the channel was launched on 15 october 2001 as ntv, a cable news channel headquartered in porto. it was originally a joint-venture between pt multimédia, lusomundo and the television broadcaster radiotelevisão portuguesa (the old rtp). in 2003 it was completely acquired by the old rtp, and with the merger between the old rtp and radio broadcaster radiodifusão portuguesa (rdp), forming the new rtp, it became rtpn on 31 may 2004.