IFT resolution on review of measures imposed on Grupo Televisa as predominant player in broadcasting sector

This is an automated translation of the original release published in Spanish.

From IFT

The Plenary Session of the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) approved in its Tenth Ordinary Session the Resolution by which it suppresses, modifies and adds to the measures imposed on the Preponderant Economic Agent in the broadcasting sector by means of the agreements P/IFT/EXT/060314/77 and P/IFT/EXT/270217/120, which is the result of the evaluation of the impact of the asymmetric regulation to which it is subject in terms of economic competition.

The most important changes to asymmetric regulation are:

• Unification of the current regulatory framework applicable to Grupo Televisa and the Independent Affiliates.
• Obligations related to the infrastructure-sharing service: They seek to streamline and promote the infrastructure-sharing service through the Public Infrastructure Offering (OPI).
• Obligations related to Content: They seek to prevent the PEA from directly or indirectly acquiring exclusively Relevant Audiovisual Content (CARs), or from engaging in conduct that affects the development and competition of the sector. In addition, the possibility is included that multiprogrammers can acquire CARs, without being concessionaires. Likewise, adjustments were made to the measure regarding the Offer of programming channels, in order to give greater clarity to the imposed obligations.
• Obligations related to the sale of advertising space: Transparency obligations are strengthened to avoid possible effects on the conditions of competition and free competition in the broadcasting sector with respect to those interested in acquiring this service.
• Obligations related to the delivery of information to the Institute: The characteristics and deadlines for the delivery of information to the Institute are adjusted in order to monitor non-discrimination in the provision of regulated wholesale services.
• Obligations related to the Implementation of the Electronic Management System (SEG): The EMS is implemented with the purpose of making the infrastructure-sharing request process more efficient and is established as the means to present information on the PEA's infrastructure.

To review the preponderance measures imposed on the PEA, the IFT carried out a public consultation, as well as various economic, technical and legal analyses with the aim of strengthening said obligations in all its areas. In this way, the IFT will continue to promote conditions of effective competition in the markets, promoting universal access to telecommunications and broadcasting services under conditions of quality, greater supply and competitive prices.

The Annex of the measures can be consulted on the page:

https://www.ift.org.mx/industria/politica-regulatoria/preponderancia-radiodifusion/ift-resolucion-modificacion-medidas-preponderante-radiodifusion-accion_modificador_atrabajo_anterior-P-IFT-EXT-060314-77-atrabajo_modificado-P- IFT-EXT-270217-120