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Radio Cooperativa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Cooperativa.cl)
Radio Cooperativa’s studio building in Barrio Yungay, Santiago

Radio Cooperativa is a Chilean radio station based in Santiago. It is operated by the Compañía Chilena de Comunicaciones (Chilean Communications Company).[1] Founded in 1935 in Valparaíso, it is one of Chile's oldest radio stations and is primarily known for its news and current-affairs programming.

The station has historically been associated with the Christian Democratic Party. During the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, it initially supported the regime following the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, but became an opposition broadcaster in 1977 and reported on human rights violations committed by the regime when permitted to do so.[2] Its broadcasts were repeatedly subject to censorship and restrictions during the dictatorship.

Radio Cooperativa has reduced its terrestrial network substantially since the 2010s, selling or relinquishing most of its regional FM and AM frequencies and concentrating its national service in Santiago and on digital platforms. In 2020, it entered into a content-sharing agreement with China Media Group.[3]

History

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Foundation and early years

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A radio drama broadcast on Radio Cooperativa (1944)

Radio Cooperativa began broadcasting as Radio Cooperativa Vitalicia in Valparaíso on February 16, 1935, in a ceremony attended by President Arturo Alessandri.[4] The station had been established by the Sociedad de Rentas Cooperativa Vitalicia, a company that initially intended the broadcaster to promote its business. It gradually expanded its programming beyond that purpose.[5]

Broadcasts in Santiago began two days later, on February 18, 1935, from studios and transmission equipment located on the top floor of the La Nación building.[6][7] The station initially transmitted on shortwave.

On August 8, 1939, the Sociedad de Rentas Cooperativa Vitalicia established the Compañía Chilena de Comunicaciones to take control of the station. The company's operation was authorized by a decree signed by President Pedro Aguirre Cerda on March 25, 1940.[8]

During the 1940s, Radio Cooperativa Vitalicia became affiliated with the Pan-American Network, an entertainment, information, and propaganda service offered by the National Broadcasting Company.[9]

In the 1950s and 1960s, Cooperativa formed the radio network "La Voz de Chile", linking stations in cities including Antofagasta, Valparaíso, Concepción, Temuco, Valdivia, Puerto Montt, Puerto Natales, and Punta Arenas. The network was linked using shortwave transmissions and the Santiago station.

The station developed a strong news orientation over subsequent decades. Among its early news programs was El Repórter Esso, which began in 1941 and was later adapted for television. El Diario de Cooperativa was launched on November 18, 1976, with Jaime Moreno Laval as its first host. Journalist Sergio Campos became its principal presenter in 1981 and remained with the program until his departure from the station in April 2025.

Political orientation and the military dictatorship

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From 1958, the station's editorial line became closely associated with the Christian Democratic Party, and it supported the government of Eduardo Frei Montalva following his election in 1964. In the early 1970s, the station was acquired by Sociedad Propaganda y Publicidad Ltda., which was associated with the Christian Democrats. In 1971, Cooperativa opposed the government of Salvador Allende.

Following the September 11, 1973, coup, the station initially supported the military regime led by General Augusto Pinochet. By 1977, however, it had become an opposition broadcaster. It reported on human rights violations committed by the regime when censorship permitted and supported the "No" option in the 1978, 1980, and 1988 plebiscites.[10]

Cooperativa was repeatedly subjected to censorship and broadcasting restrictions during the dictatorship:

  • From May 13 to 23, 1983, the authorities prohibited the station from broadcasting news programs after El Diario de Cooperativa carried statements by copper-industry union leaders calling for a general strike.[11][12]
  • From September 4 to 8, 1984, the authorities restricted the information that Cooperativa and Radio Chilena could broadcast following the tenth National Day of Protest.[13]
  • On October 30, 1984, information restrictions were imposed on Cooperativa and Radio Santiago.[14]

The station's role as an opposition broadcaster made it an important source of independent news during the later years of the dictatorship.

FM expansion

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Cooperativa returned to the FM band in Santiago on February 3, 1997, initially broadcasting at 93.3 MHz. The move marked the beginning of an expansion of its FM network throughout Chile. The station had previously broadcast on 92.1 MHz in Santiago until 1979.

