A Hong Kong businessman and the
Japanese
Pacific Television Corporation were planning the creation of a terrestrial television station in Macau in 1963; it is unknown when and why it was shelved. In 1979, the
colonial Portuguese government announced that it set up bids for a television station. Three companies were interested. TDM was founded in 1983, and as a public company, took over the control of the existing Rádio Macau stations and, from 1984, would begin its television broadcasts. TDM started broadcasting its television station on May 13, 1984, offering a mix of Portuguese and Cantonese programming between 18:00 and 23:00. It was the first television company to be founded in Macau, with news only being reported via radio broadcasts on stations such as Rádio Macau before they were absorbed into TDM. The company was sold for 50 million
patacas into a
public-private partnership in 1988 following corruption scandals and major financial losses of up to 90 to 100 million patacas a year. In 1990, the Portuguese and Cantonese television operations were split into separate channels, granting each division its own autonomy. TDM ceased analogue transmission from 00:00 on 30 June 2023. TDM's international channel launched on NOS in Portugal on 13 May 2025, the day of the 41st anniversary of TDM's television broadcasts.
2021 broadcasting rules controversy On March 10, 2021, in light of
recent protests in neighbouring
Hong Kong which were followed by the passage of
national security legislation, TDM executives addressed the company on new broadcasting rules requiring the company to promote "patriotism, respect and love" for mainland China and withhold reports critical of the
Chinese government. Several journalists have resigned from the broadcaster as a result of this conflict, with local journalist unions criticizing the rules as a breach of press freedom. Subsequently, the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs
Augusto Santos Silva warned them that press freedom is a part of
Macao Basic Law, stating that the Portuguese government expects the law to be followed.
Chief Executive of Macau Ho Iat-seng denied that press freedom restrictions were being imposed. Following the criticism, TDM's executives stated they would continue to follow their current editorial policy. ==Channels==