Rede Tupi was the first Brazilian television station to operate a network and based in the city of São Paulo. Launched on September 18, 1950 by journalist and businessman Assis Chateaubriand, who also controlled several other media outlets, it finally folded on July 18, 1980.
Fernanda Montenegro and Nathália Timberg would star in all the teleplays, and the simple announcement of their names in the newspapers was a reason for guaranteed viewership.