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Telenovela Channel
Telenovela Channel
Telenovela Channel
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Telenovela Channel (informally abbreviated TNC, stylized as TeleNovela Channel) was a telenovela-based cable channel in the Philippine network owned by Beginnings at Twenty Plus, Inc. under a joint venture with TelevisaUnivision. The network launched in the summer of 2011 with test broadcast before fully launching on November 14, 2011. The network ceased operations on March 1, 2024.

Key Information

History

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Beginning of the broadcast of telenovelas in the Philippines

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During the 1990s, the Philippines started to air Latin American telenovelas on free-to-air television networks including RPN 9 (since 1994 with La Traidora), ABS-CBN 2 (since 1996 with Maria Mercedes), ABC 5 (now TV5, since 1996 with Morena Clara), GMA 7 (since 1996 with Agujetas de color de rosa) and IBC 13 (since 2001 with Por un beso). The telenovelas aired on Philippine television, especially those produced in Mexico, were dubbed in Filipino and were shown in primetime and afternoon slots.

However, the late 2000s saw the dwindling popularity of the Latin American telenovelas.

Channel launch and initial programming (2011–2013)

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Beginnings at 20 Plus, Inc.[1] launched a channel dedicated to Mexican telenovelas in 2011. Beginnings at 20 Plus, Inc. is a multi-media company that produces concerts, events and offers television production services as well. The company produced the dubbed Tagalog version of the Chinese historical drama series Judge Bao in 2007–2008, aired on ABC-5.[2]

A landmark agreement between Beginnings at 20 Plus, Inc. and Mexican network Televisa marked the start of a new channel dedicated to telenovelas. On November 14, 2011, Telenovela Channel started its maiden broadcast with In the Name of Love, The Two Sides of Ana, Passion and La Madrastra. These telenovelas were dubbed in Tagalog and were aired in original Spanish audio as well until 2013 as the new telenovelas were dubbed in English.[3]

The year 2012 saw the introduction of new telenovelas as well. These are A Woman's Word, Big Love, and Love Spell. The same year also marked the return of Marimar, this time on cable via this channel. With its aim to be a purely Filipino telenovela cable channel, Spanish audio versions of the telenovelas were stopped in order to give way to Tagalog dubbed shows. On August 13 to 19, 2012, episodes of various telenovelas were aired again by viewers' request due to brownouts caused by strong monsoon rains (Habagat) on August 7 to 9, 2012.

Transition to English audio and programming changes (2013–2016)

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In 2013, the channel made a major shift as the new telenovelas acquired are now dubbed in English starting with Soy tu dueña and Rafaela. In June 2013, the channel's airtime was reduced to give way to Home TV shopping blocktimer TeleVShop which was later replaced by TV Shop Philippines in 2014.

On June 2, 2014, the telenovela returned on Free TV as The Two Sides of Ana (Dalawang Mukha ni Ana) during ATC@IBC-13 block. On July 7, 2014, Telenovela Channel launched the return of the popular telenovela Cuidado con el ángel, under the English title Don't Mess with an Angel. The said telenovela already aired on ABS-CBN as Maria de Jesus: Ang Anghel sa Lansangan, dubbed in Tagalog from 2009 until it ended in 2010. Also in 2014, reruns of last 5-10 episodes of each telenovela were aired, afterwards a new telenovela was replaced. As of 2015, no full-length reruns of telenovelas aired after the rerun of The One who Couldn't Love. Since April 2015, all telenovelas and an anthology are aired in English.

Exploring new genres and remakes (2017–2019)

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On January 16, 2017, Telenovela Channel aired its first and only non-telenovela program The Rose of Guadalupe, an anthology featuring standalone inspirational stories each episode. Three new novelas subsequently aired on summer: Head Over Heels, I Don't Trust Men Anymore and La Malquerida.

For the first time, Telenovela Channel launched its first and only Brazilian telenovela Carrossel, which is a remake of the 1989 telenovela Carrusel. The telenovela, produced by SBT and distributed by Televisa (for international markets), replaced I Don't Trust Men Anymore on October 23, 2017. With 252 episodes using the international version (instead of 310 in the original airing), this is the overall longest-running telenovela aired on TNC, although Big Love (2012–2013) remains the longest running Mexican soap opera with 205 episodes.

