XHDEH-TDT

XHDEH-TDT is a Mexican digital terrestrial television station identified with the Las Estrellas network, TelevisaUnivision's flagship free-to-air television service in Mexico. The available reference material identifies the station within the Las Estrellas broadcasting system but does not provide a separate founding date, transmitter location, ownership history, or locally distinct programming profile for XHDEH-TDT. Accordingly, the station is best understood as a network outlet rather than as an independently documented consumer brand. Las Estrellas traces its origins to XEW-TV, which began broadcasting in Mexico City in March 1951. The original service was created by Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta alongside the XEW radio station and initially combined live sports, films, variety programming, and television theatre. Its studios at Televicentro opened in 1952. After the formation of Telesistema Mexicano in 1962 and later corporate consolidation involving Televisión Independiente de México, XEW-TV became the central outlet for an expanding national commercial network. The network was renamed El Canal de las Estrellas in 1985, ahead of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, to emphasize its roster of prominent actors, comedians, presenters, and other television personalities. The identity was reinforced by a major image campaign in 1988. Following the death of Emilio Azcárraga Milmo in 1997, the service underwent a substantial programming and branding restructuring. In 1998, the long-running 24 Horas newscast was cancelled and the station adopted a new logo. These changes occurred while the network faced stronger competition from TV Azteca. On August 22, 2016, the network adopted the shorter name Las Estrellas and introduced a broad schedule redesign. The strategy emphasized shorter telenovelas, refreshed news programming, and content aimed at younger viewers. The initial changes produced a significant ratings decline, leading to the cancellation of much of the new programming in 2017 and the restoration of more familiar prime-time positions. The network subsequently stabilized its audience, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Las Estrellas programming is built around Mexican and internationally distributed telenovelas, news, comedy, variety, game shows, talk shows, films, reality programs, and special events. Sports output has included Mexican football, boxing on some occasions, the Olympic Games, and FIFA World Cup coverage. Network-produced or network-associated programs have included Hoy, Recuerda y Gana, El Juego de las Estrellas, and Cuéntamelo ya. The service also presents the Premios TVyNovelas awards ceremony and historically participated in Mexico's OTI Festival selection process. The network is distributed free-to-air through affiliated Mexican stations and is also available through pay-television and international feeds. Since 2003, a time-shifted national feed has been available on Sky México and Izzi Telecom. International versions have operated in Europe, Central and South America, and other markets under names including Las Estrellas Europa and Las Estrellas Latinoamérica. Much of the network's programming is also carried in the United States by Univision. The specific coverage area, facilities, and local operations of XHDEH-TDT are not detailed in the supplied material.

XHDEH-TDT is documented as an outlet associated with Las Estrellas, the Mexican commercial television network operated by TelevisaUnivision. The supplied reference does not establish an independent history for the station, such as a separate launch date, original call sign, local transmitter development, or changes in local ownership. Its historical context therefore follows that of the Las Estrellas network. The network's lineage begins with XEW-TV, which started broadcasting in March 1951 as a sister service to XEW-AM. Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta owned both operations. XEW-TV was the second commercial television channel established in Mexico City and began with a live Mexican League baseball broadcast. While its Chapultepec 18 studios were being completed, the service also relied on films from Mexico's Golden Age of cinema. The Televicentro complex opened in January 1952, after which the schedule expanded to live variety programs and television theatre. In 1962, XEW-TV became the flagship of Telesistema Mexicano after the merger of several Mexican television interests. Later consolidation with Televisión Independiente de México moved additional programming onto the station and helped transform it into the country's leading commercial television network. Its influence grew during a period when Televisa held a dominant position in Mexican commercial broadcasting. The service was also associated with substantial political influence, particularly through its news output. In preparation for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, XEW-TV was renamed El Canal de las Estrellas in 1985. The name highlighted the channel's stable of high-profile performers. A prominent identity campaign followed in 1988, including a song performed by Lucía Méndez. The network continued to combine telenovelas, entertainment, sports, and news, while also serving as Televisa's principal national broadcast platform. The death of Emilio Azcárraga Milmo in 1997 preceded a major reorganization. In 1998, the network cancelled 24 Horas, a long-running newscast anchored by Jacobo Zabludovsky, and introduced a new visual identity. The changes coincided with increasing competition from TV Azteca, whose XHDF service had been privatized and acquired. The network retained broad reach but experienced later credibility and audience challenges, particularly after 2012 amid accusations of political bias favoring President Enrique Peña Nieto. A full relaunch followed in 2016. On August 22, the channel became Las Estrellas, with revised branding and programming intended to modernize the service and reach younger audiences. The first version of the relaunch underperformed, producing a marked ratings decline. By 2017, many new programs had been cancelled and the network had moved established telenovelas and news programs back toward their former time slots. Audience performance subsequently stabilized. Today, Las Estrellas operates as a broad Mexican television network distributed free-to-air through affiliated stations, including the XHDEH-TDT outlet identified in this dossier. Its core schedule consists of telenovelas, news, comedy, variety, talk, game, and reality programming. Weekend schedules may include films, special events, sports, and awards ceremonies. The network also maintains international distribution through time-shifted and pay-television feeds, while selected programming is carried by Univision in the United States. The supplied sources do not provide enough information to describe XHDEH-TDT's individual facilities or local schedule separately from the network.

