Ondas del Lago Televisión was the first Venezuelan regional television network based in Maracaibo, Zulia State.
Public-owned television includes Venezolana de Televisión, TVes, ViVe and teleSUR.
There are also local community-run television stations such as Catia TVe and a range of regional networks such as Zuliana de Televisión.
Low-income households with no access to subscription television are subject to Chavist propaganda on a daily basis.
The Chávez government devoted considerable financial resources to support community television as part of its view of participatory democracy.
It was the third television network to operate in Venezuela and had an important role in Venezuelan popular culture.
The programming of RCTV interpreted, reflected and described the customs of contemporary Venezuela which was evidenced by the high ratings of the network.