I doubt my posting will bring much discussion and that's fine. My only intention is to share with interested parties my newfound, newly acquired access to TVEi/Televisión Española Internacional , the "International" version of Spain's locally shown (in Spain - broadcast from Madrid) TV network.

I JUST LOVE IT! It's my "default" TV station. I have it on almost exclusively just to have that wonderful castellano in my ear. They do have world news and also documentaries about other parts of the world but mainly they spotlight different regions of Spain, talk shows, game shows, local news (lots about Madrid - that's where I saw the news/video about the recent BIG fire near the Museo del Prado), sports, concerts, movies, and some music videos too. They also have quite a bit of "star coverage" - you know, what the stars are doing now, video of stars/models on XYZ beach in Spain, stars leaving their homes and getting in their cars and other boring stuff like this. For example, the program I have on now is called gente which is all about the stars, the "in-people", and of course the Royal Family. There's also Corazón Corazón which is a similar program. And one of the best things - ALMOST NO COMMERCIALS!! Actually, I kind of like the commercials in Spain because I like to see what products are being sold, what's popular, etcetera.

It's offered here in Columbus, Ohio USA through Insight Communications, my cable company. I'd been asking for Spanish-language programming from my cable company for YEARS and finally in Juen it arrived. I think I was one of the first to sign up. With the package I get 24 channels of Spanish language programming including Telemundo, 1 station from Chile, 1 from Argentina, and ESPNespañol, CNNespañol, and a whole bunch of Spanish music video stations to name only a few.

On TVEi yesterday I was watching an interview with Alejandro Sanz and watched some concerts in Galicia, part of the Xacobeo festival there. Seems that because of the festival they've been covering Galicia VERY well and this has made me very very happy. Mmmmm.. Galicia. I just love it. I think I love almost everything about it so watching ALL these programs about the different regions of Galicia in stunning videography has been SUCH a pleasure.

SO MANY YEARS I've been trying to get whatever I can see through the few television stations broadcast via internet (like those HERE ) with grainy, often-buffering video in a small window. Now I have it FULL SCREEN on my TV in digital audio. Mmmmm.. I'm always in heaven when I'm watching some program about the regions of Spain and listening to castellano whenever I like.

Thanks for listening! They're NOW showing he prince and princess meeting Mexico's President Vicente Fox while they were visiting Mexico.

I'd be happier in Spain, MadridMan
===================
Here are is the programming lineup for this week:

LO MÁS DESTACADO... del 19 al 25 de JULIO de 2004

AMERICA

“A GALICIA VENTE YA”, GALA XACOBEO 2004, DESDE LA PLAZA DEL OBRADOIRO

“MENOS ES MAS,( EL DESDEN CON EL DESDEN)” UN AMOR ADOLESCENTE EN LA “CITA CON EL CINE ESPAÑOL”

“CUENTAME COMO PASO”, SE DESPIDE POR ESTA TEMPORADA CON “TORMENTA DE VERANO

“DIEZ EN IBIZA” Y LA VISITA DE LOS AMIGOS EN “TODOS AL DIVAN”

“PERIODISMO DE INVESTIGACIÓN”, UNA ETNIA EN “SOY GITANA”

“PARAISOS CERCANOS “, CON LA DAMA “ARUBA, LA POLINESIA FRANCESA”

ESPACIOS NATURALES, Y “LA SIERRA DE CAZORLA, SEGURA Y LAS VILLAS 2”

TRANSMISION ESPECIAL

DOMINGO DÍA 25

A las 00.30 horas GMT LA GALA ”A GALICIA VENTE YA”, grabada por Televisión Española con motivo del Xacobeo 2004. Con La Plaza del Obradoiro convertida en un enorme plató de televisión. Con la actuación de Janet Jackson, Paulina Rubio, Zucchero, Ketama, Víctor Manuel, Ana Belén, Rosario, Blue, Mariza, Diego Cigala y Bebo Valdés, Nek, Susana Seivane, Avalón, Luar na Lubre, Los Limones y Mark Knopfler

CINE

VIERNES DÍA 23

A las 00.30 horas GMT, en “LA CITA CON EL CINE ESPAÑOL”, la película “MENOS ES MAS (EL DESDEN CON EL DESDEN), dirigida por Pascal Jongen, con Ana Gracia, Luis Fernando Alvés, Miguel Sitjar, Elsa Pataky y Sergio Peris-Mencheta. Durante el verano sevillano, varios jóvenes estudiantes acuden en busca de trabajo a Isla Mágica. Entre ellos, Carlos, Diana y Polilla. Carlos está locamente enamorado de Diana que le ignora; Polilla está, en secreto, enamorada de Carlos, que la considera su mejor amiga y, por amistad, hará que Diana termine enamorándose de Carlos.

SERIES/ FICCIÓN

LUNES DÍA 19

A las 00.30 horas GMT, “DIEZ EN IBIZA”, Protagonizada por Ángel de Andrés López, Emma Ozores, Ramón Langa y Cristina Higueras. Hoy El capítulo “TODOS AL DIVAN”, en el que una pareja de médicos, amigos de Ramón Y Carmen llegan a Ibiza para visitarles y pasar unos días. La visita crea tensiones que Ángel y Bego tratan de atenuar.

JUEVES DÍA 22

A las 00.30 horas GMT, CUENTAME COMO PASO”, se despide por esta temporada con. “TORMENTA DE VERANO”.Después de encontrarse a su familia sumida en el caos, Herminia intenta poner algo de orden. Sin embargo, todavía no ha podido hablar con Antonio, que no para por casa. Y es que Alcántara ya sólo piensa en Elisa y parece estar dispuesto a todo... Mientras, Mercedes sigue en Sagrillas, sin saber nada de lo que está pasando en su casa, ya que Herminia prefiere ocultárselo para no preocuparla. Pero su tranquilidad se ve alterada cuando recibe una visita inesperada. Los tres matones de la constructora siguen acosando a Tony, el cual, a pesar de todo, está dispuesto a declarar ante el juez. Eugenio, y sus amigos Álvaro y Mario, intentan protegerle. Con Imanol Arias, Ana Duato, José Sancho

SÁBADO DÍA 24

A las 01.30 horas GMT “¿SE PUEDE?”, la nueva apuesta de TVE por el humor de LINA MORGAN, con guiones de Jaime de Armiñán, José Luis Coll, Mariano Ozores y Antonio Mingote. Hasta cincuenta y dos distintos personajes en cuatro historias distintas por entrega, sin renunciar al sello personal que hace peculiar a la actriz de La Latina. Lina estará arropada por un amplio abanico de secundarios de lujo, desde Sancho Gracia, Manolo Zarzo, Paula Sebastián, Paco Carabias, Agustín González y José Luis López Vázquez.

