to the station’s operation; consequently, it entered a creditors’ arrangement in August but succeeded in the bid process by January 2019. Despite financial difficulties, broadcasting persisted with intentions to upgrade to high-definition transmission. The renewed license is valid through 2034.
Since April 2020, under the guidance of Daniel Taito, Grupo Azul Media was established by merging Canal 9 and Protel Patagónica into a single editorial framework emphasizing both regional and national content.
On August 13, 2021, AZM TV began distribution via the ARSAT-1 satellite and adopted the commercial title AZM TV Canal 9 de la Patagonia, while maintaining its original callsign.
The analog broadcast signal ceased on June 29, 2023, alongside other stations in southern Argentina as mandated by ENACOM Decree 156/2022 to finalize the shift to digital transmission.
Programming
The station’s local lineup features news programs such as División Noticias, morning updates Informate, early evening magazine Patagonia en vivo, provincial coverage Chubut hoy, musical show Chamameceros, Sangre nueva, cultural series Historias al sur, and political analysis program Clave política.
División Noticias
División Noticias serves as the primary news program for the station, broadcasting two editions on weekdays at 13:00 and 20:30, along with a single edition on Saturdays at 20:00.
Relayers
Canal 9 maintains six relay transmitters: four situated in the southern region of Chubut Province and two located in the northern part of Santa Cruz Province.
| Chubut Province | |
|---|---|
| Channel | Location |
| 12 | General Mosconi |
| 83 | Las Flores |
| 73 | Pampa del Castillo |
| 13 | Sarmiento |
| Santa Cruz Province | |
|---|---|
| Channel | Location |
| 6 | Cañadón Seco |
| 11 | Pico Truncado |