By the 2000s and early 2010s, Cooperativa operated a nationwide network of FM and AM transmitters and associated stations. Its programming focused increasingly on news, current affairs, sports, culture, and music. Sports coverage included matches involving the Chile national football team, the Chilean national championship, CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying matches, and Chilean clubs competing in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.

Programming

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Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is interviewed by Cecilia Rovaretti on the program Una nueva mañana (2014)

Radio Cooperativa is primarily a news and current-affairs station. Its programming includes national and international news, interviews, analysis, culture, music, and sports.

One of its best-known programs is El Diario de Cooperativa, which was established in 1976 and became a major source of news and political information. Other programming has included cultural and music programs, as well as extensive live sports coverage.

The station also distributes content through its website and digital services. Its online offerings have included Cooperativa Ciencia, a science-oriented internet radio service, and other digital projects.

Decline of the regional network

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From 2013 onward, Cooperativa began substantially reducing its terrestrial network. It sold or relinquished numerous FM and AM frequencies across the country, including frequencies in northern cities such as Arica, Iquique, Calama, Antofagasta, Copiapó, and Vallenar, central Chilean cities including Valparaíso, San Antonio, Rancagua, Talca, and Chillán, and southern cities including Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno, Puerto Montt, Coyhaique, and Punta Arenas. Some frequencies were transferred to other broadcasters, while others were sold for future radio projects.

By the end of 2020, Cooperativa had discontinued its remaining AM transmissions in Santiago, Greater Valparaíso, Temuco, and Castro, with the exception of its 680 kHz frequency in Greater Concepción. Several of the discontinued frequencies were subsequently used by Radio Colo Colo.[15]

The reduction continued during the 2020s. In March 2024, the company sold the "Al Aire Libre" brand and its associated sports website to the French company North Star Network. The sports operation was subsequently renamed Cooperativa Deportes.[16]

During 2024 and 2025, further regional frequencies were sold or relinquished. These included frequencies in Osorno, Ancud, Curicó, San Felipe and Los Andes, Copiapó, Talca, Chillán, San Antonio, and Rancagua. By March 2026, Cooperativa had sold all of its remaining regional frequencies, approximately 30 in total, although some transfers were still awaiting regulatory approval. The company said the move would allow it to reduce the costs associated with maintaining its regional transmission infrastructure and focus more on digital distribution and streaming.[17]

Financial difficulties

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The contraction of Cooperativa's terrestrial network has taken place amid financial difficulties at the Compañía Chilena de Comunicaciones. In 2026, the company was reported to have debts of approximately CLP3.5 billion and to have undertaken measures including staff and salary reductions, the sale of regional frequencies and historical brands, and the sale of its main building.[18]

In September 2025, Cooperativa sold its building at Maipú 525 in Santiago's Barrio Yungay to Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, reportedly as part of efforts to settle its bank debt. The station was allowed to continue operating from the building until September 2026.[19][20]

Cooperativa Red Los Lagos

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Cooperativa Red Los Lagos is a regional affiliate operating in the Los Lagos Region. It began broadcasting on September 8, 2025, under a franchise arrangement with Sociedad de Comunicaciones del Sur Ltda., which had previously operated the local station RPT (Radio Para Ti Puerto Montt).[21]

The network operates at 90.1 MHz in the Llanquihue Lake area, 105.3 MHz in Puerto Montt, 99.9 MHz in Ancud, and 100.1 MHz in Castro. It carries locally produced news, sports, entertainment, and advertising, while linking to Radio Cooperativa's national programming from Santiago at certain times.[22]

The creation of the network restored a Cooperativa-branded terrestrial presence in parts of southern Chile after the contraction of the station's national network. The regional network is operated independently of the Compañía Chilena de Comunicaciones under the franchise arrangement.

Facilities

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For many years, Cooperativa's Santiago studios were located at Bandera 236 in central Santiago. The building included a performance hall used for live shows, contests, radio dramas, and concerts.

In 1978, as the station's programming became increasingly focused on news during the dictatorship, Cooperativa moved its studios and newsroom to Antonio Bellet 223 in Providencia, with administrative offices at Antonio Bellet 353. Its administration later moved to Santa Beatriz 22.

