Televisa hits out at regulators

Mexican TV giant Grupo Televisa has complained that proposed legislation would impose “disproportionate” limitations on areas of its business, including content distribution and advertising sales.

Mexico’s government this week sent the fine print of its proposal to overhaul uncompetitive phone and TV industries to the country’s senate.

Televisa, which owns more than 60% of Mexico’s TV market, said the new measures go far beyond a ruling that the country’s Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) issued earlier this month.

“In terms of content regulation, we see some proposed sanctions as disproportionate,” Televisa said in a statement.

The IFT described Televisa as a “preponderant” player in the country’s TV market and said it would be forced to share its broadcasting infrastructure with competitors.

Televisa and Carlos Slim’s telecoms firm America Movil have been targeted as the country’s government seeks to encourage new entrants.