Although American TV viewers are accustomed to seeing/ hearing local IDs, news, and commercials regularly, local ID information is not common on most TV stations around the world--including those in Mexico. Mexico's network relayers have little in common with the average network affiliate in the United States. American network affiliates are generally full-power, full-service stations that run many local IDs, local newscasts, local weather reports, and local advertising. Mexico's network relayers, on the other hand, don't generally do anything more than repeat network programming 24/7. Most relayers are automated (unmanned) facilities consisting of satellite reception equipment to receive the network feed, a transmitter, a tower, and equipment to process the signal. Some of these repeaters also have equipment to insert local superimposed text IDs and local commercials. That is it: No studios, no local news, etc. Therefore, most of the IDs seen on many relayers are for the network-origination flagship stations in Mexico City.

The superimposed text ID is Mexico's most common type of local ID. They generally come up for a few seconds at thirty minute intervals, but not always on the TOH or half-hour. Watch for these IDs in the corners of the screen, as well as the top and bottom of the screen. The IDs can be as simple as "XHMEN-TV" or as long as four short lines of text listing calls, location, and time/date. These IDs are used by network relayers and some non-network independent stations. In addition to text IDs, independent stations air fancy animated IDs, local ads, and local news.

Many locations listed on supered text IDs are spots on mountains. Unlike TV station IDs in the US, which emphasize city of service, many Mexico TV IDs (like those in Europe) list the transmitter site location. These are some common ID locations: Las Lajas (Jalapa/Veracruz), Palma Sola (Tehuantepec OAX), and Cerro Burro MICH. Thanks to Jeff Kruszka for finding some of these locations.

MULTI-CHANNEL STATIONS (Same station, different channel) and MULTI-TRANSMITTER STATIONS (Same channel, different transmitter site): Due to Mexico's rough terrain in some areas, many local TV stations in Mexico have low-power and high-power relay stations (translators) in other cities (separated by mountains) on the same or different channels. Some of these stations insert a small local ID at the transmitter site listing that specific transmitter site, rather than carrying the key stations's ID. For example, XHWX-4 Monterrey has Monterrey listed on its ID as location, while related station XHWX-4 Saltillo has Saltillo listed on its ID.

UNOFFICIAL STATIONS (or stations that nobody knows exist): Some network relayers are not on any official lists. These stations are generally connected to another, larger station on the same channel in a near-by city, generally separated by mountains. (See Multi-Channel Stations/Multi-Transmitter Stations, above.) Thanks to Fernando Garcia for confirming that these stations do indeed exist.

Local TV advertising is big business in the U.S. and Canada, but local commercials are few and far between on Mexico TV. Non-network independents run local ads, as do some big city network relayers. Network relayers in northern Mexico air more local ads than stations in southern parts of Mexico.

Azteca-13 (except XHIT-4 Chihuahua, which airs all programs one hour behind)
1500 Hechos
2200 Hechos

A DIFFERENT KIND OF STATION: These stations and mini-networks are owned primarily by state governments and universities. They run educational/cultural programming similar to the US PBS network. Some are independent, while others relay Mexico's ONCE network (see below). XHLQR-7 Chetumal QROO, for example, relays ONCE on a part-time basis. Mexico's educational stations generally air commercials. XHGV-4 Veracruz (RTV) and XHNQR-5 Cancun are the most frequently received stations in this category at my location.

NATIONAL NETWORKS: Two companies operate Mexico's major national networks from Mexico City: Televisa and TV Azteca. There is also a small cultural/educational network known as ONCE. Televisa networks and TV Azteca networks display a small logo bug upper right during most programs. Once has a logo upper right contains difficult to read writting. It actually looks like a text ID.

For more network information see Logos page