TVDXTips.com
Mexico and Latin America TV DX Tips and Logos

Owned, maintained, and copyrighted © 2013 by Danny Oglethorpe, member of Worldwide TV-FM DX Association
Updated December 21, 2012.
MEXICO TV DX ID TIPS / PRIMER

A favorite from 1997: Televisa independent XHG-4 Guadalajara. Don't expect this kind of ID on a Mexico TV network relayer.

WARNING: Due to the fact that Mexico TV stations and networks often make changes in logos, station names, slogans, and programs, some of the information on this page may be outdated. If you see something new, please let me know or report it to the WTFDA Forums Latin America TV DX section.

While the ID photos on this page are outdated, the information is up to date as of April 13, 2013.

The sections of this page with the yellow backgrounds are probably the most important. Please read those, even if you read nothing else.

Logos are property of stations/networks.

Let me know if you find these pages useful.

DON'T BE FOOLED

DON'T BE FOOLED BY:


Some of my observations and conclusions
  1. The major problem DXers have is the mindset that Mexico TV network relayers can be IDed in the same way as U.S. network affiliates.
  2. Most of the stations DXers receive from Mexico are network relayers, with most of those being relayers of XEW-2 and XHGC-5.
  3. It cannot be stressed enough that Mexico network relayers have very little in common with network affiliates in the United States. TV network and station operations, in general, are very different in Mexico.
  4. It appears that some network relayers do not use local supered text IDs or any other kind of IDs. That includes a number of relayers in large markets.
  5. It appears that some network relayers run little or no local advertising
  6. Some stations that usually run supered IDs (including XHQRO-2 Cancun, which runs many local ads) will go for days at a time without showing IDs. I don't know whether this is due to equipment failure or something else.
  7. Sometimes inserter malfunctions allow supered IDs to stay up for minutes, rather than the normal few seconds. I've seen the ID on several stations do this.

IMPORTANT TIPS CONCERNING TELEVISA STATIONS:

Televisa independents and Galavision/Local stations carry some programs from the various Televisa networks. Most are at different times than the network feeds. For example, XHBC-3 runs XEW soap operas with the XEW logo upper right and XELN-4 runs XEW and XHGC programs with the network logos upper right.

FOROtv (XHTV-4) programming is relayed by a number of Televisa independepents on channels 2 - 6 at various times of the day.

A trend in 2011 was that a few Televisa independents and Galavision/Local stations adopted the names "Televisa Station location." When those small ID bugs are superimposed in a corner of the screen it is very difficult to read the tiny location.

Televisa independent XEFE-2 Nuevo Laredo TAM with Canal Cinco logo upper right and the XEFE "2" in a circle logo upper left.

Televisa independent XEFE-2 Nuevo Laredo TAM relaying FOROtv with the "f" logo lower left and upper right, while the XEFE "2" in a circle logo is upper left.

Televisa independent XHBC-3 Mexicali with "Televisa Mexicali" logo on a promo. It is "not" easy to read the Mexicali part when the small bug is in a corner of the screen.

MEXICO TV STATION IDENTIFICATION 101
Typical TV station in Mexico

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.

  • LOCAL PROGRAMMING: A few network relayers air local news, local talk/variety programs, off-network syndicated shows, and full IDs at various times. Relayers with local programming that I have IDed include XHCH-2 Chihuahua (Azteca-13), XHPVE-4 JAL (XHGC-5), XHAGU-2 AGS (XEQ-9), and XHTFL-5 Tepic NAY (XHGC-5). However, this is very rare.

    A DIFFERENT KIND OF STATION: Educational stations and educational 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 Networks section lower down this page). XHLQR-7 Chetumal QROO, for example, relays ONCE on a part-time basis. Mexico's educational stations generally air commercials. Some educational stations run local IDs which feature their own logos. Unfortunately, the ones that relay Once on a full-time basis never run local IDs (not even text IDs.) Easy ID XHGV-4 Veracruz (TV Mas) uses their own logo and text IDs.

