In 15^th December of 1955, the government decided to form the first national TV.

Portuguese television has started the primary emissions with RTP (Radiotelevisão Portuguesa) but the curtain was only raised in 4^th September of 1956. The emissions were barely captured by the metropolitan Lisbon area but, three months later, it could be seen also in Porto. After that, it would be transmitting the arrived of NASA astronauts on the moon.

The second national channel knew by “RTP2”, was “born” in 25^th December of 1968. Most recently, it was replaced by “Dois” in 5^th January of 2004 with the support of RTP and the civil society. The objective is to defend culture and Portuguese language.

SIC (Sociedade Independente de Comunicação), the first private channel, had started to discharge the emissions about fourteen years ago, in 6^th October of 1992. Property of Francisco Pinto Balsemão, his production line was especially based on show business but soon, he understands the indispensability of information programs. It was the beginning of the rating war.

The next private channel, by the name of TVI (Televisão Independente), had made the initial transmissions in 20^th February of 1993. Owned by Igreja Católica, it faced some serious problems to subsist. In 2000, José Eduardo Moniz became responsible for change this situation and quickly sured the ratings podium to TVI.