Two programs premiered on New Year's Day of 2018: My Heart is Yours and The Color of Passion. I Don't Trust Men Anymore had its repeat broadcast on July 2, 2018, the first program to have a full run rerun since The One who Couldn't Love in 2015. Secrets at the Hotel was launched on September 3, 2018, replacing La Rosa de Guadalupe. This is the second-period soap opera the channel aired after Passion in 2011. Simply María, a remake of the 1989 telenovela (already aired on RPN from 1996 to 1997), was launched on September 17, 2018. Fooled Into Love and Ask God for Forgiveness Not Me premiered in late November as 2018 draws to an end.

Telenovela Channel aired the program Corazón indomable under the title Wild at Heart in January 2019. The said telenovela was already shown on GMA Network in 2015, with a slightly reduced number of episodes along with Tagalog audio. This is the third time a previously Tagalog-dubbed telenovela on free TV will be aired in English on TNC after Don't Mess with an Angel and Rubi. Wild at Heart is based on the 1994 telenovela Marimar which was broadcast on TNC in 2012. Alongside with it is the launch of The Stray Cat, which is produced by Nathalie Lartilleux, the same producer of Wild at Heart.

In June 2019, Telenovela Channel premiered three telenovelas on the same day: The Three Sides of Ana, Las Amazonas and Unforgivable. In September 2019, Telenovela Channel aired telenovelas The Neighbor and Passion and Power which was the last telenovela that famous actor Fernando Colunga starred in Televisa until 2023.

COVID-19 pandemic programming interruption (2020)

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In January 2020, three new programs premiered: Anything But Plain, Shadows of the Past and Along Came Love. Due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine imposed by the Philippine government, as a preventive measure to the COVID-19 pandemic, office operations were affected and thus the channel was forced to air reruns from April to June 2020 except Passion and Power which finished its broadcast in early April followed by a rerun of the program's last few weeks until May. In July 2020, Telenovela Channel resumed regular programming with new episodes. After the three new shows ended their runs in October–November, the channel aired reruns of The Neighbor, Passion and Power, The Three Sides of Ana and Las Amazonas.

New titles and new normal programming (2021–2023)

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In February 2021, Telenovela Channel premiered two new programs: Sightless Love and Fall Into Temptation.[4] It was then followed by My Husband's Family in May, Lying Heart in June and the two telenovelas, The Candidate and In Love with Ramón in July. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the channel launched three new shows in October, I Plead Guilty, It Had to Be You and Papa a Toda Madre.

In 2022, Telenovela Channel launched 10 new programs in a year. This was started with Griselda Blanco: The Dark Widow, a co-production between Televisa and RTI Colombia; and The Two Lives of Estela Carrillo with Ariadne Diaz in the titular role. Also launched in March 2022 were the romance-themed Road to Destiny and the period drama Corazón Salvaje (with reruns a year later). In the summer of 2022, A Beloved Man and My Sweet Curse (a remake of Telemundo's Lola, already aired on GMA in the last quarter of 2013 with reduced episodes) were premiered.

September 2022 saw the launch of three novelas: Wild Lands, Love to Death, and Moon Daughters. Muchacha italiana viene a casarse made its comeback on Philippine TV after being aired on BEAM TV as a telenovela blocktimer from 2015–2016 in Tagalog audio. This time, it was aired on Telenovela Channel with its English audio.

The year 2023 marked its last year of bringing new titles, and also the first and only telenovela that is dubbed both in Tagalog and English. Mi pecado was launched on January 2, 2023 with Maite Perroni and Eugenio Siller as its protagonists. On May 1, 2023, Love Spell made its comeback on Telenovela Channel, using its original Spanish title Sortilegio and with English audio. The said telenovela was aired in 2012–2013 (with reruns) on TNC and 2015–2016 on BEAM TV block.

