It was launched in 1991, as one of the company's first four channels (with Telecine, Top Sport – now SporTV – and GNT).

A high-definition simulcast was launched on December 15, 2012, at 11:59 pm Brazilian Summer Time (UTC-02), with a live telecast of a Rolling Stones concert at the Prudential Center.

Niche programming from ZDF, NHK and Antenne 2 was carried to cater to their respective ethnic minorities, subtitled.

In its earliest phase, the channel was aiming towards an increase in original productions and imported specials.

The producers of Telecurso were also creating a program for the channel aimed at topics of interest for the subscribed elite, such as how to ride a jet ski.