The Pay-TV Law and the New Brazilian Mediascape

Abstract

This chapter establishes Brazil’s 2011 Pay-TV Law (Law 12.485/11) as the marker of the onset of the new, still-developing Brazilian mediascape. The chapter outlines the major tenets of the Pay-TV Law while also situating its development and adoption within the larger political milieu beginning in 1990. By analyzing a wide array of data during the period between 1990 and 2018 and by emphasizing the increased presence of independent production companies, the number of hours produced, the number of distribution channels, funding sources, and the uptick in the creation of series, the analysis reveals the significant extent to which the Brazilian mediascape has expanded and become increasingly competitive since 2011.