The Mass Media

Learn about mass media in Mexico

Also Appears In: Throwback Thursday Discovering Your Roots (Mexican Spanish) Living in Latin America Culture File: Mexico

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Lesson Transcript

Culture File: Mexico - Lesson 23: The Mass Media

Hello, and welcome to the Culture File: Mexico series at SpanishPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring essential cultural information about Mexico, Mexican Culture, and Mexican People. In this lesson, we will continue with another episode of this series about Mexican economic activities. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 23: The Mass Media.

The mass media, or in Spanish "medios de comunicación", market of Mexico is among the most influential and largest markets in Latin America. It’s home to large media markets including online, newspapers, cinema, and television.

The first televised color transmission was broadcasted in Mexico in the 1940s. Today, Mexico has two major television broadcasting networks, TV Azteca and Televisa. The Televisa company is the leading mass media company in the Spanish speaking world, offering Spanish programs at a global scale. Mexican television is well-known for its dramas, or "telenovelas", which are enjoyed worldwide.

Mexican cinema, or in Spanish "cine", is also well-known throughout Latin America. Mexico is home to the Guadalajara International Film Festival, which gives out the Maguey Award. This week-long festival is held in the city of Guadalajara and is the most prestigious film festival in Latin America. It premieres work from Mexican and international independent filmmakers, attracting hundreds of tourists and Mexicans alike who enjoy cinematic culture. During this festival, large inflatable screens are set up in public spaces to screen films.

The most influential newspaper, or "periódico", of the country is El Universal, based in Mexico City. Listening to the radio is also still quite popular in Mexico, with over a thousand radio stations throughout the country.

The telecommunications industry is mainly dominated by Telmex, whose owner, Carlos Slim, is among the wealthiest people in the world. Telmex offers services such as mobile telephony, or "telefonía móvil", and Internet access, and can be found both domestically and in other countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and the United States.