El Salvador's media landscape is characterized by concentrated private ownership and limited public broadcasting. The television sector is dominated by Telecorporación Salvadoreña (TCS), which controls five channels and captures approximately 66% of viewership, while print media is controlled by three family-owned business groups: Dutriz, Altamirano, and Borja Bavaria. The sole public television channel, Canal 10, has been reshaped since 2020 toward government messaging rather than independent public media. This concentration produces high political parallelism, where content reflects owners’ interests more than diversity or plurality.
Regulatory Framework & Ownership
The regulatory framework includes the Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET) for spectrum and telecoms and the Direction of Public Broadcasting for content controls. The Superintendency of Competition oversees market concentration. After the 1992 Peace Accords and 1997 telecom privatization, the sector shifted from state control to what observers call “savage deregulation,” enabling close ties between large economic groups and political elites with limited antitrust enforcement.
Digital Growth & Press Freedom
Digital media adoption continues to rise: internet penetration is around 72% and social media usage exceeds 60%, with mobile as the primary access point. At the same time, press freedom has deteriorated since 2019, especially after the 2022 state of emergency. Journalists report increased harassment and self‑censorship, and leading outlets have relocated some operations abroad. This dual reality—strong digital growth yet shrinking civic space—shapes how audiences consume and trust information.
Leading Television Channels
Canal 2 (Telecorporación Salvadoreña)
Canal 2 is one of El Salvador’s leading commercial TV channels, specializing in general entertainment including news, talk shows, dramas, sports, and live event coverage. It is part of TCS, the largest media conglomerate in the country, and known for its broad national reach.
Canal 4 (Telecorporación Salvadoreña)
Canal 4 is a commercial broadcaster focused on entertainment, variety shows, sports, and daily news. It is well regarded for airing both local Salvadoran and international content.
Canal 6 (Telecorporación Salvadoreña)
Canal 6 is a key national channel providing a blend of general entertainment, news, talk shows, children’s programming, and music. It is popular for its family-oriented content and live special broadcasts.
Canal 10 (Televisión de El Salvador)
Canal 10 is the national public service broadcaster. Its programming includes educational content, cultural programs, national news, documentaries, and coverage of government initiatives, serving as a voice for public policy.
Agape TV (Canal 8)
Agape TV focuses on religious programming, cultural features, and community development content. Its mission is to promote Christian values and faith through family-friendly shows and spiritual guidance.
Canal 12 (Red Salvadoreña de Medios)
Canal 12 features national and international news, telenovelas, youth-oriented programs, sports, and entertainment. It is known for its strong news coverage and market-leading telenovelas.
Canal 21 (Grupo Megavisión)
Canal 21 specializes in news analysis, talk shows, youth programming, and entertainment, targeting younger and urban audiences with a modern image and interactive format.
ES24 (El Salvador 24)
ES24 is a FAST digital channel targeting Salvadorans in the US and locally. Its lineup includes daily live newscasts, news analysis, sports coverage, entertainment talk shows, cultural features, and specials focused on Salvadoran traditions.
Tigo Sports
Tigo Sports is a cable-exclusive channel providing live coverage of Salvadoran and international sports events, commentary, local league football matches, and sports news analysis. It is a leading destination for sports fans nationwide.
Canal 33 (Universidad Francisco Gavidia)
Canal 33 focuses on educational and cultural programming, documentaries, university events, and informative series. It supports the academic community and encourages cultural exchange.
Major Radio Broadcasting Networks
Radio Cadena YSKL La Poderosa
Renowned for its live news coverage, sports broadcasting, and talk shows, YSKL is highly regarded for real-time information, especially political and social updates. Its slogan "La Poderosa" reflects its strong on-air presence and influence.
Scan 96.1 FM
This popular station centers on Latin pop music, hits, and contemporary entertainment, providing trending music, celebrity news, and interactive segments that attract a youthful audience.
Radio Fiesta 104.9 FM
Specializing in lively Latin music, tropical rhythms, and vibrant entertainment, Radio Fiesta is well-known for engaging listeners with concerts, contests, and morning shows full of energy.
Globo 93.3 FM
Globo FM delivers a mix of international pop, Top 40 hits, and local music, catering to audiences looking for both global chart-toppers and national talent, with charismatic hosts guiding the flow.
YSY 105.7 FM
Focused on adult contemporary music and talk, YSY 105.7 FM features a blend of current hits and golden classics, plus thoughtful commentary and interviews with local personalities.