• 2025

  European feed changes satellite provider

  [1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  The European feed's satellite distribution moves from Eutelsat 9B to Intelsat 35e.

• 2017

  Schedule strategy is partially reversed

  [1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  After ratings weakened, the network cancels much of its new programming and restores familiar scheduling patterns.

• 2016

  The network becomes Las Estrellas

  [1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  A major rebrand and schedule redesign takes effect on August 22.

• 1998

  24 Horas is cancelled during restructuring

  [1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  The long-running news program is removed as the network undergoes branding and programming changes.

• 1988

  Major network image campaign launches

  [1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  The network reinforces its identity with an image campaign song performed by Lucía Méndez.

• 1985

  The channel adopts El Canal de las Estrellas

  [1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  The network is renamed ahead of the 1986 FIFA World Cup to emphasize its star performers.

• 1962

  XEW-TV becomes the Telesistema Mexicano flagship

  [1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  The station becomes the central outlet of the newly merged Telesistema Mexicano.

• 1952

  Televicentro opens

  [1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  Televisa's major studio complex opens in January, enabling a broader schedule of live variety and theatrical programming.

• 1951

  XEW-TV begins broadcasting

  [1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  The predecessor service of Las Estrellas begins commercial television operations in Mexico City in March 1951.

A mass-market Mexican free-to-air television outlet within TelevisaUnivision's flagship Las Estrellas network, with a schedule centered on telenovelas, entertainment, news, and nationally significant live events.

• Free-to-air television network · 1951

  Las Estrellas terrestrial network

  The principal Mexican broadcast service associated with XHDEH-TDT and other affiliated transmitters. Its general-entertainment schedule combines telenovelas, news, comedy, variety, talk, game, reality, film, sports, and special-event programming.

• International television feed · 1988

  Las Estrellas Europa

  A European pay-television feed carrying Las Estrellas programming, generally on a delayed schedule compared with the principal Mexican service. The feed was previously known as Galavisión and adopted the El Canal de las Estrellas identity in 2005.

• International television feed

  Las Estrellas Latinoamérica

  A Central and South American pay-television feed distributed through Televisa Networks. Its schedule generally differs from the Mexican service and may carry programs several weeks after their original broadcast.

• 1988Las Estrellas image campaign

  Mexico

  A network identity campaign used a song performed by Lucía Méndez to reinforce the El Canal de las Estrellas brand and its association with television stars.

  Outcome. The campaign strengthened the channel's star-centered identity during the El Canal de las Estrellas era.

  Source

• 2016

  Rebrand and programming overhaulStrategy

  Background

  Audience and credibility pressures, including competition and criticism of perceived political bias, preceded a decision to modernize the network's identity and target younger viewers.

  Action taken

  On August 22, 2016, the network changed its name from El Canal de las Estrellas to Las Estrellas and introduced shorter telenovelas, revised news output, and new programming.

  Aftermath

  The initial relaunch caused a major ratings decline. In 2017, much of the new schedule was cancelled and established programming was returned to more familiar time slots.

  Source

• 1998

  Post-1997 restructuring and cancellation of 24 HorasStrategy

  Background

  Following the death of Emilio Azcárraga Milmo, the network undertook a major programming and branding restructuring while facing growing competition from TV Azteca.

  Action taken

  The network cancelled the long-running 24 Horas newscast and replaced its visual identity with a logo designed by Pablo Rovalo.

  Aftermath

  The network experienced a period of ratings turbulence before its audience stabilized.

  Source

• 2025

  Las Estrellas international feed changes satellite distribution[1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The European international feed changed satellite distribution from Eutelsat 9B to Intelsat 35e in January 2025.

• 2017

  Las Estrellas restores elements of its previous schedule after ratings decline[1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following a substantial audience decline after the 2016 relaunch, the network cancelled much of its new programming and returned prime-time telenovelas and news programs to earlier scheduling patterns.

• 2016

  Las Estrellas adopts a new name and redesigned programming schedule[1]Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Televisa network changed its name from El Canal de las Estrellas to Las Estrellas on August 22, 2016, while introducing shorter telenovelas, revised news programming, and content intended to attract younger viewers.

1. 1Las Estrellasen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official Televisa websitetelevisa.com