Court strikes blow to Televisa

Mexico’s Supreme Court struck down a key part of a media law that favored industry heavyweight Televisa.

The judges ruled that broadcasters cannot automatically use frequency freed by improved technology to launch telecommunications services and that new concessions shouldn’t necessarily go to the highest bidder.

The ruling is a loss for Televisa, which has a 70% share of Mexico’s TV audience and is one of the country’s most powerful companies.

Critics of the law say spectrum no longer needed for broadcasters’ core businesses should be returned to the government and tendered to give other operators a chance to compete.