Last Thursday, Cuban Television revealed plans to once again broadcast the Brazilian series "Most Beautiful Thing" on Cubavisión, touting it as one of the most refined and heartfelt Brazilian productions in recent years. However, they neglected to address how viewers might actually manage to watch it amidst ongoing power outages.
The television network's website exuberantly announced the series' return, stating it will air in the telenovela slot for four weeks, aiming to reconnect with audiences through a timeless story. What they left out is that the series was previously shown in 2020 on the HD channel, and viewers vividly recall watching it multiple times since then.
The Social Media Backlash
The announcement was met with swift and scathing responses across social media. Cubans expressed a mix of sarcasm, resignation, and outrage that paints a more vivid picture of life under frequent blackouts than any statistic could. "I watch a telenovela called 'Darkest Thing' every day," quipped one commenter on Cubadebate's Facebook post. Another was more blunt: "Third time airing it. How long will this go on? It's ridiculous." A third observer summed up the irony: "That story couldn't unfold in Cuba, blackout after blackout."
A Glimpse into Daily Life
One user shared a lengthy comment, humorously yet despairingly describing her family's situation, likening it to a return to indigenous times: "Really? And who is this telenovela slot for, when for two years it's been impossible to enjoy? [...] In my tribe, my family has renamed everyone. There are five of us: Yara, Hatuey, Garina, Guamito, and Cayusin. TV? We never have electricity in my hut. Ah, yes, the sunlight."
Power Crisis Highlights
The irony is underscored by a stark reality. On the same day Cubavisión premiered the series, April 2, Cuba's electrical generation deficit reached 1,555 MW, with blackouts lasting up to 24 hours in various provinces. The next day, a nighttime peak shortage of 1,585 MW was expected, with only 1,445 MW available against a demand of 3,000 MW.
This crisis is neither new nor temporary. Back in March 2026, the National Electrical System collapsed twice within a week: on March 16 for 29 hours and 29 minutes, and another widespread blackout occurred on March 22. That month, outages peaked at 2,040 MW. In some provinces, power cuts exceed twenty hours daily; in isolated communities, even longer.
Prevailing Challenges and Adaptations
Given this scenario, one internet user's question is entirely justified: "And who can watch it??? We're always in the dark. I don't understand who they're broadcasting for. They should reconsider and save resources by halting broadcasts during times when almost the entire country can't watch."
This isn't the first attempt by Cuban television to cope with the energy crisis through makeshift solutions. In October 2024, Cubavisión announced reruns of episodes missed due to blackouts. In October 2023, they rescheduled Brazilian telenovelas to air immediately after the prime-time news, likely to conserve electricity. Repeating previously aired content, as with "Most Beautiful Thing," is a common practice attributed to both a lack of foreign currency to acquire new productions and the inability to produce local series with available resources.
While Cubavisión invites viewers to "fall in love" with the story of a woman reinventing herself by opening a bossa nova club in 1950s Rio de Janeiro, millions of Cubans lack the electricity to even turn on their TVs. The only ongoing "telenovela" for many, as one commenter noted, is called "Darkest Thing," and it has no end in sight.
Cuba's Television and Energy Crisis: Common Questions
Why is Cuban television repeating old series like "Most Beautiful Thing"?
Cuban television often repeats previously aired content due to a combination of factors. These include limited foreign currency to purchase new programs and challenges in producing domestic series with the resources at hand.
How do power outages affect Cuban television viewership?
Frequent power outages severely impact Cuban television viewership, as many people do not have electricity to watch TV during scheduled broadcasts, leading to frustration and criticism from the public.
What measures has Cuban television taken to address the energy crisis?
Cuban television has attempted to adapt by rescheduling broadcasts and rerunning episodes that viewers missed due to blackouts. However, these measures are often seen as insufficient given the severity of the energy crisis.