    • Local morning show "Hoy Laguna" on Galavision/Local XELN-4 Torreon COAH in 2011. This "Hoy" is not the same as the national program on the XEW network. Other Televisa stations run their own local versions of "Hoy." Galavision/Local XHAE-5 Saltillo airs "Hoy Saltillo."

    TV Mas is the name used by educational station XHGV-4 Las Lajas VER. "TVMAS" is upper left in this photograph (it is sometimes upper right). The "22" logo upper right belongs to channel 22 in Mexico City, the producer of this particlar program.

    Typical local ID on Mexico TV

    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. In fact, the time of many of these IDs drift by as much as a few minutes a day. The ID that airs today at 00:15 and 00:45 may be up at 00:13 and 00:43 or 00:17 and 00:47 tomorrow. 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. (Most independent stations do not run supered text IDs. The exceptions are XEWO-2, XHG-4, and XHAJ-5.)

  • FULL IDS: In the past, a few XEW and Azteca-13 relayers have inserted full IDs (which sometimes feature fancy animation and music) into network programming once in a while. No IDs of this type were received by me in recent years.
  • LOCATION IDS: Some Azteca relayers run full-screen ID slides or animated IDs which feature the station's location. For example, XHIT-4 airs IDs that read, "Azteca Chihuahua" (in addition to supered text IDs).

    • Typical network relayer local ID. XHDI-5 Durango in 2011. Local text ID is upper left, while Canal Cinco network logo is upper right.

    Azteca local, state, and regional IDs are common on some Azteca-7 and Azteca-13 relayers. This is XHPUR-6 Puebla in 2009.

    A state ID from XHLSI-6 Mazatlan SIN in 2011.

    ID locations: City of service or transmitter site?

    Many locations listed on supered text IDs are spots on mountains. Unlike TV station IDs in the US, which emphasize city of service, 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.

    XHURT-5 ID upper right shows "Cerro Burro MICH" as the location. That is a mountain. Official sources put XHURT-5 in Uruapan.

    ID locations: More confusion

    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.
    List of multi-channel and multi-transmitter stations

    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.
    List of unofficial stations

    Multi-transmitter and unofficial:
    XHHLO-5

    LEFT: XHHLO-5 Huajuapan OAX. RIGHT: Sister station XHHLO-5 Tehuacan PUE is not listed on the official government list of licensed stations.

    Local TV commercials

    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.

  • STATION BREAKS: There are no clear-cut station breaks on the networks, so stations insert local ads and IDs at various times.

    • Local ad on XHTAO-6 Tampico in 2010.

    Name vs calls

    It is common for stations in Mexico (especially non-network, independents) to use a name in addition to, or instead of, their call letters. Some station names and group names are listed below.

    • GDL XHG-4 Guadalajara
    • MTY TV XHCNL-2 Saltillo; also sometimes on XEFB-2 Monterrey
    • SIPSE XHY-2 Merida
    • Teleactiva XEFB-2 Monterrey
    • tele ver (an acronym for Televisa Veracruz) XHFM-2 Veracruz and XHAJ-5 Las Lajas
    • Televisoras Grupo Pacifico XHI-2 Cd Obregon SON, XHI-2 Los Mochis SIN, XHQ-2 Guamuchil SIN, and XHQ-3 Culiacan SIN
    • tucanal XEPM-2 Chihuahua
    • TV Mas XHGV-4 Las Lajas VER
    • +v masvision XEWO-2 Guadalajara

    Televisa independent XEWO-2 Guadalajara uses the name "+v masvision."

    News and sports

    There is no counterpart to the CBS Evening News or NBC Sports in Mexico. National news and sports programming is branded with the "Televisa" or "Azteca" names and logos, rather than "XEW News," "Canal de las Estrellas News," or "Azteca-13 Sports."

    While large market Azteca relayers sometimes run afternoon and/or late-night local newscasts, Televisa puts most of their local newscasts on their independent stations and Galavision/Local stations.

    Newscasts are less common on Saturday and Sunday.