PROGRAMAS

MARTES DÍA 20

A las 00.30 horas GMT, “EUROJUNIOR”, GALA presentada por Carlos Lozano y dirigida por Ainhoa Casado y Noemí Galera, en las que se seleccionarán los niños finalistas que competirán para representar a España en el 2º Festival de Eurovisión Junior que se celebrará el 20 de Noviembre en Noruega.

MIÉRCOLES DÍA 21

A las 00.30 horas GMT, “CARTA DE AJUSTE” Dirección, José María Iñigo, realización, Rafael Galán, producción, José Ongay, presentación, José María Iñigo, Llum Barrera y Minerva Piquero. Programa de actuaciones musicales y entrevistas salpicado con secciones de programas de archivo de TVE.

A las 03.00 horas GMT, TENDIDO CERO, el veterano espacio taurino en una nueva temporada, que supone la decimoctava de su permanencia en antena. Dirigido y presentado por Fernando Fernández Román.

SERIES DOCUMENTALES

LUNES DÍA 19

A las 01.30 horas GMT “PERIODISMO DE INVESTIGACIÓN” Hoy, el capitulo “SOY GITANA”. En este reportaje se reflejará la situación de una mujer de esta etnia, en la que las tradiciones continúan marcando la vida del grupo.

A las 03.30 horas GMT, “ESPACIOS NATURALES”, viaja hoy hasta “LA SIERRA DE CAZORLA, SEGURA Y LAS VILLAS”. El Parque Natural constituye el espacio protegido más extenso de nuestro país y atesora una enorme cantidad de valores: paisajísticos, geológicos, botánicos, zoológicos, antropológicos...En este primer programa de los dos que se dedicarán al apretado y abrupto conjunto de sierras que constituyen Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, se hará un breve repaso a las ancestrales relaciones del hombre con estas tierras, veremos cómo se vivía del monte y sus productos, sin olvidar hablar del incomparable escenario que está presente en todo momento a nuestro alrededor y que es el hábitat de infinidad de especies animales y de una comunidad botánica absolutamente excepcional.

JUEVES DÍA 22

A las 01.30 horas GMT “PARAISOS CERCANOS “con “ARUBA, LA POLINESIA FRANCESA”. Aruba, la dama de las antillas. Cielos de azul eterno, aguas de cristal y turquesa, kilómetros y kilómetros de playas blancas como el algodón; lujo para los más exigentes, deportes acuáticos para los más inquietos, noches llenas de vida. La pequeña antilla holandesa nos invita a probar un paraíso con el sabor del Caribe.

DOMINGO DÍA 25

A las 22.30 horas GMT“INGENIO NATURAL” con el capítulo “CABOS, CUERDAS, NUDOS Y REDES,”. El programa plantea una analogía entre las conquistas evolutivas de algunas especies y los inventos humanos. Así podemos apreciar la similitud entre las colas prensiles de los monos y los arneses de los montañeros. También las larvas de mariposas y arañas, responsables de la fabricación de fibras, han inspirado a los humanos las redes, nudos y fibras sintéticas.

MadridMan, you are so lucky! !!!!!!!!!!!!

I am dying to get TVEi and have tirelessly fought with my cable provider to consider offering it. They only offer Univision, which is great for coverage of South and Central American television, but not for Spanish television.

Right now I have a write-in campaign going, hoping to impress Times Warner Cable to consider adding this fine channel. I have even sought the aid of the local soccer associations, since TVEi shows European soccer. Beckham, be still my heart!

Of all places in the U.S., the First Coast, i.e. St. Augustine, Florida, founded by Ponce de Leon, should have access to TVEi! We have a renaissance Castillo here, for goodness sakes!
Ave Maria!

Saludos,
Carmen

Booklady, mine was only offered as a package of 24 channels called "Insight Para Ti" - which added $9 to my bill. It is hard to believe it's not offered more widely in the USA but maybe this is just the first wave. Hope it reaches you soon. I just love it. It makes me feel MUCH closer to Spain knowing that people IN Spain are watching the exact same programs I'm watching here in Columbus, Ohio, USA! But you know, I haven't seen a SINGLE Spanish soccer game (or of any other nationality, I don't think) shown which leads me to believe they aren't offered on TVEi, maybe something to do with television rights.

Right now there's some soap opera called El Secreto. One of the "running stories" in the series is about one of the teenagers going to MICHIGAN, USA as an exchange student. WHY Michigan?? (sorry, gazpacho ) Update: Now showing is the game show SABER Y GANAR, a Jeopardy-like question/answer competition for cash.

Saludos, MadridMan

Just make sure you don't watch more than one episode of the sitcom '"Ana y los Siete"'! I'd suspect it might cause severe damage to some people's brains!

Madridman, that's great. We just got a spanish tier on digital cable with Antena 3 (international, I guess) and TVE international. There is also a channel from TVE that shows documentaries and a few others that look to be from TVE or Spain. One has a half hour news program around the clock from TVE. All for $5 extra per month. It's great to love Spain rather than France or Italy because they charge $10 just for one Italian or French channel.

Keep the previews of upcoming shows coming!! We will try to tape a few of those you mention below.

And it is nice to talk to you all again!!

I live in Cincinnati Ohio and I have Time/Warner Digital Cable. The best package I have been able to find is their so-called "international tier" which is far from "international" if you ask me. You get 5 or 6 channels in Spanish for 3 dollars a month. Does anyone know of a better spanish package availible through time/warner or is switching to sattilite my only option?

