XHAMO-TDT
A public television network serving the Mexican state of Colima and operated by the Instituto Colimense de Radio y Televisión.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
XHAMO-TDT is the digital terrestrial television station associated with Canal 12, the state public television network of Colima, Mexico. The service is operated by the Instituto Colimense de Radio y Televisión (ICRTV), a state broadcasting institution created in 2007 through the integration of Colima's television and radio operations. Its programming role is regional rather than commercial: it provides local information and public-service content while also carrying educational and cultural programming with national material. The station originated as XHAMO-TV, branded Tevecolima, after its creation by decree published in Colima's official newspaper on June 3, 1989. Test transmissions began on June 25 of that year on channel 12, followed by official broadcasts on June 26. In 1994, the station changed its over-the-air channel position from 12 to 11 to reduce interference involving the launch of XHCKW-TV on channel 13. The service later returned to channel 12 branding in 2016, following the national reassignment of channel 11 for exclusive use by the Instituto Politécnico Nacional's Canal Once. A major institutional change occurred on February 10, 2007, when XHAMO and Tevecolima were combined with the Instituto de la Radio Colimense to form ICRTV. This consolidation placed the television operation within a broader state radio-and-television structure and established the institutional framework under which the Canal 12 service is described today. The transition to digital broadcasting began in December 2015. XHAMO started digital transmissions on physical channel 11 and continued limited nighttime operation until Mexico's analog television shutdown on December 31, 2015. The station was identified as the second VHF digital television station to begin operating in Mexico, after XHMTA-TDT in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Although its digital call sign is XHAMO-TDT, its public-facing identity has remained associated with Canal 12 and the Colima state television network. The network also expanded its terrestrial reach through a Manzanillo relay. On November 5, 2018, Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Institute awarded the state government a concession to construct a station on channel 13 in Manzanillo under the call sign XHPBMZ-TDT, with the purpose of rebroadcasting Canal 12. An agreement reached in October 2021 allowed the transmitter to share a site with TV Azteca's facility, and the Manzanillo service began broadcasting on October 12. The station's regulatory status later changed after a failure to submit a renewal application on time. The Federal Telecommunications Institute awarded a new concession to the state government, using the templated call sign XHCPAL-TDT, beginning January 1, 2022. As a result, XHAMO-TDT is best understood as the historical and operational television service behind the Canal 12 public network, while the concession and call-sign arrangements may vary across the network's transmission facilities and regulatory periods.
History
Canal 12's television service originated in Colima in 1989 under the call sign XHAMO-TV and the brand Tevecolima. A decree published in the state's official newspaper on June 3, 1989, established the service. Test transmissions began on June 25 on channel 12, and regular official broadcasting followed the next day. The station was created as a state-oriented television outlet, with a remit centered on programming relevant to Colima and on public, educational, and cultural broadcasting. On June 26, 1994, XHAMO moved from channel 12 to channel 11. The change was made to avoid interference associated with the introduction of XHCKW-TV on channel 13. Although the station operated on a different channel position for many years, it later resumed channel 12 branding in 2016. That change followed a nationwide channel-clearance policy under which channel 11 was reserved for the Instituto Politécnico Nacional's Canal Once. The institutional structure of the service changed on February 10, 2007. XHAMO and Tevecolima were merged with the Instituto de la Radio Colimense to create the Instituto Colimense de Radio y Televisión, commonly known as ICRTV. The television station consequently became part of an integrated state radio-and-television organization rather than operating as an isolated television project. Digital conversion began in December 2015, when XHAMO started digital transmissions on the same physical channel 11. It continued nighttime broadcasting during the transition and remained on air until Mexico's analog television shutdown on December 31, 2015. The station was described as the second VHF digital television station to begin operation in Mexico, following XHMTA-TDT in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Its digital identity became XHAMO-TDT, while Canal 12 remained the principal public-facing network designation. The Colima public network later developed a transmitter for Manzanillo. On November 5, 2018, the Federal Telecommunications Institute granted the state government a concession to construct XHPBMZ-TDT on channel 13. The station was intended to rebroadcast Canal 12, extending the public network's terrestrial availability beyond its principal Colima operation. In October 2021, the parties reached an arrangement to place the transmitter at a site shared with TV Azteca. The Manzanillo service began broadcasting on October 12. The concession history was affected by an administrative renewal problem. Because a renewal filing was not submitted on time, the Federal Telecommunications Institute awarded a new concession to the state government under the templated call sign XHCPAL-TDT, effective January 1, 2022. This means that the XHAMO-TDT designation should be read in the context of Canal 12's broader network and historical transmission operations, rather than as a single unchanging call sign for every transmission facility. Across its history, the service has remained a regional public broadcaster. Its role is to distribute local and national educational and cultural content, provide television relevant to residents of Colima, and operate as part of the state's public media system through ICRTV.
- 2022
New concession takes effect
[1]A new state-government concession using call sign XHCPAL-TDT took effect on January 1 after a renewal filing was not submitted on time.