Teresa, a remake of the 1989 telenovela starring Salma Hayek, premiered on June 5, 2023, once again with Angelique Boyer in the lead. This was followed by Mar de Amor on June 12, 2023, marking the first and only appearance of international star Mario Cimarro on Telenovela Channel, and also the last new telenovela to be aired.

Final programming and channel closure (2024)

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Reruns of Crown of Tears, which was aired in 2016, were shown from August 14, 2023 to January 16, 2024. Reruns of Road to Destiny (September 4, 2023), Wild Lands (January 8, 2024), and Love to Death (January 22, 2024) are the last telenovelas in the final programming line-up. As of February 1, 2024, the channel had aired 65 Mexican telenovelas (including co-productions), one Brazilian telenovela (distributed by Televisa), and one anthology.

It was announced on February 1, 2024 that the channel would close after 12 years on March 1, 2024.[5] Cignal TV already had stopped carrying the network on January 2, 2024.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Telenovela Channel

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Telenovela Channel, also known as TeleNovela Channel, was a Philippine channel dedicated exclusively to broadcasting telenovelas, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and recognized as the first full-time channel in . Launched on November 14, 2011, the channel was owned by Beginnings at Twenty Plus, Inc., and established through a with Mexican media giant , which provided the bulk of its programming consisting of dubbed Latin American telenovelas spanning genres such as romance, , and action, featuring stars like Lucero and William Levy. Envisioned by , the CEO of Beginnings at Twenty Plus, Inc., it catered to the strong Filipino affinity for soap operas by offering non-stop episodes, including reruns and options for viewers to catch up on missed content, distributed via over 300 cable operators and direct-to-home satellite services to reach urban and rural audiences alike. Over its 12-year run, the channel aired popular series such as as its inaugural program and later hits like and Road to Destiny, emphasizing themes of life's dramas symbolized by its logo of a resilient flower, while competing with local and international networks through high-quality entertainment that resonated with millions of viewers. Despite its success in filling a niche for imported serialized dramas, Telenovela Channel ceased broadcasting on February 29, 2024, marking the end of its operations after more than a decade of delivering passion, intrigue, and romance to Philippine households.

Background and Launch

Telenovelas in Philippine Television

The introduction of Latin American s to Philippine television began in the mid-1990s, marking a shift in local viewing habits. The first such program, the Venezuelan production La Traidora, aired on RPN 9 starting in November 1994, becoming the inaugural Spanish-language dubbed into Tagalog for broader accessibility. This was followed by the hit Marimar on the same network in 1996, which rapidly gained massive viewership due to its melodramatic storytelling, rags-to-riches narrative, and vibrant production values, topping ratings charts and captivating audiences across urban centers. By the late and into the early , telenovelas reached peak popularity, with networks like and GMA importing numerous titles such as María Mercedes and Esmeralda, often filling primetime slots and drawing urban fanbases through Tagalog dubbing that localized emotional appeals and cultural nuances. This era saw telenovelas influence the evolution of indigenous teleseryes, or Filipino soap operas, by introducing faster pacing, elaborate plot twists, and serialized formats; a prime example is 's Pangako Sa 'Yo (2000), which adapted these elements to reflect Philippine social realities like class divides and family vendettas, running for over two years and solidifying the hybrid genre's dominance. The dubbing practice not only boosted comprehension but also fostered a dedicated following, particularly among city dwellers who embraced the escapist romance and moral dilemmas, contributing to a cultural phenomenon that blended Latin flair with local sensibilities. However, by the late , viewership for Latin American telenovelas began to decline amid rising competition from homegrown teleseryes and emerging Asian imports like Korean dramas, which offered fresher narratives and better production quality tailored to evolving tastes. This shift highlighted the need for specialized platforms to sustain interest in the genre.