...also, for all of you Simpsons fans, "TeleTrece" a local station in Chile is free to watch on the internet. A hour of Simpsons overdubbed in spanish comes on at 7PM M-F.

http://zates2.canal13.cl/indextoc.html

I have Time Warner and the only "international" channel they offer is Univision. Univision is great if you keep track of the happennings in South and Central America, but not with Spain. In my service area they stubbornly refuse to consider adding more international channels. Even though the newspapers are filled with articles about the increase in Spanish speakers in our service counties!!!

It is very frustrating.

It is interesting to note the different channels and packages that time/warner offers, depending on your location.

Univision doesn't come with the international package here. Would be nice to, since Copa America has been on. The spanish channels we get here are:
Sopresa
Cine Latino
Puma TV
Canal Sur
Discovery Español
CNN En Español

Pretty lame, eh? ...Although listening to CNN EN Español almost every morning before spanish class has been helpful to get into that frame of thinking.

MadridMan has links to quite a few televison stations being broadcast from Spain. But they are nothing compared to the channels he wrote about above. The free online channels for the most part are kind of boring...but free.

Hi everyone!

We have been fortunate to Directv Para Todos, which as about 26 Spanish language channels from all over the world, including TVEi/Televisión Española Internacional. I have been watching TVEi quite often, since we will be taking our first trip to Spain this September.

I watch it to get somewhat of a feeling of whats going on in Spain, as well as hear the Spanish Castellaño. Being Mexican-American, I am not familiar with the Spanish Castellaño accent. It's been a real treat! The news is real insightful, giving a Spanish perspective on world events, many of which aren't covered in the US news.

The documentaries are great! They give a lot more insight to areas, than the typical tourist info. Everytime I watch it, it fills me up with excitement on our trip. Can't wait!

By the way, when El Principe got married, we were watching it live! It was so funny being glued to the TV from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. I need to get a life! lol

Ciao!

Louie

We got DirecTV Para Todos specifically to get TVE and it's been great. My husband watches the "morning" news at night. It was especially important March 11, with continuous coverage. We also like its perspective on the news, since the US media is so narrow. We also like watching reruns of "Cuentame", a great show.

hey everybody

i can't get that channel on dtv para todos,because they changed to satellite transmission.
so because i live in an apartment building they(now you know)cant install the satellite,even on the roof.

when is internet going to have NORMAL viewing conditions
and when is cable (as booklady mention) going to retransmit tve internacional.)

I would gladly trade any of the garbage local LA Spanish channels [KRCA, KWHY, etc.] for even half a day of TVE. If I turn on the TV one more time and see "El Show de Downey Dodge" or "La Extravaganza de Keystone Ford" I'm gonna lose it!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!! Not to mention those hokey (i.e. silly) Argentinian soap operas with their over-the-top plots and over-the-top makeup and their non-representative-of-the-population actors.

TVEi has been SUCH a relief from the normal, everyday garbage on typical corporate TV. Really. I would've paid the extra $9/month (or more!) for ONLY TVEi station and not the other 23 Spanish-language stations I got and don't watch.

Have a good weekend, everyone!!

hey everybody

no offence
but since tve and other channels are so great(?)
then can you please tell why people in spain only watch around 3 hours of tele a day?

Yeah and two of those hours are CSI Miami and reruns of Baywatch!

Fmiketheman,

The reason Spaniards only watch 3 hrs of tv is because they are in Spain, and we are not. If I was living in Spain, I don't think I would be watching much TV.

Monofeo

Good answer, Monofeo (cute name)! I'm with you!

3 hours a day?? Is it THAT much?? Remember, the typical workday in Spain ends in the evening, not at 5pm and then there's the family dinner, etcetera. 3-hours might be the length of time it takes to watch some soccer/fútbol matches.

It's also because Spaniards are generally VERY Social and OUTDOOR people. They'd MUCH rather be chatting with friends on a terraza somewhere than be chained to their couches/sofa and watching TV for hours and hours at a time like other countries we know, just waiting for the next Reality Show to be introduced so we'll have MORE reasons for "Must See TV". Ugh. The term "couch potato" (or as Dan Quayle would probably write it, "Couch Potatoe" ) was invented, I think, in the USA. hehehe..

*I* watch TVEi as much as I do (that is, I have it ON the TV while I'm sitting at my desk at the computer and spin around occasionally to see what's showing) because it lets me know, firsthand, what's going on in Spain, seeing (sometimes) LIVE images in Spain, and it makes me feel (in some part of my brain) like I'm IN Spain. But you can bet if I lived IN Spain I wouldn't still be watching TVE!! That would be crazy!!!

But for those not living in Spain, tell your cable company, "I WANT MY TVEi!!!"

Saludos, MadridMan

I'm trying as hard as I can!!!! It's not asking for much, is it? I pay a bundle to watch overrated movies and two stupid shopping channels, can't those TW executives understand that BBC America is not enough for me, I need spain too!
%^&*(*&!!!

Saludos,
Carmen

Nice for you, But if you ask any Spanish person about TVE, he/she'll tell you TVE sucks, it's a good way to learn Spanish, but his shows arent very good. An American friend told me he could see TVEI and CNN+ (CNN SPanish version). Maybe in a future you will can see Antena3I, it's better than TVEI.
question what is your Cable company? Comcast or Carter Pipeline?

TVEi sucks, eh? hehehe.. well, maybe, but when it's the only thing you have from Spain then it's GREAT. I also have CNNespañol but never watch it. Is that the same as CNN+? I too would love to get Antena3 but.....

My cable company is Insight Communications .

Saludos, MadridMan

I'm not sure if CNN+ is the same than CNN Español, maybe CNN Español is southamerican.
Curious, In Canada was denied TVEI but was aproved Canal Sur, is the tv channel of Andalucia.

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/NEWS/RELEASES/2004/r040715.htm

Well, reading this discussion (and you said there wouldn't be so much, MM!) I see that several points have been raised...
I understand that for MM, who is in love with Spain and Madrid, watching TVEi must be a blissful experience.
But I have to agree: Spanish TV sucks. An awful lot.
It's all about 'rosa' information, what the (suposed) stars do, where they eat, what they buy and who they sleep with (of course).
Spaniards watch 3 hours of TV a day. You say that it's not too much, but i think it's too much for this kind of garbage.
I don't have TVEi, but I hope that they filter the garbage and show a decent part of the shows to foreign lands.
Is it so, MM? you know how the REAL TV is in Spain. Is TVEi any better?

