Azteca

What Azteca does

TV Azteca (operating as Azteca) is a Mexican multimedia broadcaster founded in 1993 and controlled by Ricardo Salinas Pliego through conglomerate Grupo Salinas. The company operates as one of two national free-to-air television networks in Mexico, delivering Azteca UNO (general entertainment and live programming), Azteca 7 (sports and youth), adn40 (24-hour national news), a+ (family and regional content), and a network of 18+ regional news stations. Its technology stack is built around over-the-air broadcast infrastructure - recently extended with a Dolby Atmos over ATSC 1.0 partnership - combined with the ViX freemium streaming platform, which holds exclusive rights to all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in Mexico, and TV Azteca Internacional, which distributes four pay TV channels (Azteca Deportes Network, Azteca Internacional, Coraz\u00f3n, Cinema, Clic) reaching over 190 million people globally.\n\nThe company monetizes through four revenue streams: traditional broadcast advertising sales; ViX streaming subscriptions (freemium model); content licensing of its 40,000+ hour Spanish-language catalog to international broadcasters and streaming platforms including Prime Video, Disney+, Pluto TV, Atresmedia, Ecuavisa, Totalplay, Roku's Howdy, and Future Today's Fawesome; and international pay TV channel carriage. Customer segments are split between mass Mexican TV viewers (primary) and international broadcasters/streaming platforms licensing TV Azteca's content (primary), with a recent expansion into a Production Services division targeting the US Hispanic market.\n\nThe business is in severe financial distress: in February 2026, TV Azteca shareholders approved voluntary bankruptcy proceedings (concurso mercantil) to restructure approximately $2 billion in debt, of which roughly $600 million is in default to US creditors. The company also faces a MX$32.13 billion tax settlement with Mexico's Tax Administration Service (SAT), trading in its shares has been suspended on the Mexican Stock Exchange since 2023, and CEO Rafael Rodriguez has framed the filing as a last-resort restructuring aimed at preserving operational continuity while broadcasts (including the World Cup) continue. The combination of a 29-year content library, dual-platform broadcast-plus-streaming distribution, and major sports rights remains strategically valuable, but is offset by a deteriorating balance sheet and secular pressure on broadcast advertising.

Name

Azteca

Legal name

TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V.

Website

https://tvazteca.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

TV Azteca is one of two major Mexican free-to-air television broadcasters, operating national networks (Azteca UNO, Azteca 7, adn40, a+ plus 18+ regional stations), the ViX streaming platform with exclusive World Cup 2026 rights, and an international pay TV and content licensing business reaching 190+ million people across Latin America, the US, and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast Television Services

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

National General-Entertainment Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

International TV Broadcasters (Free-to-Air/Satellite/Cable) (MPABAEAJ), Local Multicultural/Language Broadcasters (Spanish/Asian/Other Local Markets) (MPABACAI)

Keywords

• Free-to-air television broadcasting
• Spanish-language content production
• Pay TV channel distribution
• International content licensing
• Streaming media services

Headquarters

HQ city

Estado De México

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: Traditional broadcast advertising sales across free-to-air television channels including Azteca UNO, Azteca 7, and adn40. The company sells advertising slots during programming including World Cup broadcasts and regular entertainment content.
2. Streaming Subscription (ViX): ViX Premium streaming platform offering exclusive content including all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in Mexico. The platform operates on a freemium model with premium subscription tier.
3. Content Licensing: International licensing of TV Azteca's content catalog including telenovelas, reality shows, series, and sports programming to broadcasters and streaming platforms worldwide.
4. Pay TV Channels: TV Azteca operates four pay TV channels (Azteca Internacional, Corazón, Clic, Cinema) distributed internationally with reach of over 190 million people worldwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TV Azteca is a major Mexican multimedia broadcaster that operates free-to-air national television networks (Azteca UNO, Azteca 7, adn40, a+) producing Spanish-language entertainment, news, and sports content. Through its TV Azteca Internacional division, the company distributes a 40,000+ hour content catalog via subscription pay TV channels, FAST partnerships, and licensing agreements to broadcasters worldwide, reaching over 190 million people globally.

