Telejornal: A History of Portugal's Longest-Running Newscast
Since its inception, Telejornal has served as a cornerstone of Portuguese broadcasting. As the flagship news program of RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal), it has evolved from a censored state broadcast into a modern news service, adapting its format and delivery to meet the changing needs of the Portuguese public over several decades.
The Origins and Early Years
The roots of the program trace back to February 15, 1957, with the launch of Jornal de Actualidades. By June 1, 1959, RTP merged its existing news offerings under the umbrella title Jornal RTP. This reorganization paved the way for the birth of Telejornal, which officially premiered on October 19, 1959.
In its earliest days, the newscast faced significant hurdles. The initial choice of presenters, Mário Pires and Alberto Lopes, was viewed as flawed by some. Furthermore, the program struggled with frequent technical malfunctions and constant interventions from state censors, who heavily edited the content before it reached the airwaves.
[no image]
Evolution of Scheduling and Format
Telejornal began with two daily editions: a primary half-hour bulletin at 20:30 and a late-night edition that rarely aired after 23:30. As the demand for information grew, the schedule expanded. By 1961, the program increased to three daily editions (6:45 pm, 9:30 pm, and 11:50 pm). Between 1969 and 1974, the service expanded even further on Sundays, offering five separate editions throughout the day.
A significant shift occurred following the 1978 revisions, when the name Telejornal was reserved exclusively for the main evening bulletin, streamlining the brand identity of the network's primary news source.
The Integration of Weather Forecasting
On November 1, 1961, RTP modernized its weather reporting by introducing in-vision forecasts delivered by meteorologists. These reports were moved to follow the main news rather than the late news. While the service began in 1961, the most renowned weatherman in the program's history, Anthímio de Azevedo, did not join the RTP team until 1964.
[no image]
Modernization and Digital Transition
In the 21st century, Telejornal embraced digital transformation. On March 2, 2009, RTP launched "O Meu Telejornal," a video-on-demand service via its website. This innovation allowed viewers to curate their own personalized newscasts by selecting the specific reports they wished to watch.
The program's duration has also fluctuated to align with international standards. On January 14, 2012, the runtime was reduced to 45 minutes to mirror the format of other European news programs. However, this change was temporary, and by 2015, RTP returned the program to a full one-hour duration.
[no image]
Key Facts
- Launch Date: October 19, 1959.
- Predecessor: Jornal de Actualidades (started February 15, 1957).
- Digital Innovation: Launched "O Meu Telejornal" VOD service in 2009.
- Runtime Changes: Reduced to 45 minutes in 2012, then restored to 60 minutes in 2015.
- Legal Incident: In 2014, the program broadcast nearly three minutes of a Lisbon derby match without permission from Benfica TV.
| Year | Event/Change | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Predecessor Launch | Jornal de Actualidades begins broadcasting. |
| 1959 | Official Launch | Telejornal premieres on October 19. |
| 1961 | Expansion | Increased to three daily editions; in-vision weather begins. |
| 1978 | Rebranding | Name used exclusively for the main evening bulletin. |
| 2009 | Digital Shift | Launch of "O Meu Telejornal" VOD service. |
| 2012 | Format Change | Runtime reduced to 45 minutes. |
| 2015 | Format Restoration | Runtime returned to one hour. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Telejornal first start broadcasting?
Telejornal officially began broadcasting on October 19, 1959, following the merger of news programs under the Jornal RTP title.
Who were the first presenters of the program?
The first presenters were Mário Pires and Alberto Lopes, though the network's choice was considered flawed at the time.
How has the length of the program changed over time?
While it has traditionally been an hour, it was reduced to 45 minutes in January 2012 to match European counterparts before returning to a 60-minute format in 2015.
What is "O Meu Telejornal"?
Launched in 2009, it is a video-on-demand service on the RTP website that allows viewers to create their own customized newscasts.
Did the program ever face censorship?
Yes, in its early years, the newscast suffered from constant cuts imposed by censors.