Yes. In many ways I'm simply thrilled to have access to it. "A broken mirror" is better than no mirror at all." (oh-brother! I just made that up. ) I've watched a fair amount of Spanish TV while in Spain, mainly in the evenings, but TVEi doesn't have any Operación Triumfo or Big Brother coverage whatsoever (thank god!). I suppose, maybe, because those shows are on different channels/networks. Isn't TVE the state-run (goverment operated) TV station in Spain?

I don't care much for the sports or even the celebrity coverage (too much of both, in my opinion - you get tired of seeing chic-sunglasses-wearing so-called celebritites walking through Madrid Barajas Airport). What I DO love are the nicely-produced regional, informational segments, showing sweeping landscapes and tiny villages and more-or-less in-depth explanation of the different regions in Spain. I also like the Spain News coverage. This is where I saw video of the blazing fire across from the Prado Museum in Huertas a few hours after it happened.

And no commercials except for the occasional "the program is sponsored by....."-type advertisements.

I also wish they had more movies and that the posted schedule held true-to-form. I was disappointed to tune-in at the posted MIAMI TIME (my time zone) to watch the movie Kilometer 0 only to find a show on cooking or something.

Saludos, MadridMan

I agree with you, MM. After all, it's a matter of choice, and if you choose the shows you watch, you can enjoy the experience a lot.
I see that TVEi is much cleaner than the 'real' TVE. News and documentaries are the best parts of TVE, the news are just OK and the documentaries are great (may be not like BBC or Natnl. Geographic, but close).
You say that you watch landscapes, news and sports... mmmmmm, it sounds like most of the TVEi contents are taken from 'La 2', TVE's second chanel which is a minoritary but awesome one.

What....no Pasa Palabra or game or gossip shows? How can that be Spanish?

Trust me! They have PUH-lenty of gossip shows and at least one game show ("Saber y Ganar") so yes, those "bases" are well covered on TVEi. There are also cooking shows, (at least) one children's show about Spanish language (perfect for me!! ), one about home-decoration, one about owning pets, and so on.

Saludos, MadridMan

Right now I'm watching the game show Grand Prix. Here, you have the blue team and the yellow team and they have strange, physical competitions. I just witnessed an on-studio bullring with two soccer teams (one blue and one yellow) who were trying to kick an oversized ball into the other teams' goal while wearing oversized shoes. And all the while, two young, small-sized, horn-covered bulls ran about the ring knocking down the contestants as they attempted to 'play' the soccer-like game.

I tuned in at 8:30pm hoping to find the ADVERTISED 8:30 pm 2000 movie (advertised both on the TVEi network AND on my live, on-screen index), "Me Da Igual", but alas it's not on. Oh, brother. Another case of poor coordination between the network and the cable company carrying the feed. Ugh.

Saludos, MadridMan

I'm NOW watching Cine del Barrio where Carmen Sevilla et. al. introduce old movies.

Today's movie is the 1967 movie "40 Grados a la Sombra" on TVEi. According to IMDB.com HERE , it was an Argentinian movie but filmed totally in Spain. The dubbed voices (as they so often were then) are in castillian, however.

Of course, I've never heard of it but it's REALLY cool to watch and see those old cars in Madrid. It was filmed in the following places:

Benidorm, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Navacerrada, Madrid, Spain
Villalba, Madrid, Spain

Sure, it's a silly movie about a middle-aged man whose wife and kids goe on vacation so he can stay home in Madrid and surroundings to be a playboy.. But what a special glimpse (for me) into the 1960s Spain. I undestand it's like the Hollywood movies but watching this movies it's hard to imagine that at that time Spain was under a dictatorship.

But what treat. Whether or not TVEi sucks, I like it. How coooool!!!

Saludos, MadridMan
(drinking Portuguese white wine)

While working on the message board maintenance I was watching another wonderful GALICIA-focused spotlight of the region. This time they showed Sanxenxo, Pontevedra, El Grove. Before that program they were showing several of the valleys of Cantabria. Coooool! I can't get enough of my TVEi!

Saludos, MadridMan

MM, you make me want to cry! By the way, did you perchance tape this program?

Booklady, are you asking about the Galicia or Cantabria program? I did not tape the Galicia program but did get part of the one on Cantabria.

The on-TV-guide says there's another called "Desde Galicia": 1.5 hours, "Una revista que se enfoca en la actualidad de Galicia" at 4:20pm today which I'll TRY to record but, as I've mentioned above, the on-TV-schedule and the ACTUAL schedule DO NOT seem to coincide MOST of the time. But let's see. I'll try to record it since I'll likely have the TV tuned to TVEi all day while working at the computer.

Saludos, MadridMan

(Booklady! I've sent you a PM! regarding this topic)

I'm sure most of you are sick of hearing about this topic by now... sorry about that.

This half-hour is a very nicely produced program on the Natural Parks of Andalucía, the flora and fauna within, as well as the villages in the region. VERY nice. Can't get enough of this channnel.

Saludos, MadridMan

Thanks, MM, yes I got your message and responded!

Saludos,
Carmen

The best thing on TVEi for me is the series Cuéntame como Pasó. It follows a fictional Madrid family, los Alcántara, through the decade leading up to the transition to democracy (ie '65 - '75, or thereabouts). My wife assures me that all the period detail is right on the nail!

And then there's Ana y los Siete ..!!

MMan,

I've found your post about 'Cine de Barrio' very amusing, couldn't help it . The movie you saw seems to be one of the many made in the 60s and early 70s about 'los "Rodríguez"'.
What we coloquially call Rodríguez are those men that have to work in the cities (specially in Madrid) during the summer, or at least part of it, while the wifey and kids are spending sometime somewhere by the seaside, or even in their families' hometowns/villages (en el pueblo). Some weekends the Rodríguez would join them, but most evenings during the week they would go out for dinner....three main reasons for that: they couldn't/can't cook at all, lack of air conditioning at home (imagine the 60s!), a drink (or more) after dinner was/is thought to be a good oportunity to hook up! (or at least for playing the sport of "women watching").

I believe some men have led or lead that "summer-lifestyle" in the US as well, since that's what the movie The Seven Year Itch portrays more or less (in a more classy way, he, he!)....