- 2021
Manzanillo relay begins broadcasting
[1]The Manzanillo service launched on October 12 after an agreement to share a transmission site with TV Azteca.
- 2018
Manzanillo concession awarded
[1]The IFT awarded the state government a concession for XHPBMZ-TDT in Manzanillo to rebroadcast Canal 12.
- 2016
Channel 12 branding returns
[1]The service returned to channel 12 branding after channel 11 was cleared for exclusive use by Canal Once.
- 2015
Digital television service begins
[1]XHAMO began digital transmissions on physical channel 11 during Mexico's transition away from analog television.
- 2007
ICRTV is formed
[1]XHAMO and Tevecolima were combined with the Instituto de la Radio Colimense to establish the Instituto Colimense de Radio y Televisión.
- 1994
Transmission channel changes from 12 to 11
[1]XHAMO moved to channel 11 to avoid interference involving the new XHCKW-TV channel 13 service.
- 1989
Tevecolima is created
[1]A state decree published on June 3 created XHAMO-TV, then branded Tevecolima, in Colima.
- 1989
Test and official broadcasts begin
[1]Test transmissions began on June 25 on channel 12, followed by the first official broadcasts on June 26.
Products and positioning
A state-owned, regional public broadcaster focused on local, educational, cultural, and public-service television for audiences in Colima.
Public television network · 1989
Canal 12
The principal public television service associated with XHAMO-TDT and ICRTV. Canal 12 serves the state of Colima with local programming alongside educational, cultural, and national content. Its identity reflects the network's historical channel 12 branding even though the underlying transmission arrangements have changed over time.
Television service · 1989
Tevecolima
The original brand used by XHAMO-TV when the Colima state television service began in 1989. Tevecolima represented the station's early regional identity before the operation became part of ICRTV and its public-facing Canal 12 network structure.
Digital terrestrial television relay · 2021
Canal 12 Manzanillo relay
A Manzanillo transmission facility established to rebroadcast Canal 12 programming. It was associated with call sign XHPBMZ-TDT, operated on channel 13, and began broadcasting in October 2021 after its transmitter was co-sited with a TV Azteca facility.
Brand decisions
2022
Replacement concession after missed renewal filingOtherBackground
A renewal application was not filed within the required period, affecting the continuation of the prior concession arrangement.
Action taken
The IFT awarded a new concession to the state government under the templated call sign XHCPAL-TDT, effective January 1, 2022.
Aftermath
The regulatory identity of the service changed, while Canal 12 continued as the associated public television network.
2018
Expansion to ManzanilloStrategyBackground
The state public network sought to extend Canal 12's terrestrial reach within Colima.
Action taken
The IFT awarded the state government a concession for XHPBMZ-TDT on channel 13 in Manzanillo to rebroadcast Canal 12.
Aftermath
The relay entered service in October 2021 after an agreement to share a transmitter site with TV Azteca.
2015
Transition to digital terrestrial broadcastingGeneration changeBackground
Mexico was replacing analog television transmission with digital terrestrial broadcasting.
Action taken
XHAMO began digital transmissions on physical channel 11 and continued nighttime operation during the transition.
Aftermath
Analog broadcasting ended on December 31, 2015, leaving the service operating in the digital television environment.
2007
Integration into ICRTVM&ABackground
Colima's television and radio operations were reorganized into a single state broadcasting institution.
Action taken
XHAMO and Tevecolima were combined with the Instituto de la Radio Colimense to form the Instituto Colimense de Radio y Televisión.
Aftermath
The station became part of the state's integrated radio-and-television public media structure.
1994
Move from channel 12 to channel 11StrategyBackground
The original XHAMO service operated on channel 12, but the channel position was changed in connection with interference concerns surrounding the introduction of XHCKW-TV on channel 13.
Action taken
XHAMO changed its over-the-air channel position from 12 to 11.
Aftermath
The service later returned to channel 12 branding in 2016 after channel 11 was reserved for Canal Once.
Recent events
- 2022
New concession replaces the previous XHAMO arrangement[1]
Regulation · Other
Following a failure to file a renewal application on time, the Federal Telecommunications Institute awarded a new concession to the state government under the templated call sign XHCPAL-TDT, effective January 1.
- 2021
Canal 12 launches Manzanillo transmission facility[1]
Product launch · Other
After an agreement to co-site the transmitter with a TV Azteca facility, the Manzanillo relay associated with call sign XHPBMZ-TDT began broadcasting on October 12.
- 2018
IFT grants Manzanillo rebroadcast concession for Canal 12[1]
Other
The Federal Telecommunications Institute awarded the Colima state government a concession to build a channel 13 station in Manzanillo to rebroadcast Canal 12 programming.
- 2015
XHAMO begins digital terrestrial transmissions[1]
Product generation · Other
The Colima state television service began digital transmissions on physical channel 11 in December 2015, ahead of the country's analog shutdown. The service operated at night until analog broadcasting ended on December 31.
Sources1 sources
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