Gabon Television, originally known as RTG 1, is a general-interest channel launched in May 1963 by President Léon Mba. Started with the mission "To inform, educate, and entertain," its very first broadcast aired on the evening of May 9, featuring speeches from political figures and the country's first-ever TV news segment.
In its early years, the channel relied on technical support from France, while Gabonese staff went to study at top media schools in France and Africa to sharpen their skills. Color TV was eventually introduced in late 1975. When a second channel (RTG 2) was created in 1977, the original channel was renamed RTG 1.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, the station grew by partnering with major media outlets like the BBC and CFI to air international content alongside its own local productions. Today, the team has expanded to include over 200 journalists and correspondents working globally.
Between 2005 and 2010, the government heavily invested in modernizing the station. They built a brand-new headquarters called the Georges Rawiri House and upgraded the entire system from old analog technology to high-quality digital sound and video. The channel was officially renamed Gabon Television in 2012.