The thing is, now year after year the amount of FEMALE Rodríguezs grows and grows....

I just checked TVEInternacional's 'programación' and find funny that there's a program called 'Por la Mañana' that they show at 19:00hrs...

pim, I told my ladyfriend in Madrid about that movie I'd mentioned above and she laughed out loud. She wasn't familiar with the movie itself but I told her about it, the year it was filmed, and that the director's name "Mariano Ozores". She laughed because she said this director is just terrible and his name is used as a joke in Spain, kind of synonymous with "bad Spanish movies".

Also, what is it with Lip Sync-ing in Spain? I'm watching a program with a live audience who are watching performances by top POP stars/groups on the stage, "singing" their popular Spanish songs. BUT NOT A SINGLE SINGER/GROUP SINGS "LIVE" but lip syncs (i.e. moves their lips and pretends to sing) to their studio recorded songs. This REALLY bothers me. I feel cheated when I see this. I've YET to see a real, LIVE performance. Is THIS what the people REALLY want? THAT'S NOT A PERFORMANCE! That's wiggling your hips, moving your lips to the words, and pretending to play your guitar when your guitar isn't even plugged in to the amplifier!!

Don't people want to HEAR their favorite singers sing LIVE and their favorite bands to play LIVE??

Saludos, MadridMan

I have to agree with you on two counts MM -
1. TVEi is a great channel, with great variety of programming.
2. The lip sync-ing in the live shows is terrible. Even some of the older films, it leaves a lot to be desired. I have just been watching Cine del Barrio which was showing La revoltosa. It was filmed in Madrid and although some of the shots of the city were great, it was spoiled by the lead lady failing to sync with a WHOLE LINE OF A SONG whilst singing a duet in the Plaza Mayor.

Some of the best live singing efforts to date have been in the heats of Eurojunior, shown recently on TVE - I watched the shows whilst I was on holiday in Sain - these Spanish kids really like performing in front of a camera!

El Boqueron - Cuéntame como Pasó is one of my favourite shows. TVEi is showing re-runs of the last two series for the moment, with a new series to start in the autumn. As you will know, it is a huge success in Spain. If you have not yet done so, check out the website for the series at http://www.cuentamecomopaso.net/ - it is worth a look, with some great old music to listen to.

Saludos
Robbieroy

Hi Robbie, Well, I'm amazed - another Cuéntame fan in the UK !! I always assumed I was the only one! I love the music too. I can't stop singing the theme tune, "Cuéntame .. cómo ha sido, si has conocido la felicidad" etc.

Shows without Lipsync ("playback")? Try Eurojunior!

robbieroy, et.al., all this week TVEi is showing segments spotlighting the different towns along El Camino de Santiago. These are SO interesting! I LOVE THEM! Yesterday covered Zamora - the "homeland" of our beloved message board member Antonio! (I believe he's on vacation there now!)

This morning, as I was ironing my shirt/pants for the day at 5:00 a.m. they had a 30 minute "concert" of flamenco guitar. This is/was particularly interesting to me as I'm now on my 6th guitar lesson. So anyway, I set the VCR for RECORD to get that program and hopefully I'll also get today's spotlight on Galicia and El Camino. Can't wait to watch it.

Saludos, MadridMan

Hey MM - Are you learning specifically flamenco guitar or classical "Spanish" guitar? I took up flamenco guitar last year but I can't find a teacher locally, so it's been hard going.

Señor Boqueroncito , I'm starting with basic classical guitar (nylong strings, not steel) but have started out playing "La Malagueña" and "Barcelona Nights" but next, it seems, will be something like "Hotel California" which has some spanish-esque guitar in it apparently. So for now, JUST THE BASICS with chords, chord-changes, simple melodies, etcetera.

That program on guitar, which I taped, was really very interesting! It was all guitar, no vocals at all. And the lead flamenco guitarist was .. just amazing. My brain still cannot grasp the abilility of the right hand playing two different melodies (is that the correct term) at the same time to sound like two different guitars! The thumb plays one melody and the 4-fingers on the same hand plays another melody. Wow. Just... wow.. I'm trying to mentally equate it to learning how to type, using both hands and the two working together - this concept makes me more comfortable thinking I can actually do this thing.

Saludos, MadridMan

Just watched a short program on the flora and fauna and people of La Sierra de Guadarrama (the mountain range next to Madrid). VERY interesting!!

MM - do you know who the guitarist was?

All professional flamenco guitarists amaze me. The level of virtuosity is incredible. Now that I'm trying to learn the "basics" myself I'm even more in awe of them.

My number one (indeed, only!) fan is Boqueroncito (aged 15 months). I play a simple Guajira that he really likes and he comes and shows his appreciation by banging on the guitar with his sticky hands!

El GRAN Boqueron wrote: I'm watching it again now. His name is Rafael Riqueni. Ever hear of him? This "production concert" (i.e. no audience) looks to be from the late 1980s or MAYBE the early early 90s.

I just did a Google search and came up with a BIO of this excellent performer HERE . Here's a bit of that....

PopularTV has reruns of "Get Smart!" Can't "get" any better than that ("Get" it?)! I especially like the old Spanish action/drama/romance movies.

On TVEi right now I'm watching (Ugh!) Rosa (winner of Operación Triunfo) singing "Don't Stop The Music" on stage during one of the same shows I mention above. She has 4 back-up singers, 4 people playing violins, a full band behind her and it's absolutely CLEAR she's lip-sync-ing her song and the "band" is not really playing their parts. Really! Do people REALLY ENJOY this kind of false, recorded entertainment? When you have "The Rosa" on stage why wouldn't you want to hear her sing IN HER OWN VOICE, LIVE, IN THAT MOMENT? I can only imagine that people expect to hear their favorite songs sung EXACTLY as they hear them on the radio/CD or that the singers are afraid to make a mistake or not sound as well as the studio production recording and thus the fans will leave them.

Spaniards (et.al.), is THIS what the people want??

Saludos, MadridMan

MM, Operación Triunfo singers were known specially because they were the few ones who ALWAYS sung live. It's kind of their 'make'.

However, they are beginning to sing with playback, maybe this is why they do it so badly: lack of experience.

hey everybody

and why would that be?
i noticed that too
i also noticed that operacion truinfo is only broadcast on tve.i think its on la 2.

