Mexico. The Federal Institute of Telecommunications, IFT, delivered updated information, at the end of 2021, of the broadcasting sector, which includes the Sound Broadcasting Services (SRS) and Broadcast Television (STR), which can be consulted in the Telecommunications Information Bank (BIT).
The update of the data covers the period from 2020 to 2021; both services include information on channel availability and coverage, the economic interest groups involved, as well as the levels of concentration in different geographical areas.
Key findings of this update include:
Sound Broadcasting Service
At the end of 2021, the number of concessions in force in the national territory for radio service increased to one thousand 945. In concessions for non-commercial use, 14 were granted for public use, 16 for social use, 8 for community use and 2 for indigenous use, between 2020 and 2021.
At the end of 2021, most of the states had a greater number of Sound Broadcasting stations compared to 2020. Guanajuato, Michoacán and Veracruz stand out with 4 additional stations, in each of these entities.
Radio continues to be one of the most important means of communication, given its wide coverage; in particular, 96% of the population lives in localities with AM coverage.
There are about 294 different commercial suppliers. In the updated period, Radiorama, Grupo ACIR, Multimedios, Grupo Fórmula, Radio Centro and Grupo MVS have remained the main suppliers of commercial SRS nationwide in terms of stations and coverage.
Broadcast Television Service
61 concessions for public use and 7 concessions for social use were granted, including one for community social use. In addition, the concessions granted; 2 commercial and 4 public stations started operations.
Compared to 2020, at the end of 2021 20 additional stations are identified that make use of multiprogramming.
In 13 states, the number of STR programming channels covering more than 50% of the population of each entity was increased. The states with the highest increase are Puebla and Chiapas, with 5 each.
At the national level, the coverage of the STR for commercial use increased from 90% to 92% of the population, while that of public and social use decreased by 1.8 percentage points, going from 75.4% to 73.6% of the population (considering both uses).
The Preponderant Economic Agent of Broadcasting remained the main provider in terms of stations and coverage; however, in 2021, 4 dealers ceased to be part of such an agent.
The updated databases for both services in the broadcasting sector can be consulted and downloaded from the BIT by clicking here.
