GENERAL INFORMATION

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News & Media

Newspapers and Magazines

There are several newspapers in Ecuador . Although you can buy most national newspapers all over the country, you are more likely to find: El Comercio , Ultima Noticias , El Hoy and El Tiempo in Quito and El Universo , La Prensa , El Telegrafo , La Hora and El Expreso in Guayaquil . Of the above mentioned, the best newspaper is El Comercio, followed by El Hoy, El Telegrafo and El Universo. In the afternoon, for the latest events but with news coverage much reduced than the 4 main papers, you will find Ultima Noticias and La Hora.

The main tabloids reach most towns and villages. Foreign newspapers and magazines are available at international airports, major hotels and the main bookshops such as Libri Mundi, Mr. Books and Libreria Espanola in Quito .

Vistazo is the most read magazine in the. Each weekly issue covers economic and political issues as well as sports, technology, medicine and general information. Other popuar magazines are Cosas, Caras, Soho, Fucsia, La Onda, and Vanguardia.

Television

There are several television channels in Ecuador but generally the programs screened in this country have much to be desired. Although the program selection has improved in recent years, most movies tend to be old ones (which doesn't necessarily mean bad ones).

There are far too many Soap Operas which play several times on practically every channel and an increasing number of Quiz/Game Shows and Variety programs that are littered with advertisements at every possible occasion. In fact, many of them are co-produced by the manufacturers of the products themselves.

The News and news related programs are generally good and offer a limited amount of world-wide coverage. Documentaries are rare. Music programs are usually good. HTV is in fact a music channel, but normally focus on Latin American music only. Perhaps the most viewed television channel that broadcasts to virtually every part of the country is Teleamazona, followed by the equally good Televistazo.

TV program information is listed in the main newspapers. Movies on television are always dubbed into Spanish language and usually don't offer subtitles of any kind.

Satellite Television

Satellite television is available in Ecuador in the form of CableTV, UNIVISA or using a parabolic dish antenna and decoder Direct TV. Satellite TV is expensive when compared to other countries, but is usually worth the extra expense.

You receive many English spoken programs, usually from the USA , and Spanish spoken programs from other countries in South America . With the satellite dish you have a wider choice of channels available depending on the positioning of the Arial.

Cinemas

There are several cinemas in the main towns. In Quito and Guayaquil there are now Multicines that include up to 10 screens with the latest in sound and vision technology and where you can catch the latest Hollywood releases. Most movies at the cinemas are left in their original language but have Spanish subtitles. Major blockbusters are usually offered in both the original and Spanish versions.