They don't have Operación Triunfo on TVEi (thank god!) but they do have lots of nice specials about the regions of Spain as I've documented earlier in this thread.

Right now I'm enjoying one about the flora and fauna of La Sierra de los Gredos (mountains west and not far from Madrid in Castilla y León). I really didn't know anything about them other than it was one of the locations in Ernest Hemingway's For Whom The Bell Tolls which takes place in 1937 during Spain's Civil War.

I LOVE THESE PROGRAMS!! I can certainly do without the talk shows and game shows but THESE are especially satisfying for someone (like me!) who longs to be in Spain.

<insert long sigh here...> Saludos, MadridMan

P.S. I just watched (or had it on the TV while working on the computer) an hour of coverage of today's stage of La Vuelta de España (annual multi-stage bicycle race across Spain September 4-26, 2004). That was pretty cool! Today they went from Málaga to Granada and at one point there was a dog running alongside leaders for about 500 meters! Poor thing was unable to escape the barricades along the route.

La Vuelta de España - English version available!

We have seen alot of Antena 3 International recently (thanks to our digital cable).

Casi Perfectos is a really good show. I just went to the Antena 3 website.

http://www.antena3.com/

It looks like most of the Spanish shows appear on the international channel.

Any other Antena 3 recommendations?

Wow! That's great, caminante. The Antena3 Internacional info is @ http://www.antena3tv.com/internacional/ . In the USA, it's only available in New York & Miami. Maybe it'll be picked up by more cable companies soon.

Saludos, MadridMan

Caminante, you MUST to see "Aqui no hay quien viva", maybe one of the bests tv shows made in Spain ever!!! It's breaking TV viewing records!

It's available on Antena 3 International.

http://www.antena3tv.com/aqui

Can someone please post a comprehensive list of which cable satellite providers offer Spanish (as in Spain) television?

Mil gracias.

I happened to wake up early (4:30 a.m. :eek ) and decided to do some things on the computer and turned on TVEi. On it is one of those shows where there happen to be two women sitting around a glass coffee table talking and showing video clips of Spanish stars/personalities being followed on the streets or videotaped from afar at some nightclub or the like. I really don't care for these programs but it is interesting to me to see what some Spaniards enjoy and, maybe, to learn more about the Spanish culture and psyche.

Saludos, MadridMan

there is abig debate this days about that "prensa del corazón", aka "televisión basura", because many people is fed up with it.

Not all "televisión basura" is "prensa del corazón", but all "prensa del corazón" is "televisión basura". Unfortunately, the Government has taken advantage to try once again to ban all that they consider unapropiate for kids till 10 p.m., which means that if you want to have a good film you have to begin to see it the hour you'd have to begin to sleep to be fit for tomorrow's workday.

Althought there are women that don't like that and men who do, this matter is very segmented in spanish population. Women use to love it, and most men use to despice it and be fed up with it. Like with "Gran Hermano" type shows.

Ignacio wrote: I've read about that and I have mixed feelings about it. In one way, yes, these programs probably do not benefit the society in any useful, enriching way but people are "hungry" to know what the stars are doing everyday. But on the other hand, censoring the press/TV of these shows which show no nudity or have no violence, whether they're trash or not, probably does infringe upon the rights of the citizens. I suppose there's a fine line where government should or should not legislate or regulating what's moral and useful information for its citizens.

This particular program is called "Por Mañana", all talking about weddings and showing clips of "reporters" asking questions to stars in Barajas airport, on the street, on the beach, etcetera. What a bother! But I suppose, in some way, it keeps people interested in these people and keeps the citizens buying tickets to these "stars'" concerts, movies, watching their TV shows, etcetera.

Saludos, MadridMan

Well, it's the fish biting it's own tail. It feeds a hunger, and through promoting this culture of gossip on stars or famous people, they stimulate that hunger.

Wow. I'm here giggling like a fool. RIGHT NOW I'm watching on TVEi LIVE video of the traffic exiting Madrid (and around Spain) of the "atascos"/traffic-jams beginning the "Puente"/long-weekend in Spain. They're talking about traffic issues all over Spain but it absolutely THRILLS me that from here, in Columbus, Ohio, USA, I can see LIVE video of traffic just outside of Madrid. It's like looking out the window! Ridiculous, yes, that it thrills me but it does.

And NOT thrilled that it happened, it fascinates me that I'm able to watch/follow news coverage of the situation with the 5 bombs at gas stations outside of Madrid which took place last night.

On Friday nights they show more-or-less-modern movies made in/from Spain. I always look forward to these.

Saludos, MadridMan

This morning I've been watching the annual holiday traditions on TVEi like buying of Turrón (almond, chocolate kind of candy popular at this time), SHOPPING at Madrid's newly transformed, old train station of Princípe Pío, training for the children to call out the numbers/money for the holiday Lottery as well as its history and interviews with some of the ORIGINAL callers of the lottery, and other related things. It's SO interesting!

I WISH I COULD BE IN SPAIN FOR CHRISTMAS EVE!! I've never experienced this or the relative calm of the following Christmas Day. Must be something interesting. Something special.

Saludos, MadridMan

One great detail about principe pio is that since it's a railway facility, the shopping center is free from opening shedule limitations....thus it's opened everyday .

I agree that TVE is not always the best of Spanish TV, but I enjoy the international version anyway. For those of us whose cable services do not offer TVE-i, it's also available as a subscription item for viewing online via www.jumptv.com. My understanding it that the high-bandwidth version is more PC-friendly than it is Mac-friendly.

COOOOL! :ccol: I'm watching NOW the "Lotería Nacional" on TVEi! I've never seen this lottery live before. The children call out the hundreds of numbers which roll into a bowl in fast sequence. I imagine this will be on TV most of the morning. I just called a friend in Madrid and she said she was not watching the lottery because the constant mantra of the calling, in her words, "me ponga nerviosa".

I LOVE begin able to watch all these annual Christmas holiday traditions on TVEi!!

Saludos, MadridMan

Hi everyone! I also agree with some people on this thread........the spanish channels that we receive on the east coast are only from South and Central American Countries....I also would like to have channels from Spain because then you get differant points of view than those that the "other" channels have portrayed and of course the accents,I loooooooooooove the various accents from all over Latin America and actually I'm turning into a really good country guesser!!!

