A Cuban family watches a soap opera on the local TV channel in Havana. Cuban television is proud of the educational contents of its programs including some national soap operas, although it doesn't find contradictory the fact of showing US series as "New York Police Department". AFP PHOTO

The US series and the soap operas, known as "telenovelas", draw a faithful audience.

But the education-oriented programs, which may seem dull by western standards, also have their fans in a country that boasts high education levels and a 98-percent literacy rate.

"The particularity here is that everything is a public service," says Mayra Cue, a television historian.

"The idea is not to make money with television but to educate," she says.

Of the four channels, Cubavision is the most popular, Telerebelde has the most sports programs and the two educational channels run lengthy historical documentaries, debates on health issues, chemistry lessons and chess tips.

For political fare, Cuba has the Mesa Redonda (round table), where a panel that closely toes the party line discusses news, science and culture.

But the real TV blockbusters are the telenovelas, most locally produced with very limited means, and some imported and carefully picked for content.

"The foreign novelas are chosen for their cultural, ethical or musical values," says Magda Gonzalez, the movie director who heads Cuban television's drama division.

For example, "The Woman of Destiny", a Brazilian soap opera currently running on Cuban television, "promotes music and identity. In the clash between spiritual and material values, the former wins," she says.

Visitors to the Caribbean island might be surprised by the late-night offerings, that include US fantasy series like "Lost" and detective dramas such as "Law and Order".

Some controversial topics are more readily accepted in imported fare, because Cubans don not identify with the foreign locations, says Gonzalez.

"For example, it is less controversial to show a US or French film that addresses homosexuality than if the movie were produced here," she explains.

Last year's broadcast of a local telenovela that talked of AIDS and portrayed a bisexual family father had drawn sharp criticism from some viewers who thought the series was too crude for the Cuban small screen.

But its screen writer, Freddy Dominguez, insists that a series addressing AIDS "as a social issue linked to behavior" fits perfectly in Cuban television's role to "educate, transmit messages, amuse and provoke thought".

Gonzalez plans to broadcast other series that address a number of social issues, including corruption. "In order to end them, one has to show negative issues on television," she says.

She admits competition from pirated videos and foreign television programs received through illegal satellite dishes, are forcing Cuban television to modernize its style, says Gonzalez.

Mario Masvidal, a professor in sociology and communication, says this may eventually lead to authorities losing some of their tight control of the message they wish to transmit, and fuel more criticism of the system.

"Everyone wants improvements because television is outdated in its style and thinking that reflect the point of view of the broadcaster in its educational, ideological and indoctrination role, rather than the demands of the audience," says Masvidal.

But, "by changing the form, one ends up changing the content," he says.