    Weekday newscasts on Mexico TV networks in Central Time:

    XEW (Most XEW relayers do not run local news.)
    0600-0900 Primero Noticias (N:1)
    1430-1500 Noticiero
    2230-2315 Noticiero

    Azteca-7
    2100 Hechos (Local in a few areas.)

    Azteca-13 (XHIT-4 Chihuahua airs all programs one hour behind, and the time of local newscasts varies on a number of stations. Many stations do not run any local news.)
    1500 Hechos Meridiano (Local in some areas.)
    2200 Hechos (Local in some areas.)

    Local "Hechos Meridiano Hermosillo" on XHHSS-4 in 2011.

    Promo for local "Hechos Meridiano Mazatlan" on XHLSI-6 in 2011.

    Promo for local "N5" newscast on Galavision/Local XEJ-5 Cd Juarez in 2011.

    Yesterday and today:
    XHCHF-6

    Left: Supered calls on a black rectangle. XHCHF-6 Chetumal, QROO, as received and photographed by Jeff Kruszka in south Louisiana. Right: My picture from 2011.

    NETWORKS

    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 that contains difficult to read writting. It actually looks like a text ID.

    As far as I know, Mexico networks have only one feed. There are no later feeds for western time zones. However, I did see XHAQ-5 Mexicali (Azteca-13 relayer) running a network morning show on a delayed basis in 2011. In addition, XHIT-4 Chihuahua (Azteca-13) runs all programs one-hour later than the network, while XHCH-2 Chihuahua runs the normal network feed.

    Galavision has gaps in their programming, allowing relayers to run local and syndicated programs several hours a day. Some of the stations, like XEJ-5, XELN-4, and XHAGU-2, use local logos and IDs during those hours.

    For more network information see Logos page

    SYNC BAR IDS: Some network relayers once had network IDs in the vertical synchronizing bar. These IDs usually listed the Mexico City flagship stations, in addition to the network name. These IDs were not generally local station IDs. Sync bar IDs are not being used as much as they were a few years ago.

    REGIONAL NETWORKS: Fernando Garcia has provided information about a regional network of Azteca-7 relayers (plus one Azteca-13 relayer) operated by TV Azteca Noreste. XHFN-7 Monterrey is the flagship station, and the network airs programs during the morning and midday hours. Local and regional news is aired on several stations in Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas under the name of "Info 7". Eskip target XHTAU-2 Tampico carries this programming. DON'T CONFUSE THIS AZTECA NEWSCAST WITH TELEVISA'S XEFB-2 MONTERREY. There may be other regional networks in Mexico.

    PROGRAM NOTES

    PROGRAM NAMES, ETC
    • Aqui en el 2 XHY-2 Merida YUC morning program airs 1000-1230 CT.
    • GDL Noticias XHG-4 Guadalajara newscasts.
    • Hechos TV Azteca newscast/information. Logo is a "H" in a circle. Local versions include "Hechos Meridiano Hermosillo" (XHHSS-4).
    • Hoy XEW-2 morning variety and information show.
    • Las Noticias Common local newscast title. XEPM-2 and XEFE-2 are among the stations using that newscast title.
    • Primero Noticias (N:1) XEW-2 early morning news/information program.
    • 2D Evening sports program on XEPM-2.

    Local "2D" sports program on Televisa independent XEPM-2 Chihuahua.

    Yesterday and today:
    XHBS-4 Los Mochis SIN

    XHBS-4 supered calls XHBS-4 supered ID

    Logos are property of Televisa, TV Azteca, ONCE, and other station owners.


    BACK

    WARNING: Due to the fact that TV stations and networks often make changes in logos, station names, slogans, and programs, some of the information on this page may be outdated. If you see something new, please let me know or report it to the WTFDA Forums Latin America TV DX section.

    Thanks to the DXers and reporters who have contributed information over the years.
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    Owned, maintained, and copyrighted © 2013 by Danny Oglethorpe, member of Worldwide TV-FM DX Association