Mexico delays TV network auction
June 13, 2014
Mexico’s telco regulator has delayedthe planned auction of two digital television networks by several months, citing a congressional delay in passing the laws that will guide last year’s overhaul of the telecommunications and broadcast sectors.
The Federal Telecommunications Institute moved to September from June the deadline for potential bidders to obtain antitrust clearance to participate in the auction.
The two new television networks are part of last year’s legal overhaul in the telecommunications and broadcast sectors aimed at increasing competition in those markets. Incumbent TV broadcasters Grupo Televisa and Azteca are barred from participating in the auction.
The institute said that since the Congress has yet to approve the secondary laws, the lack of legal certainty is likely to discourage bidders and their potential sources of financing. The institute said its aim is to attract the largest possible number of participants.
The institute was set up last year with greater powers than its predecessor and responsibility for antitrust aspects of the telecommunications and broadcast industries.