VOX 94.5 FM
VOX stands out for its playlist of mainstream hits, entertainment news, and interviews. The station appeals to a wide demographic with dynamic programming and community-focused initiatives.
Laser 92.9 Inglés
Unique for airing international hits in English, especially pop and rock classics, Laser 92.9 Ingles offers audiences a global music perspective and nostalgia alongside up-to-date pop culture content.
La Jefa Radio El Salvador
La Jefa is devoted to Latin and regional Mexican music, with a strong focus on audience participation, cultural programming, and music requests–a favorite among fans of rancheras and cumbia.
Radio Mix El Salvador
This station broadcasts a versatile range of contemporary genres, from Latin pop to reggaeton and electronic, engaging listeners with music charts, interactive contests, and new artist spotlights.
Radio Ranchera El Salvador
The go-to channel for Salvadoran and Mexican ranchera music, Radio Ranchera celebrates traditional culture, folk storytelling, and features exclusive interviews with genre stars.
Media Consumption Patterns & Audience Behavior
Digital Adoption & Platform Use
Mobile-first habits shape daily media consumption. Internet penetration sits near 72% and social media exceeds 60%, with Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram leading reach. Younger Salvadorans rely on messaging apps, short-form video, and creator content, while brands shift budgets toward performance and influencer campaigns. As connectivity improves, streaming grows across smartphones and smart TVs, and audiences toggle between real-time updates and on-demand clips for news, sports, and entertainment.
Traditional Media & Viewing Habits
Television retains broad reach—especially for sports, national events, and nightly news—while radio remains important outside major cities. Older audiences favor linear TV and radio; younger cohorts skew digital. Print readership continues to decline as news moves to mobile, though major dailies still set parts of the agenda. Overall, consumption is hybrid: linear for live moments, digital for convenience and depth, with regional differences narrowing as mobile access expands.
Market Metrics & Industry Statistics
Key media platform penetration and usage in El Salvador (2025)
Platform
Penetration (% Population)
Notable Demographics
Internet
~72%
Highest among youth and in urban areas
Facebook
~71.6%
Majority female; largest cohort ages 25–34
YouTube
~55%
Balanced gender; strongest in under‑35s
Instagram
~29%
Majority female; rapid youth growth
X (Twitter)
~11%
More urban and younger users
TV
~80% (est.)
Strongest among 50+ audiences
Penetration Rates by Media Channel
Internet: ~72% penetration and rising as access broadens.
Social: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram lead; X has smaller but engaged base.
Television: Broad reach; younger users shift to streaming and mobile.
Radio: Important beyond major cities; long‑term decline with mobile growth.
Print: Ongoing readership contraction as news consumption moves to mobile.
Demographic Shifts and Trends
Younger Salvadorans favor mobile social video and interactive formats.
Women over‑index on Facebook and Instagram audiences.
Older cohorts remain more reliant on TV and radio.
Advertising Spend by Platform
Digital: Rapid share gains via mobile‑first, performance, and influencer campaigns.
Social: Captures new budgets due to reach and targeting depth.
TV & Radio: Still used for reach; share declines relative to digital.
Print: Minimal new investment amid audience erosion.
Note: Country‑level spend figures are limited publicly; directionally, sources agree on a shift toward digital.
Viewing: Live vs On‑Demand
Live: Sports, news, national events remain appointment viewing.
On‑demand: Dominant among younger users; short‑form and streaming lead.
Emerging: Creator‑led, localized, and interactive content accelerates the shift.
Media Trust & Consumer Preferences
Trust Levels Across Media Channels
The trust environment has grown more constrained, with weak scores on political indicators of press freedom. Television remains the most widespread medium and draws the largest share of ad spend, while the written press has historically influenced agenda‑setting through political coverage and opinion leadership.
Print’s influence has rested on proximity of newspaper‑owning business groups to political sectors and the distribution of more refined journalism compared with TV and radio. Despite this, newspapers have lost ground in both revenue and readership amid structural shifts.
Preferred Content and Consumption Patterns
Television is the primary source of information and entertainment for many households, with radio often amplifying stories first broken by print and digital outlets. Compared with print journalism, TV content is perceived as lighter, but it delivers unmatched reach for live moments and national narratives.
Digital consumption continues to expand, with social identities in the millions and platform X usage representing roughly 11% of the population. Among adults, usage also grows, reflecting a broader shift toward mobile news, video, and creator‑driven formats across platforms.
