Guatemala
GUATEMALA lies between Mexico and Honduras on the Central American isthmus.
Profile
| Country Number (N/K) | ||
| Region | Central America | |
| Television commenced | 1956 | |
| Colour System | 1970 | NTSC |
| Language/s | Spanish | Dubbed |
Television Stations / Channels
Guatemala began its television service in 1956.
In 1979, the country had four different broadcasting services. By 1980 there were five.
Language/s
The principal language of Guatemala is Spanish. Foreign television programmes are dubbed into Spanish.
DOCTOR WHO IN GUATEMALA
In Spanish-language countries, the series was known as Doctor Misterio.
However there is some uncertainty as to whether Doctor Who did screen in this country.
BBC Records
In DWM, Guatemala is identified in 20 story Archives, all Tom Baker stories from his first four seasons 4A to 4Z, with the exception of three - 4C, 4L, 4S - which is probably an oversight rather than an indication that these three didn't air (the same three Archives also omit Brazil). The year of sale is given as 1979; this is based on Music Clearance records, which indicate the sale was made in March 1979.
The Eighties - THE LOST CHAPTERS records a sale of "(24)" stories (by 10 February 1987).
This may be an error, as only 23 Tom Baker stories were in the package. If there indeed were 24, it is not known what the other story was. (See also Honduras and Nicaragua, which also have a sale of 24 stories recorded.)
Stories bought and broadcast
Tom Baker?
Presumably: 23 stories, 98 episodes
Guatemala was offered and potentially bought the standard package of Tom Baker stories in Spanish that were distributed by Time-Life.
- For the Spanish story titles, go to: SPANISH
Origin / Fate of the Tapes?
Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela and Nicaragua all screened Tom Baker stories in Spanish around the same time.
Transmission
TV listings
We have checked Guatemalan newspapers from 1978 to 1985, but despite comprehensive listings for all five channels, there was no sign of any listings for "Dr Misterio".
Despite all the political turmoil that the country and isthmus were experiencing in the late 1970s / early 1980s, several British shows, such as Los Muppets and Los Pallisers were screening on Guatemalan television at the time, so it's unlikely that that sale and scheduling of Doctor Who got lost in the confusion...
The first of the two Peter Cushing Dalek movies – billed as "El Dr Misterio y los Daleks" - did air (dubbed?) on Canal 13, on Saturday, 12 December 1981, from 7.00 to 9.00pm, but other than that, there were no listings for the television series. (The movie had previously been billed under that same title in Argentina.)
During 1981, Canal 7 did have a generic "Programa Infantil" (Childrens' Programme) between 3.30 and 4.30pm every week day. It's possible that Doctor Who aired as part of that hour.
It's possible that the initial 1979 offer – when distribution of Doctor Who to that region had only just started - was subsequently cancelled, which is why no airdates can be located.
Due to the lack of airdates, we have not included Guatemala in the Story Lists or any other tables.
PAUL McGANN
The 1996 TV Movie may have been available via the HBO OLE cable station in 1999.
