| RTS | |
| Country: | Ecuador |
| Headquarters: | Guayaquil |
| Picture Format: | 1080i HDTV |
| Owner: | Albavisión (Telecuatro Guayaquil C.A.) |
| Terr Serv 1: | Digital VHF |
| Terr Chan 1: | Channel 4.1/4.2 (Guayaquil) |
RedTeleSistema (RTS), is a private television station in Ecuador. The channel is owned by Albavisión. The channel is the oldest television station to operate in Ecuador since its inception; HCJB-TV signed on in Quito in 1959 but shut down in 1972.
What is now RTS was the first television station in Guayaquil. In 1959, José Rosenbaum bought some equipment from his native Germany. After a few experiments the station signed on for the first time on December 12, 1960, running from 5pm to 10pm every evening.[1] Rosenbaum cleared channel 4 in Guayaquil; in Quito, he planned to clear channel 11, 12 or 13.[2]
The station was operated by Organizaciones Norlop, who signed an agreement with the American network ABC, who owned one third of the shares. The new company also set up channel 6 in Quito, and the holding company was later renamed Telecuador. The station in Quito signed on in 1962.[3] At launch, its affiliate in Quito used the American method to organize its staff. Equipment came from German, French, Italian and American companies.[4]
Its first newscast was aired at 9pm, for 10 minutes. Much of the filmed output, including successful American imports, was provided by ABC.[4]
In early 1970, ABC left Telecuador's operational structure. Its shares were divided between Genaro Parker from Guayaquil and Palm de TV from Panama. That same year, a microwave link was set up between the stations in Quito and Guayaquil. When Teleamazonas started broadcasting in color, the Telecuador staff went on strike due to the disadvantages caused by the new station, leading to the shutdown of the company. Following the strike, Telecuador was sold off and the Quito station was renamed Telecuatro.[3] Telecuatro eventually shut down in 1979; its former sister operation in Quito resumed in 1976 with its old black-and-white equipment. Noboa bought the former Telecuatro shortly afterwards and renamed it Telecuatro Guayaquil.[4]
Paola Cabezas presented the morning show El Club de la Mañana between 2007 and 2009.[5]