Product overview

TV Azteca is a major Mexican free-to-air television broadcaster and one of the largest Spanish-language content producers in the world. The company's product portfolio is organized around two main pillars: (1) free-to-air broadcast networks in Mexico — Azteca UNO (general entertainment/live programming), Azteca 7 (sports, youth, co-productions), adn40 (24-hour news), and a+ (family programming with regional variations) — and (2) the TV Azteca Internacional division, which manages international content distribution, subscription TV channels (Azteca Deportes Network, Azteca Internacional, Cinema, Corazón, Clic), FAST channel partnerships (e.g., Pluto TV), and a growing digital app portfolio including Azteca Deportes Nitro. The broadcast networks are complemented by a nationwide network of 18+ Regional News channels delivering state-level news content. Content licensing and distribution agreements span Prime Video, Disney+, Ecuavisa, Atresmedia (Spain), and Totalplay. The company also recently launched a Production Services division for the US Hispanic market. Recent strategic initiatives include returning to telenovela production after a seven-year hiatus and expanding FAST channel presence internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Azteca Deportes Network: Sports channel featuring football, Saudi League, Swedish League, Copa Libertadores Femenina, BKFC, LUX Fight League, CrossFit, NWSL, and other international sports content
• Azteca Internacional
• Cinema
• Corazón
• Clic
• ADN40

Products and services

• Azteca UNO Primary free-to-air television network in Mexico, oriented toward live programming including morning shows, entertainment, news, and reality shows.
• Azteca 7 Free-to-air television channel focused on sports, youth programming, and major co-productions.
• adn40 First national free-to-air news television channel in Mexico, broadcasting informative content 24 hours a day.
• a+ National free-to-air television channel offering family-oriented programming including news and regional content for all Mexican states.
• TV Azteca Internacional International content distribution arm of TV Azteca managing subscription TV channels (Mundo, Corazón, Clic, Cinema) and distributing the company's 29-year content catalog globally, reaching 190+ million people worldwide.
• Azteca Deportes Network Subscription sports channel offering live coverage of football (NWSL, Saudi Pro League, CONMEBOL Libertadores, Allsvenskan), combat sports (BKFC, LUX Fight League, CrossFit), sailing, athletics, and other international sports disciplines.
• Cinema (Pay TV Channel) Subscription movie channel featuring the best catalog of films from the golden age of Mexican cinema in black and white and color.
• Corazón (Pay TV Channel) Subscription telenovela channel offering romantic drama programming.
• Clic (Pay TV Channel) Subscription channel in the TV Azteca pay TV portfolio offering diverse content.
• Regional News Network Network of 18+ regional news channels covering Mexican states delivering state-level news content.
• TV Azteca Internacional Production Services International audiovisual production solutions division for the US Hispanic market, offering production infrastructure, remote broadcasting, and international content delivery.
• La Academia Musical reality competition show produced by TV Azteca and Nostromo Producciones, training professional singers through weekly concerts with audience voting. Distributed internationally to Ecuador, USA, Honduras, Guatemala, and other markets.
• Cautiva por amor 90-episode telenovela starring Litzy, Osvaldo de León, Daniela Castro, and Plutarco Haza, narrating a woman's story dismantling a human trafficking and slave labor network.
• Dra. Lucía Mexican medical drama series produced for TV Azteca in 2023. A second season is in development.
• Lotería del Crimen Crime thriller series set in Mexico City following the Criminal Intelligence Unit (UNIC) solving bizarre and mysterious crimes. 24 episodes directed by Carlos Carrera, starring Julieta Grajales and Claudio Lafarga.
• Exatlón México Reality sports competition program produced by TV Azteca and AcunMedya, featuring elite athletes competing in high-intensity challenges. Distributed via Prime Video and across Latin American platforms.
• Cuando seas mía Emblematic TV Azteca telenovela licensed to Atresmedia for Spain and Andorra, available on free-to-air TV and the Atresplayer digital platform.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Roku (Howdy)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 June 2026TV Azteca telenovelas and productions from the late 1990s and early 2000s are available through Roku's Howdy streaming service in Mexico, aggregating content for the Mexican market.
• US Hispanic Market PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 May 2026TV Azteca Internacional launched Production Services division for US Hispanic market, offering audiovisual production solutions and infrastructure to facilitate international content creation and remote broadcasting.
• Dolby LaboratoriescoreTechnology or Integration · 21 April 2026Partnership to deliver Dolby Atmos immersive audio over free-to-air broadcast TV using ATSC 1.0 standard. This technological milestone allows Atmos to reach existing devices without requiring next-gen tuners or internet connectivity, extending the relevance of free broadcasting in the streaming era.
• Future Today (Fawesome)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 October 2025Content licensing deal for TV Azteca content to be included in Fawesome's Spanish-language streaming offering, expanding reach to US Hispanic audiences.
• Pluto TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2024Content distribution agreement making five TV Azteca channels (Azteca Deportes Network, Azteca Internacional, Cinema, ADN40) available on Pluto TV's FAST platform across 18 Latin American territories.
• Prime VideocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 September 2023Distribution agreement for Exatlón México seasons 5 and 6, making 193 episodes of the reality show available to Prime Video subscribers throughout Latin America.
• AcunMedyacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2023TV Azteca produces Exatlón México in partnership with Turkish production company AcunMedya. TV Azteca holds exclusive distribution rights for all six seasons in Mexico and Latin America.
• TotalplaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 August 2023Partnership to add Azteca Deportes Network to Totalplay's pay TV channel lineup, providing subscribers access to sports content including NWSL, Saudi Pro League, and international sporting events.
• AtresmediamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 July 2022Licensing agreement for telenovela 'Cuando seas mía' for Spain and Andorra, available through Atresmedia's TV channels and digital platform Atresplayer.
• EcuavisamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroadcast agreement for simultaneous transmission of La Academia reality show in Ecuador. Ecuavisa airs the show Saturdays and Sundays at 8 PM for 10 weeks, with 24/7 coverage on their website.
• ViaplayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPluto TV partnership includes content from various providers including Viaplay as part of their international content strategy across 35+ territories.
• Disney+majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic alliance for distribution of La Academia reality show musical format through Disney+ streaming platform, marking a key content partnership.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Canal 13: Major Chilean free-to-air broadcaster owned by Andrónico Luksic. Comparable as a regional LATAM broadcaster with national free-to-air reach and digital content distribution strategy.
• Mega (Mega Media): Chilean free-to-air broadcaster with telenovela production and digital platform operations. Comparable as a Spanish-language national broadcaster in a different LATAM market with similar content production and licensing dynamics.
• RCN Televisión: Colombia's other major private broadcaster, producing telenovelas, news, and entertainment content. Comparable business model to TV Azteca with national free-to-air broadcast plus international content distribution.
• América Televisión: Peru's leading free-to-air broadcaster, producing telenovelas, entertainment, and news content. Comparable as a Spanish-language national broadcaster in a different LATAM market with similar content production capabilities.
• Caracol Televisión: One of Colombia's two major private free-to-air broadcasters. Comparable as a Spanish-language national broadcaster with telenovela production, pay TV channels, and international content licensing operations across Latin America.
• Latina Televisión: Peruvian free-to-air broadcaster with national reach and content production. Comparable as a Spanish-language regional LATAM broadcaster facing similar structural pressures from digital platforms and advertising shifts.