By the way I have Comcast...If I ask them for the TVEi...Do you guys think I could get it?

ninas wrote: I'm certain they won't give it to you just because YOU ask. They'll have to get hundreds (if not thousands) of requests before they'll consider adding it to their latino lineup but they won't offer JUST that channel as a single add-on, no. Your best chance is that TVEi MIGHT be included in their Latino package (if they have one) like they do with mine. I pay an extra $9/month for the 15+ Spanish-language channels but I really only ever watch the one from Spain, TVEi.

Saludos, MadridMan

That sounds like too much work for me!!

Oh well,I'll just have to settle for Univision and Cuentavision..............

ninas wrote: Can't be too difficult to visit your cable company's website to see if they even offer a Latino Package with TVEi included. At least you'll know for sure and can put your mind at ease. For me, just having the Madrid, Spain-based news available to me is well worth the $9/month.

Saludos, MadridMan

Well... I am going to ask my local cable company if they offer it but if they don't I'll just have to settle.

Just saw on TVEi that María Martín, middle-aged woman in Madrid, came home to her flat to find a drunken, sleeping robber under her bed! She re-enacted the scene for the TVE camera. How funny but what a shock! I had to wonder why the robber, who entered through the kitchen window on the 3rd floor , didn't sleep ON TOP of the bed instead of under it! Well, he was drunk so who knows.

Saludos, MadridMan

Yeah! This thread inspired me to seek out TVEi here in San Diego. I looked on Tuesday, and by Thurs. I was watching Cuentame!
Anyone interested in So.Cal, it's available through Directtv. latino package!

Woo Hoo! That's GREAT news, laduque! Isn't it absolutely fantastic to be able to watch TV + news from Spain?

Hey MM, it is soooo fabulous to watch everyday, even though some shows I would never seek out in English, but in Castellano, it's a totally different thing!

Yep, I recently got the dish network. I get this channel HITN. It carries news and old shows from spain. Mostly madrid and basque country.

I'm loving watching a program called "Esto es Vida" where a few people sit around a TV monitor and talk about topics of life.

Tonight's topic is THE WEATHER! Ha! I have to chuckle watching them talk about how affected was Spain, Madrid, Soria, Burgos, etcetera by the recent snowfall and the low-temperatures. We have more snow outside of my window RIGHT NOW and I'm still driving to work everyday without problem. Now Burgos, THAT was something REALLY SPECTACULAR, to be sure, but the "dust" of snow they had in Madrid? And the low temperatures? PUH-LEASE!!! hehehe..

I'm just happy to have TVEi and to see AND HEAR the programs, the news, the specials, etcetera. Makes me feel like I'm in my own little "Spain Bubble" right here in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Saludos, MadridMan

For the few of you whom have TVEi, Los Premios Goya (GOYA AWARDS - Annual Spanish Movie Awards) are shown LIVE this afternoon at 4pm Eastern USA time or 10pm mainland Spain time. Can't wait!!! Wow, I'm THRILLED to be able to watch these awards LIVE!!! Hahahaha... I can't believe it. Wonderful!

Saludos, MadridMan

MadridMan is in heaven once again. Another program on Galicia is being shown on TVEi. Just heavenly. For an hour now I've been seeing the hillsides, vineyards, lakes, rivers, convents, and small villages of BEAUTIFUL Galicia. The program on TVEi is called "Galicia Para el Mundo". They have a website too @ http://www.GaliciaParaElMundo.com .

While not suprising, it's a shame more "outsiders" (i.e. non-Spaniards) aren't visiting this incredibly green, nature-filled region of Spain. Thank goodness I have TVEi!!

Saludos, MadridMan

I think that TVEi is great, if not the best international channel in Spanish (meaning cultural content, reliable news and entertainment programs). I used to watch it a lot. Now in Kansas City, I can’t see it and had to settle for Univision. I think TVEi has more “class” than other Spanish-language TV chains in the U.S.

For example, Univision still has a long way to go. They mostly show old programs from Venevision (Venezuela) and movies and soap operas produced by Televisa (Mexico...Ok, Ok...I admit it, I am watching 'Apuesta por un Amor' on Univison ). Also, Univision’s own shows always have to show women wearing bikinis. I still want to see a woman giving the weather forecast on Univision wearing a formal suit, like in TVE. Have you also noticed that? I agree, women are beautiful, but don’t make them your main selling product.

The other good thing is that once in a while TVE produces documentaries from others countries of the world, especially from Latin-America and shows quality movies from the whole Spanish-speaking world. In addition, last year the Spanish government designated a group of people to make a plan that improves TVE. So it is supposed to get even better.

Finally, remember that TVEi mostly caters to the international community interested in Spain, not to people living in Spain. So in this regard I consider TVEi is doing a good job.

I'M SCREWED! No more TVEi for MadridMan! Seems my cable company has REMOVED TVEi and replaced it with a channel from Mexico (52MX). I'm SO disappointed! I even called to complain to my cable company but they really can't do anything except pass along my complaint. OH MAN! I'm SO UPSET!! And SO SAD!! No more News from Madrid! No more live video! No more of those wonderful Sunday tourism programs about Galicia!! No more Spanish movies on Saturday nights! No more ANYTHING from Spain! JUST KILL ME, WHY DON'TCHA?! Sheeeesh!! Wow. That's REALLY upsetting. TVEi was just about the ONLY TV I ever watch!

This thread started 11 months ago and at my first posting I didn't think it'd get much attention. Wow, was I wrong. A lot of it was just me sharing my excitement with a program I'd just seen but many of you shared that excitement with me. I had TVEi on ALL WEEKEND LONG as I worked away on the computer.

So upset, disappointed, depressed.

