The National Radio and Television Award is the highest recognition granted in both media in Cuba to those deserving of such distinction for their lifetime body of work. Established in 2002 under Resolution 56/02 of the ICRT, it recognizes artistic sector workers. With October 24, 1950, considered the founding date of Television in Cuba, the annual award for this medium is presented on each anniversary.

A prestigious jury—composed mostly of National Award winners and experienced media professionals—selected the recipient based on proposals, résumés, long career trajectory, and significant contributions to Cuban Television. The selection jury was chaired by José Ramón Artigas Vázquez, with members Miguel Lino Patterson Meriño, Julio Pulido Castillo, Roberto Cornelio Ferguson, Julián Armando Pérez Delgado, and Caridad Rojas Zayas, with Migdalia Pérez as secretary.

Consequently, the Directorate of the Institute of Information and Social Communication, evaluating her career trajectory, the scope of her work, and public impact, approved the 2026 National Television Award for actress Paula Andrea Alí Rivera.

Paula Andrea Alí Rivera, born January 26, 1938, in Candelaria, Pinar del Río, is a renowned Cuban actress with over six decades of work in Cuban television, theater, and film. She began her career in 1959 as a television model. In 1965, she joined the Teatro Martí, a landmark venue for vernacular and bufo theater. At 88, Paula Alí remains a reference of professionalism and passion for the arts, inspiring new generations of Cuban artists.

She has appeared in numerous telenovelas, telefilms, theater-for-television productions, and comedy series, including the popular humor show Punto G. Her most emblematic telenovelas include Enamorada del mar (1989), Retablo personal (1992), Las huérfanas de la Obrapía (1999), Salir de noche (2002), ¡Oh, La Habana! (2007), La otra esquina (2014), Vuelve a mirar (2021), and Los hijos de Pandora (2022). Memorable theater-for-television performances include La casa de Bernarda Alba (1999) and Santa Camila de La Habana Vieja (2001). She also starred in telefilms such as El almendrón, Dos Romeos para una Julieta, and Sofía y el ángel, among others, and in comedy shorts like Jura decir la verdad and Sherlock Holmes.

In theater, she has performed with Teatro Estudio since 1970 and more recently with El Público under Carlos Díaz, notably in La Celestina. Her extensive stage career includes works such as La casa de Bernarda Alba, El Premio Flaco, Milanés, Aire frío, Santa Camila de La Habana Vieja, Yerma, La gaviota, and Monólogos de la vagina, among many others. Her film credits include Cartas del Parque, Guantanamera, Lista de espera, Miel para Ochún, and Perfecto amor equivocado, among others.

She has toured Portugal, Yugoslavia, Spain, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia. Her awards include the Segismundo Prize (1990), UNEAC Prize (1990), Caracol Prize (1994), Best Actress at the Cartagena Film Festival (2003) for Nada, the Distinction for National Culture, the Raúl Gómez García Medal, the Merit Artist of Radio and Television (2012), and the Pequeña Pantalla Prize (2021).