TDM (Macau)

Summarize Timeline Fact Check

The history of TDM could be traced back to Rádio Macau which began broadcasting Portuguese news in August 1933. It was acquired by the Portuguese colonial government in 1948. In 1963, a Hong Kong businessman and the Japanese Pacific Television Corporation planned to create a terrestrial television station in Macau; it is unknown when and why it was shelved.^[3]

In 1979, the colonial government announced that it set up bids for a television station. Three companies were interested.^[4] TDM was founded in 1983, and as a public company, took over the control of the existing Rádio Macau stations and, from 13 May 1984,^[5] would begin its television broadcasts.^[6] TDM started broadcasting its television station on 13 May 1984, offering a mix of Portuguese and Cantonese programming between 18:00 and 23:00. It was the first television company to be founded in Macau, with news only being reported via radio broadcasts on stations such as Rádio Macau before they were absorbed into TDM.

The company was sold for 50 million patacas into a public-private partnership in 1988 following corruption scandals and major financial losses of up to 90 to 100 million patacas a year. In 1990, the Portuguese and Cantonese television operations were split into separate channels,^[7] granting each division its own autonomy.^[8] The company faced another round of financial difficulties in 2002 and was nearing closure; eventually the government bought back the shares of the company.

TDM ceased analogue transmission from 00:00 on 30 June 2023.^[9] TDM's international channel launched on NOS in Portugal on 13 May 2025, the day of the 41st anniversary of TDM's television broadcasts.^[10]

Self-censorship controversy

On 10 March 2021, in light of massive protests in neighbouring Hong Kong which were followed by the passage of national security legislation, TDM executives addressed the company on new broadcasting rules requiring the company to promote "patriotism, respect and love" for mainland China and withhold reports critical of the Chinese government. Several journalists have resigned from the broadcaster as a result of this conflict, with local journalist unions criticizing the rules as a breach of press freedom. Subsequently, the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva warned them that press freedom is a part of Macao Basic Law, stating that the Portuguese government expects the law to be followed. Chief Executive of Macau Ho Iat-seng denied that press freedom restrictions were being imposed. Following the criticism, TDM's executives stated they would continue to follow their current editorial policy.^[11][12]

• Media of Macau