Mexico will soon auction off licenses for two new television channels, potentially opening up a media market long dominated by two telecom giants, regulators said.
The Federal Commission of Telecommunications announced the move on Wednesday as part of a digital switchover planned for 2013, saying it would "promote diversity in content (and) encourage competition."
Mexican television is currently dominated by Televisa, the world's leading Spanish-language broadcaster, which owns four channels, and TV Azteca, which operates three.
The commission said it had received 50 requests for new licenses in recent years. It was not immediately clear whether Televisa or TV Azteca would be eligible to apply for the new licenses.
Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, rated the world's richest man by Forbes magazine for three years running, has long sought entry into the television market.
Slim's Telmex group is Mexico's number one fixed line company, and its Telcel dominates the mobile market.