On June 25, 2014, the station moved its studios and administrative offices to Maipú 525 in Barrio Yungay, Santiago. The building also housed Radio Universo, which was then owned by the Compañía Chilena de Comunicaciones.

In September 2025, Cooperativa completed the sale of the Maipú 525 building to Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins. The station retained the right to operate there until September 2026.[23][24]

Sergio Campos's departure

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On April 8, 2025, journalist Sergio Campos announced his departure from Radio Cooperativa and his retirement from broadcasting. Campos had been associated with the station for 47 years and had presented El Diario de Cooperativa since 1981.[25]

Content-sharing agreement with China Media Group

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In 2020, Radio Cooperativa entered into a content-sharing agreement with China Media Group.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Cooperativa.cl: Noticias de Chile y el mundo - País, Deportes y más". Cooperativa.cl.
  2. ↑ "La verdad esta en los hechos: Una tensión entre objetividad y oposición. Radio Cooperativa en dictadura". Scielo.
  3. ↑ "Chile: Beijing's Global Media Influence 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  4. ↑ "Ayer se inauguró la planta de la radio difusora Cooperativa Vitalicia" (PDF). La Nación. February 17, 1935. p. 10. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Cooperativa.cl: Noticias de Chile y el mundo - País, Deportes y más". Cooperativa.cl. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  6. ↑ "La Radio de la Cooperativa Vitalicia a la altura de las más modernas y reputadas del mundo" (PDF). La Nación. February 18, 1935. p. 10. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Con gran éxito se inauguró anoche en Santiago la Radio Cooperativa Vitalicia" (PDF). La Nación. February 19, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Cooperativa.cl: Noticias de Chile y el mundo - País, Deportes y más". Cooperativa.cl. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  9. ↑ Centuries of silence: the story of Latin American journalism.
  10. ↑ "La verdad esta en los hechos: Una tensión entre objetividad y oposición. Radio Cooperativa en dictadura". Scielo.
  11. ↑ "Restricción a Radio Cooperativa" (PDF). La Nación. May 14, 1983. p. 8. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Levantan restricciones a Radio Cooperativa" (PDF). La Nación. May 24, 1983. p. 1. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Derogado bando" (PDF). La Nación. September 9, 1984. p. 9. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Restricción informativa para radios Cooperativa y Santiago" (PDF). La Nación. October 30, 1984. p. 4. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
  15. ↑ Coria, Reynaldo (December 24, 2020). "Gracias a Radio Cooperativa reaparece histórico y recordado locutor". El Filtrador. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  16. ↑ Coria, Reynaldo (March 13, 2024). "Esta sería la empresa que adquirió Al aire libre de Cooperativa". El Filtrador. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  17. ↑ De la Paz, Patricio (March 28, 2026). "Aumento de capital, no más frecuencias regionales y venta de sede en Santiago: La batalla de Cooperativa para salir de la crisis". Diario Financiero (in Spanish).
  18. ↑ Kokaly, Ignacio (March 29, 2026). "El salvavidas financiero al que se aferra Radio Cooperativa". Ojo a la Tele (in Spanish). Retrieved April 4, 2026.
  19. ↑ Quinteros, Paulo (September 5, 2025). "Reconocida radio vende su histórico edificio para saldar deudas". La Cuarta. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Radio Cooperativa vende su histórico edificio por crisis financiera". El Filtrador. September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  21. ↑ Videoteca CL (September 8, 2025). Inicio de Transmisiones Radio Cooperativa - Red Los Lagos (8 de Septiembre 2025). Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Radio Online". cooperativaredloslagos.cl. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  23. ↑ Quinteros, Paulo (September 5, 2025). "Reconocida radio vende su histórico edificio para saldar deudas". La Cuarta. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Radio Cooperativa vende su histórico edificio por crisis financiera". El Filtrador. September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Adiós a una leyenda de la radio: Sergio Campos se retira dejando más de 50 años de trayectoria". adnradio.cl. April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Chile: Beijing's Global Media Influence 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
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