Broad incumbents

• Grupo Globo: Brazil's largest media conglomerate operating free-to-air broadcast networks (TV Globo), pay TV channels, and a major content production operation. Comparable as a dominant LATAM Spanish/Portuguese-language broadcaster with international content licensing and telenovela production capabilities.
• Telemundo (NBCUniversal): Major US Spanish-language broadcast network owned by NBCUniversal. Comparable in targeting Spanish-speaking audiences, producing telenovelas and reality programming, and competing for US Hispanic advertising dollars — a market TV Azteca is now re-entering via its Production Services division.

Direct peers

• Estrella TV: US Spanish-language free-to-air broadcast network. Comparable as a Spanish-language FTA broadcaster competing for US Hispanic audiences — directly relevant given TV Azteca's expansion via its Production Services division targeting the same market.
• TelevisaUnivision: Mexico's largest broadcaster and TV Azteca's direct domestic competitor. Both operate national free-to-air TV networks, produce Spanish-language telenovelas and entertainment, and compete for Mexican audiences and advertisers. TelevisaUnivision owns the ViX streaming platform through which TV Azteca distributes World Cup content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Azteca
• Facebookfacebook.com/azteca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tv-azteca
• Instagraminstagram.com/tvaztecainternacional
• TikToktiktok.com/@tvazteca_internacional

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments5 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Azteca