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61 channels
Costa Rican television, much like the country itself, projects a distinct character within Central America. While commercial giants like Teletica and Repretel dominate primetime, offering a steady diet of local news, entertainment shows, and imported telenovelas, the public broadcaster SINART also plays a role, often with more cultural and educational programming. Telenovelas, primarily dubbed from Mexico or Colombia, are a cultural touchstone, with families gathering nightly for the dramatic arcs. It's rare to find subtitled content on mainstream channels; Spanish dubbing is the norm for almost everything foreign, from cartoons to Hollywood films. Live sports, especially fútbol, commands immense attention. During World Cup qualifiers or local league finales, the entire nation tunes in, making these broadcasts collective experiences that transcend mere viewership. The religious programming category is also quite prominent, reflecting a significant aspect of daily life for many Costa Ricans, with dedicated channels or substantial blocks of airtime on general channels. News broadcasts here tend to be detailed and locally focused, often delivered with a warmth that sometimes feels less adversarial than in some neighboring countries. You'll find a strong emphasis on community stories and national developments rather than a constant barrage of international headlines. It’s a TV culture that values its local flavor while still embracing the popular, often melodramatic, entertainment formats common across Latin America.