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193 channels
Brazilian television is a world of its own, and Globo stands at its center. The network’s telenovelas, airing six nights a week at around 21:00, are a national ritual, families pause dinner, social media erupts, and even the president’s schedule bends around the final episode. These are no cheap soaps; production values rival premium cable, with location shoots, A-list actors, and plotlines that tackle everything from class war to climate change. Globo also dominates news with its flagship Jornal Nacional, a polished, straight-ahead bulletin that anchors the 20:00 slot. But Brazil’s TV landscape is far from monolithic. Record TV, SBT, and Band offer competitive entertainment and reality shows, Big Brother Brasil on Globo is a cultural behemoth. Religious channels, mainly from evangelical churches, are a striking feature: they broadcast 24/7 sermons, gospel music, and faith-healing shows, reflecting a major shift in Brazilian media ownership. Dubbing is the norm for imported content on open TV; even Hollywood blockbusters get Portuguese voiceovers. On cable and streaming, subtitles are more common. Football is the undisputed king of live sports, the Brasileirão, Copa Libertadores, and state championships draw massive viewership, with passionate commentary and post-match debates. TV Brasil, the public broadcaster, offers alternative news and cultural programming, but commercial channels dominate. Compared to its Spanish-speaking neighbors, Brazil’s TV stands out for its soap opera intensity, the sheer scale of Globo, and the omnipresence of religious broadcasting, a mix that makes Brazilian live television uniquely compelling.