Establishment and Ownership

The Telenovela Channel was formed by Beginnings at Twenty Plus, Inc., a Philippine media company focused on promoting local talent, in partnership with Televisa Internacional, the international arm of the Mexican media giant , to capitalize on the genre's historical appeal in the while addressing the reduced presence of such content on television. This aimed to create a dedicated platform for Spanish-language soap operas, dubbed in Filipino. The official premiere occurred on November 14, 2011, marking it as Asia's first 24/7 full-time channel. The channel was available on (channel 60) and expanded nationwide through major providers and provincial operators, targeting cable and satellite subscribers. Headquartered at 252 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue in , , the channel's operational setup emphasized continuous programming to cater to dedicated fans, including overseas Filipino workers, with content sourced exclusively from Televisa's extensive library. Under the leadership of , CEO of Beginnings at Twenty Plus, Inc., the venture positioned itself as a niche broadcaster dedicated to the format, distinct from general entertainment networks.

Programming and Broadcast

Initial Content and Dubbing Practices

Upon its launch on November 14, 2011, Telenovela Channel established itself as Asia's first dedicated 24/7 outlet for telenovelas, featuring a continuous schedule of back-to-back episodes without any original programming. The initial lineup included Mexican telenovelas dubbed in Tagalog as well as original Spanish audio versions, beginning with four flagship titles: La Madrastra (2005), Passion, In the Name of Love, and The Two Sides of Ana. These selections were chosen to capitalize on the familiarity of Mexican dramas among Philippine audiences, providing accessible entertainment through cable providers such as Sky Cable and Cignal. In November 2011, In the Name of Love (En Nombre del Amor) served as the channel's inaugural broadcast, setting the tone for a rotation of emotional, serialized stories aimed at urban cable subscribers seeking dedicated telenovela viewing. By 2012, the programming expanded to include additional acquisitions, such as the classic Marimar, which was re-aired in a full Tagalog dub to evoke nostalgia and broaden appeal. Over the early years through 2013, the channel amassed a library of Mexican titles, prioritizing those with themes of romance, family conflict, and redemption to align with local viewing preferences. The dubbing practices during this period emphasized complete Tagalog voice-overs performed by Philippine actors to immerse viewers in a culturally resonant experience, mimicking the dramatic intensity of domestic teleseryes. Studios like at Twenty Plus handled the production, where voice talents—such as those synchronizing multiple characters—delivered lines in sync with on-screen movements while amplifying emotional depth, as seen in adaptations like Marimar and In the Name of Love. This approach involved script translation, on-set direction for emotional delivery, and syncing, ensuring the foreign narratives felt authentically Filipino without or original audio. The strategy targeted urban households with cable access, offering an ad-supported, uninterrupted stream of dubbed content to fill a niche for affordable dramatic escapism. A Filipino dub refers to a version of a film, television show, or other audio-visual media where the original language has been replaced with Tagalog, primarily to make foreign media accessible to a broader, non-English speaking Filipino audience. However, several such projects have become lost media, including specific episodes and sometimes entire runs of classic Latin American telenovelas dubbed in Tagalog, often due to poor archival practices, the use of fragile physical formats, or the lack of re-release in modern formats. The issue of lost media in the Philippines represents a significant concern for the country's cultural heritage, with ongoing efforts by archiving communities and enthusiasts to preserve this aspect of Filipino cinematic history.

Content Evolution and Notable Shows

Following its initial phase of Tagalog dubbing for local accessibility, Telenovela Channel transitioned to English dubbing in to enhance international appeal and reach a wider English-speaking audience in the and beyond. This shift began with premieres of key Mexican telenovelas such as (dubbed as A Woman of Steel), starring Lucero and , which explored themes of inheritance disputes and romantic redemption, and , featuring in a story of professional ambition clashing with personal turmoil. The English allowed for subtler emotional delivery and broader , marking a strategic evolution from localized adaptations to more global-oriented programming. In 2017, the channel diversified beyond exclusively Mexican content by introducing its first Brazilian production, , which premiered on October 23, 2017, as a children's series remake centered on school life, friendships, and moral lessons, which aired to appeal to younger viewers and families. Concurrently, it launched the anthology series (known as The Rose of Guadalupe), which premiered on January 16, 2017, featuring standalone inspirational stories rooted in faith, miracles, and everyday triumphs often involving the Virgin of Guadalupe, thus expanding into inspirational and episodic genres to complement the traditional dramatic format. These additions broadened the channel's genre palette, incorporating lighter, value-driven narratives alongside romance-heavy soaps. Over its decade-long run, Telenovela Channel amassed a catalog of 65 telenovelas, one Brazilian series, and one , supplemented by remakes, reruns, and occasional international acquisitions to maintain a consistent 24-hour schedule of dramatic content. Among the standout titles was (aired in 2014 under the English title Don't Mess with an Angel), a classic featuring and William Levy in a tale of lost memory, forbidden love, and class conflicts that resonated with audiences through its blend of romance and . The channel's final new premiere, on June 12, 2023, starring and , delved into themes of revenge, redemption, and coastal intrigue, encapsulating the enduring appeal of passion-driven plots intertwined with issues like family legacy and societal prejudice. These shows exemplified the channel's focus on emotionally charged stories that highlighted romance, vengeance, and broader social dynamics, solidifying its niche in Philippine .

