SIC Notícias: Portugal's Leading Cable News Network
SIC Notícias is a prominent cable news channel based in Portugal, serving as the second thematic channel of the Sociedade Independente de Comunicação (SIC) network. Designed specifically for cable and satellite distribution, the channel provides comprehensive, rolling news coverage and specialized information programming to a global audience.
The channel's origins date back to September 15, 1999, when it launched as CNL (Canal de Notícias de Lisboa), an independent news channel for the Lisbon region owned by TV Cabo. Following the failure of the CNL experiment, the channel was relaunched as SIC Notícias on January 8, 2001, as a strategic move to attract more subscribers to TV Cabo by providing a stronger, more reliable news source.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Owner: Impresa.
- Headquarters: Paço de Arcos, Oeiras (moved to the São Francisco de Sales Building in 2019).
- Broadcast Reach: Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Canada, and the United States.
- Format: Available in 576i (16:9 SDTV) and 1080i (HDTV).
- Ownership History: Originally a joint venture between SIC (60%) and TV Cabo (40%) until SIC acquired ZON's shares in February 2009.
Programming and Content
The programming of SIC Notícias is almost entirely dedicated to information and news. While rolling-news blocks form the core of its schedule, the channel also produces thematic programs focusing on the economy, health, the automobile industry, advertising, sports, and show business.
Daily News Schedule
The channel maintains a rigorous schedule of news bulletins throughout the day to keep viewers informed in real-time:
- Primetime: Jornal das Nove (9-10 p.m.), hosted by Mário Crespo.
- Morning/Midday: Edição da Manhã (6-9:45 a.m.), Jornal das 10 (10-11 a.m.), and Jornal do Meio-Dia (12-1 p.m.).
- Afternoon/Evening: Jornal das 2 (2-3 p.m.), Edição da Tarde (3-3:30 p.m. & 5-7 p.m.), Jornal das 7 (7-9 p.m.), and Jornal da Noite (8-9 p.m.).
- Late Night: Jornal de Meia-Noite (12-1 a.m.).
- Continuous: Jornal de Sintese airs throughout the day.
Specialized and Opinion Programming
Beyond standard reporting, the channel features high-profile opinion programs such as Quadratura do Círculo, Expresso da Meia-Noite, and Eixo do Mal. International affairs are analyzed in Sociedade das Nações, hosted by Martim Cabral and Nuno Rogeiro. Additionally, Opinião Pública allows viewers to participate in discussions regarding top national stories. Sports updates are provided via Jornal de Desporto at 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Global Reach and Digital Presence
SIC Notícias has expanded its footprint far beyond Portugal. Since late 2003, it has been available in Angola and Mozambique. In North America, the channel is accessible via Dish Network in the United States and launched on Bell Fibe TV in Canada in March 2013.
To complement its broadcast services, the channel operates a website and a mobile application. Developed in partnership with the Portuguese company Magycal, the app offers live content, video on demand, and personalized notifications to integrate multimedia distribution for its users.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | September 15, 1999 (as CNL); January 8, 2001 (as SIC Notícias) |
| Parent Company | Impresa |
| Sister Channels | SIC, SIC Radical, SIC Mulher, SIC K, SIC Caras, SIC Novelas, SIC Internacional, SIC Internacional África |
| Primary Format | 576i (SDTV) / 1080i (HDTV) |
| Key Program | Jornal das Nove |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SIC Notícias?
SIC Notícias is a Portuguese cable and satellite news channel owned by Impresa and part of the SIC television network.
When did the channel start broadcasting?
It originally launched as CNL on September 15, 1999, and was later relaunched as SIC Notícias on January 8, 2001.
Where can I watch SIC Notícias outside of Portugal?
The channel is available in Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Canada (via Bell Fibe TV), and the United States (via Dish Network).
Who hosts the primetime news program?
The primetime program, Jornal das Nove, which airs from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., is hosted by Mário Crespo.
What digital services does the channel offer?
SIC Notícias provides a dedicated website and a mobile application developed with Magycal, featuring live news, video on demand, and personalized notifications.