| Canal Maximo Televisión | |
| Type: | Terrestrial television network |
| Country: | Venezuela |
| Area: | Caracas, Barquisimeto, San Cristóbal, Calabozo, Puerto Ordaz, and all of the Miranda and Zulia States |
| Tvtransmitters: | 51 (Caracas, Barquisimeto, and all of the Miranda State) 43 (Calabozo, Puerto Ordaz, and all of the Zulia State) 21(San Cristóbal) |
| Former Names: | Canal Metropolitano Televisión |
| Owner: | Grupo U.P. Constructora Pedeca, C.A. |
| Key People: | Dr. Umberto Petricca Zugaro, owner & founder |
| Founder: | Umberto Petricca Zugaro |
| Website: | CMT |
Canal Maximo Televisión (CMT) was a Venezuelan free-to-air television network that was seen on UHF channel 51 in the metropolitan area of Caracas, Barquisimeto, and the Miranda State, channel 43 in Calabozo, Puerto Ordaz, and the Zulia State, and channel 21 in San Cristóbal.
In 1993, Umberto Petricca Zugaro founded Canal Metropolitano Televisión (CMT) and received government authorization to begin its testing phase. It was one of the first television stations to broadcast on an ultra high frequency (UHF) channel in Venezuela. Their studios were located in the Caracas neighborhood of Los Cortijos de Lourdes.
In their first year, CMT was on the air five hours a day (6:00 pm to 11:00 pm) and reached 75% of the city of Caracas from a transmitter located in the neighborhood of Colinas de los Caobos.
In 1995, CMT began broadcasting 18 hours a day and moved to their studios in Boleíta Norte.[1]
In 1999, Canal Metropolitano Televisión changed its name to Canal Maximo Televisión, but kept the CMT branding.
In 2000, CMT inaugurated a powerful satellite teleport, enabling it to send its signal to other areas of the country.
In 2001, CMT increased their reach by way of a satellite. Their signal began to arrive in San Cristóbal (channel 21), Barinas (under the name Telellanos), Calabozo, Puerto Ordaz, and on small cable companies.
CMT received the broadcasting rights for Miss Global Venezuela 2006 and Miss Global International 2006; however, on December 11, 2006, the installations of this channel were purchased by the Venezuelan government so that teleSUR could broadcast over the air in parts of the country.[2] [3] [4] [5] CMT did not possess a wide network, nor a high quality of broadcasting, and since it is such a small channel when compared to other media outlets in the country, it wasn't included in the channel roster of the vast majority of cable TV providers. They also lacked a website, since the domain CMT[6] was put on sale a while back.
CMT, as well as other television networks in Venezuela, was accused of participating in the coup d'état against President Hugo Chávez.[7]