Operational Changes and Closure

Mid-Period Shifts and Challenges

In 2013, Telenovela Channel implemented key operational adjustments to ensure long-term viability, including a reduction in dedicated airtime to accommodate blocks from TeleVShop, later succeeded by TV Shop in 2014, as a measure to diversify revenue streams amid rising costs. Concurrently, the channel fully transitioned to English-dubbed programming starting that year, a strategic pivot designed to appeal to a wider demographic, including overseas Filipino workers and communities seeking accessible Latin American content. From 2017 to 2019, the channel pursued genre diversification to address viewer fatigue from repetitive formats, incorporating remakes of classic series alongside inspirational programming such as The Rose of Guadalupe, which debuted on January 16, 2017, and featured standalone stories emphasizing moral and uplifting themes. This evolution reflected broader efforts to refresh the schedule while maintaining the channel's core focus on dramatic storytelling. Throughout this period, Telenovela Channel grappled with significant external pressures, including a reported decline in cable television subscriptions across the —driven by economic factors and shifting consumer habits—and intensifying competition from emerging streaming services like and local platforms, which offered on-demand access to similar content. These challenges necessitated adaptive strategies, such as the enhanced English audio options to retain and attract international viewers. The channel's with Televisa Internacional, established at launch and evolving with the 2022 formation of , profoundly shaped these dynamics by influencing content acquisition costs, exclusive rights negotiations, and programming priorities, ensuring a steady supply of high-profile telenovelas despite escalating licensing expenses.

COVID-19 Impact and Recovery

The severely disrupted Telenovela Channel's supply of new content, as the channel relied heavily on telenovelas produced by major studios like . In March 2020, suspended filming of new novelas across in response to nationwide measures, halting the production of daily episodes that formed the core of the channel's programming. This global interruption led to a full suspension of new episodes on Telenovela Channel from April to June 2020, forcing the channel to pivot to reruns of classic titles to maintain its schedule. During this period, the channel aired reruns of popular classics, leveraging their enduring popularity among Filipino audiences familiar with dubbed telenovelas from the and . Shows like Marimar, a seminal Mexican production that had previously captivated Philippine viewers, were featured to fill airtime, capitalizing on the nostalgic value of these stories amid the uncertainty of the . This approach aligned with broader industry trends in the , where local networks also resorted to archived content due to domestic production stops. Overall TV viewership in the country surged to record levels during the initial lockdowns, providing a buffer against potential audience loss. Recovery began post-June 2020 as Mexican productions gradually resumed under strict health protocols, allowing Telenovela Channel to reintroduce delayed titles into its lineup. restarted filming in late June, enabling the flow of new episodes to international partners, though with built-in delays due to revised shooting schedules and shipping . The channel implemented adaptations such as phased rollouts of these backlogged series, helping to restore regular programming by July. The pre-existing practice of English for Philippine audiences facilitated quicker sourcing and adaptation of available content from international archives during the transition. From 2021 to 2023, the channel continued to navigate lingering effects through increased reliance on reruns and abbreviated seasons for new acquisitions, addressing ongoing challenges from international partners affected by intermittent lockdowns and restrictions. This strategy helped manage content gaps while prioritizing high-demand classics to sustain viewer engagement. Viewer metrics reflected a temporary dip in ratings for fresh premieres due to , but the nostalgic draw of older shows mitigated the decline, contributing to stable overall audience retention during the recovery phase.

