The Provincial Division of Radiocuba in Las Tunas acknowledged on Friday that the ongoing energy crisis and lack of fuel have caused a significant disruption to the province's television services. This situation forced an emergency reduction and reorganization of broadcasts.
In a statement signed by Luis Leonardo Sierra Santiesteban, head of the provincial division, it was conceded that "the challenging electro-energy situation nationwide and the limited fuel availability" make it impossible to maintain uninterrupted services.
As a response, Radiocuba Las Tunas will focus on broadcasting only three specific content blocks: the Informative System, the Elite Baseball League, and the 2026 Football World Cup.
To maintain these limited broadcasts, the entity will concentrate its signal on channel 23 of digital television in its standard format, due to its broader reach and provincial coverage.
The notice advises residents in the municipalities of Puerto Padre, Manatí, and Amancio to reposition their external antennas towards Las Tunas and search for channels on their decoders or hybrid televisions.
This decision comes at a particularly sensitive time. The Football World Cup kicked off yesterday with the opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and millions of Cubans had anticipated following the event on television.
Ironically, even where signals exist, Tele Rebelde - the official channel designated for the tournament - aired only about 10 minutes of the opening before switching its programming to cycling.
The official alternative to watch the World Cup is Picta, the state-run streaming platform, an option largely inaccessible due to frequent power outages and limited internet connectivity.
Sierra concluded the statement summarizing the system's helplessness: "Unfortunately, the current circumstances prevent us from maintaining all services uninterrupted."
In Camagüey, television signals have been absent since Monday afternoon, with no explanation from authorities. Journalist José L. Tan Estrada remarked, "Along with the prolonged blackouts, another issue now hits thousands of families: the complete absence of television signals."
Similar disruptions were reported by Radiocuba in Santiago de Cuba at the start of May, due to insufficient fuel for power generators. This pattern has been ongoing since at least January in Holguín, Pinar del Río, and Granma.
Back in March, the crisis compelled Radiocuba to trim its broadcasts to just eight hours a day due to diesel shortages.
Leonardo Vázquez, the company's general director, publicly acknowledged that the power generators are "worn out after years of service" and the broadcasting equipment is "energy inefficient."
Understanding the Impact of Cuba's Energy Crisis on Television Services
Why are television services in Las Tunas being cut?
Television services in Las Tunas are being curtailed due to a severe energy crisis and a shortage of fuel, which have made it impossible to maintain uninterrupted broadcasts.
What content will Radiocuba prioritize during this crisis?
Radiocuba will prioritize broadcasting the Informative System, the Elite Baseball League, and the 2026 Football World Cup during the crisis.
How are residents affected by these changes expected to adapt?
Residents in affected areas are advised to adjust their external antennas towards Las Tunas and search for channels on their decoders or hybrid TVs to access the limited available broadcasts.