I'm sorry MM. I think you can also get it through Dish Network.

http://www.idishnetwork.com/programming_dishlatino.php

Thanks, jabch. I'd consider that if I didn't live in an apartment complex where dishes aren't allowed. Guess I'm back to just watching Andalusian TV on the internet. Not quite the same. I always squirmed in my chair when the newsperson on TVEi would start the news saying, "Hola y buenos dias desde Madrid". <heavy sigh... >

Saludos, MadridMan

No to be dramatic, but tell us how this happended. You turned on you tv and suddenly something looked different or they sent you a letter, or what?

jabch, it was the former. I turned on the TV last night to my channel 962. The onscreen channel guide still showed it to be TVEi and the program name was GENTE - one I've seen MANY times, hosted by the $#%^&!@ gorgeous Sonia Ferrer (schwing!!) and what I SEE is an upper-righthand corner channel graphic showing 52MX in a small box. The program showing at that time was one based IN Madrid but I didn't recognize the name (and can't remember it now) so I thought it was just a new show since the onscreen channel guide for TVEi is almost ALWAYS wrong anyway. After the program, a drama/sitcom (which takes place at a kind of newspaper office) was over there was some unusual video graphics, naming MX52 as the channel, then came some news spoken in Mexican Spanish about somethings in Mexico. At first I thought TVEi was just branching out or that this hour was being "leased" by this particular channel. NOPE. It went on and on, showing Mexican baseball scores, video of soccer games, and other things.

There was no letter - unless it was in the stacks of apparent junk mail they include with the monthly bill. The woman on the phone said that sometimes these changes are made without warning and the update hadn't yet taken place on the onscreen channel guide.

What a terrible disappointment to have that DIRECT CONNECTION TO SPAIN pulled out from under me. Those programs on Galicia were so wonderful on the weekends and the movies, while not always of the highest quality, THEY WERE FROM SPAIN! I could rely on SEEING the news daily about what's going on in Spain, in Madrid, and even world politics from Spain's point of view (or at least from TVEi's point of view). So that's that. How sad I am.

Saludos, MadridMan

Sorry about your sad loss MM - I certainly would be very disappointed if this happened to me. If you don't feel up to the channels from Andalucia, then try this link (it might make you feel more "at home"): http://212.80.167.233/emisora2
Enjoy
Robbieroy

Hey, thanks!

I was aware of http://212.80.167.233/emisora1 , which is TeleMadrid's "La Otra", but what is http://212.80.167.233/emisora2 ? I mean, is it TeleMadrid "Proper"? From the graphics shown in the background it is "La Otra" - which I already have listed on the " MadridMan\'s Radio, TV, Music, & Movies " page.

What's the difference between the two? I doubt "La Otra" has TWO individual channels. Also, I know that "La Otra" does not broadcast 24-hours and is mainly a music-related station.

Saludos, MadridMan

Hi MM -
The good news is that they two links provide access to DIFFERENT transmissions. This morning, your link for La Otra was showing a test card, whilst the second link was showing sports news.
I think that this is the REAL DEAL - Telemadrid Sat.
Their home page is: http://www.telemadrid.es/ and on this page you can see links to La Otra BUT ALSO to Telemadrid.
Their programme schedule can be accessed at http://www.telemadrid.es/rejilla/programacion.asp
Now looking at their schedule for tomorrow (Monday), you will see programmes like:

07:00 TELENOTICIAS MATINAL
Presentado por Álvaro Santos de lunes a viernes y de 7:00 a 7:30 horas, proporciona al espectador información útil referente al tráfico, sucesos, tiempo o repaso de la prensa, además de las últimas noticias.

09:30 BUENOS DIAS, MADRID
La información matinal de primera mano, en un magazine informativo conducido por ALIPIO GUTIÉRREZ y BEGOÑA TORMO. Información meteorológica: ANTONIO LÓPEZ; Información deportiva: CHUS GALÁN.

14:00 TELENOTICIAS PRIMERA EDICIÓN

Presentado por Víctor Arribas y Susana Pfingsten, ofrece una primera parte, más amplia, dedicada a la información regional y de Madrid, y una segunda, que aborda las noticias nacionales e internacionales.

16:00 GRAN VIA DE MADRID
Hoy, entrevista a ANA BOTELLA. También se hará un homenaje a la pareja irrepetible JUANITO NAVARRO y QUIQUE CAMOIRAS. Presenta, Marta Robles.

18:00 MADRID DIRECTO
Programa informativo de reportajes y conexiones en directo que presenta INMACULADA GALVÁN. El equipo del programa acerca a los madrileños las últimas noticias de cultura, espectáculo, ocio, medicina, naturaleza, actualidad.

I often watch this channel, and have seen very little in the way of music videos.

Regards
Robbieroy

Thanks for those programming details, robbieroy. I'm watching TeleMadrid SAT NOW! From the programming link you posted above for Monday, the hours of regular programming of TeleMadrid does seem to be 24 hours. I'll watch first thing tomorrow morning to see if it corresponds to the programming. Can't wait!

Not sure why, but the video sometimes turns green (and upside down!) until I STOP/START the Windows Media Player (latest version).

And HEY!! Maybe THEY'LL broadcast the REAL MADRID games live!!?!?!?!!?! That'd be GREAT!! Tomorrow, on Monday's programming page, they are playing a RETRANSMISSION of the REAL MADRID B-ZARAGOZA B. match (not sure what the "B" is there).

I've added the link to Multimedia Page and AT LEAST I can watch Madrid TV during the evening and on the weekends! That's GREAT! THANKS SO VERY VERY VERY VERY MUCH, robbieroy. You're the best!!

Saludos, MadridMan

Real Madrid B is the "farm" team of Real Madrid.This is where the younger players that are brought up by the club get to play until they are ready to be called up by the "big team".They get to play in one of the lesser division leagues like Segunda Division B or Tercera Division.

A similar comparison would be,what the Columbus Clippers is to the New York Yankees.

I MISS MY TVEi!!!! Wow, how I loved watching those beautifully produced weekend programs on Galicia (and many other regions of Spain), watching the live video/news everyday, and many other things I miss dearly. What a shame they "RIPPED" TVEi from my cable lineup.

But those programs on Galicia... Mmmm.... Wonderful.

Saludos, MadridMan

MadridMan:

Comcast did that to me, too, here in Chicago. I was so distraught that I went out and got DirectTV the next day!

When I cancelled with Comcast, I told them the reason they were losing a 7-year customer is because they took away the best channel in the lineup!

I could not do without my frequent glimpses of hottie Alex Casademunt on the Saturday night variety shows.