Mexico. After 21 rounds, on August 17, the procedure for the submission of bids for the public tender to concession the use, exploitation and commercial exploitation of 148 television channels for the provision of the public service of digital broadcast television (Tender No. IFT-6).
At the end of the process, bids were received for 32 transmission channels located in 29 different coverage areas, located in 17 states and covering about 45 percent of the country's total population.
As a result of the process, the following was obtained:
- Of the original 148 channels, 32 can be allocated in 17 states.
- The 32 channels cover just over 50.44 million inhabitants, representing about 45% of the country's total population.
- Of the 14 participants, 13 would get at least one TV channel. Of these, four are new to the broadcasting sector in Mexico.
- 22% of the channels were obtained by new competitors in the market.
- The cumulative amount of the highest positions amounts to 1,614 million pesos and the stations could be operating before the end of 2018.
In accordance with the calendar of activities of the bases, the Institute will issue the minutes of judgment that will designate the winning participants in this tender, which will be notified on October 2 and 3 of the current year.
From the day following such notification, a period of 30 working days will run for the winning participants to cover the payment of the consideration corresponding to the lots won, which is a necessary condition for the delivery of the respective concession titles.
As a result of this bidding process, the Mexican audience will be able to count on 32 new television signals, which will promote competition in the free-to-air television sector, offer new alternatives of local and regional content to viewers, and expand opportunities for companies to advertise their products and services.