Final Programming and Shutdown

In 2024, Telenovela Channel shifted to a schedule dominated by reruns of established favorites, such as the 2009 Mexican telenovela Mar de Amor, which aired its final episodes in January, concluding with a special "Seaside Finale" on January 25. Other reruns included Road to Destiny from September 2023 and Wild Lands starting January 8, 2024, with no new content acquisitions reported, reflecting efforts to manage operational costs in the channel's waning phase. The channel's closure was announced on February 1, 2024, via its official website, stating it would end broadcasts after 12 years of operation. This followed the discontinuation of carriage by major pay-TV provider on January 2, 2024, due to the expiration of their contract. The final programming day was February 29, 2024, after which operations ceased. The shutdown was precipitated by the loss of key distribution agreements, including with , amid broader challenges in the linear television sector such as declining audiences for traditional cable channels and the migration of content to digital streaming services. Rising licensing costs for international content, particularly from partners like , further strained viability, as the channel had relied heavily on dubbed Latin American productions. Over its 12-year run from November 14, 2011, to February 29, , Telenovela Channel aired more than 67 telenovelas, featuring prominent stars like and William Levy, and cultivated a dedicated niche for the in the . This legacy helped introduce and sustain interest in dramatic Latin American storytelling among Filipino viewers, fostering a passionate despite the format's limited mainstream appeal. As of 2025, no revival has been announced.

References

  1. http://telenovelachannel.com/2023/11/telenovela-channel-celebrates-12-years-on-air/
  2. https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2011/08/14/716278/247-soap-opera-channel-pinoys
  3. https://www.manilatimes.net/2011/11/18/showtime/nothing-but-soaps-on-telenovela-channel/749035
  4. http://telenovelachannel.com/about-us/
  5. http://telenovelachannel.com/shows/
  6. http://telenovelachannel.com/2024/02/telenovela-channel-bids-farewell-after-12-years-on-air/
  7. https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/a-tale-of-two-transnational-telenovelas/
  8. https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/in-focus/telenovela-anime-transform-landscape-of-philippine-tv/
  9. https://archium.ateneo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1181&context=english-faculty-pubs
  10. https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2011/11/14/747561/watch-your-favorite-telenovelas-247
  11. http://telenovelachannel.com/social-media/
  12. https://www.facebook.com/telepinoy.PH/posts/telenovela-channel-to-end-its-broadcast-on-pay-tv-this-february-29pay-tv-channel/877632421036099/
  13. https://dubdb.fandom.com/wiki/Marimar_%28Filipino%2C_TV5%29
  14. https://www.facebook.com/groups/olmph/
  15. https://lostmediaarchive.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Lost_Philippines%27_Media
  16. https://www.scribd.com/document/734603573/Lost-Media-in-the-Philippines
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrdiGh77K3o
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-I5iYuzD5c
  19. https://entertainment.inquirer.net/9869/telenovelas-find-home-in-new-tv-channel
  20. https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/mexican-broadcaster-televisa-grapples-with-steamy-soaps-in-social-distancing-era-idUSKBN22J1O1/
  21. https://www.npr.org/2020/08/09/900703257/pandemic-finds-audiences-glued-to-mexican-telenovelas
  22. https://www.adobomagazine.com/philippine-news/intelligence-screen-time-at-record-high-as-covid-19-amplifies-tv-viewing-in-the-philippines-during-lockdown/
  23. https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/04/20/less-sex-more-viewers-pandemic-boosts-mexicos-flagging-telenovelas
  24. http://telenovelachannel.com/2024/01/the-hidden-beach-bids-tnc-farewell-with-mar-de-amor-the-seaside-finale/
  25. https://tvradioschedules.fandom.com/wiki/Telenovela_Channel
  26. https://russel.fandom.com/wiki/2024_in_Philippine_television
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