XHFI-TDT

XHFI-TDT is a television station based in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. It is associated with Televisa and serves as a local transmitter and repeater for the Las Estrellas television network. The station is identified over the air by virtual channel 2 and currently broadcasts digitally on RF channel 26. The station received its concession on April 30, 1963, and began broadcasting in 1964 under the call sign XERA-TV. It was the first television station to operate in the city of Chihuahua. Its initial analog service used channel 11, although the station later moved to channel 5. The call sign was changed to XHFI-TDT by 1969, reflecting the station's later identification within Mexico's terrestrial broadcasting system. For part of its history, XHFI carried some locally produced programming, particularly during morning hours. This local role became less prominent after XHAUC-TV began broadcasting in 1996. The station subsequently operated primarily as a network outlet, carrying programming associated with Televisa's national television services. The reference material identifies its principal network affiliation as Las Estrellas, a major Mexican general-entertainment television network. XHFI began digital transmissions in 2013 as Mexico transitioned from analog to digital terrestrial television. Its analog signal was shut down on December 31, 2015. The digital service uses virtual channel 2, allowing the station to maintain a familiar channel identity while transmitting on a different radio-frequency channel. On January 1, 2019, XHFI added FOROtv on its second digital subchannel. That service had been relocated from XHCHZ-TDT when Televisa Chihuahua programming moved to virtual channel 5.2. The station's role is therefore primarily infrastructural and broadcasting-oriented rather than that of a consumer product brand. Its value lies in providing terrestrial television coverage in the Chihuahua market, distributing national network programming, and carrying selected digital-subchannel services. Publicly available reference material provides limited information about its corporate organization, financial performance, management, programming schedules, and current technical reach beyond its principal city and channel assignments.

XHFI-TDT traces its origins to a broadcasting concession granted on April 30, 1963. The station began operation in 1964 under the call sign XERA-TV, becoming the first television station in Chihuahua city. Its original analog assignment was channel 11, but the station later moved to channel 5. By 1969, it had adopted the XHFI-TDT call sign used in its later identity. During its earlier operating history, the station included some locally oriented programming, especially in the morning. Its distinct local role diminished after XHAUC-TV launched in 1996, increasing the separation between XHFI's network-repeater function and locally produced television. The station became associated with Televisa's programming services and repeated the Las Estrellas network in the Chihuahua market. XHFI entered the digital era in 2013. In accordance with Mexico's nationwide transition away from analog terrestrial broadcasting, it ended analog transmissions on December 31, 2015. Its digital operation uses RF channel 26 while retaining virtual channel 2 for viewers. This arrangement separates the technical transmission frequency from the channel number displayed to audiences. The station's digital configuration expanded on January 1, 2019, when FOROtv began airing on its second digital subchannel. The service was moved from XHCHZ-TDT in connection with a change in the placement of Televisa Chihuahua programming, which moved to virtual channel 5.2. XHFI consequently continued as a multi-service digital television outlet, with Las Estrellas associated with its principal virtual channel and FOROtv available as an additional service. Available reference material does not establish a separate standalone corporate entity, independent consumer-brand strategy, or publicly documented executive team for XHFI-TDT. The station is best understood as a local broadcast facility and network outlet within Televisa's Mexican television operations. Its documented historical significance is mainly its status as Chihuahua's first television station, its transition from the XERA-TV identity to XHFI-TDT, and its adaptation to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

• 2019

  FOROtv added as a digital subchannel

  [1]XHFI-TDTen.wikipedia.org

  FOROtv began broadcasting on the station's second digital subchannel on January 1, 2019.

• 2015

  Analog signal switched off

  [1]XHFI-TDTen.wikipedia.org

  Analog broadcasting ended on December 31, 2015.

• 2013

  Digital transmissions begin

  [1]XHFI-TDTen.wikipedia.org

  XHFI started digital television transmissions.

• 1996

  Local broadcasting role changes

  [1]XHFI-TDTen.wikipedia.org

  The launch of XHAUC-TV reduced XHFI's earlier role in carrying locally oriented morning programming.

• 1969

  Current call sign adopted

  [1]XHFI-TDTen.wikipedia.org

  The station changed its call sign to XHFI-TDT.

• 1964

  Station begins broadcasting as XERA-TV

  [1]XHFI-TDTen.wikipedia.org

  The station signed on as XERA-TV, becoming the first television station in Chihuahua city.

• 1963

  Broadcasting concession granted

  [1]XHFI-TDTen.wikipedia.org

  XHFI received its television broadcasting concession on April 30, 1963.

A local Chihuahua television outlet and Televisa-affiliated transmitter distributing Las Estrellas programming through Mexico's digital terrestrial television system.

• Television network retransmission

  Las Estrellas

  XHFI's principal service is the terrestrial retransmission of Las Estrellas programming in the Chihuahua market. The service is presented through virtual channel 2 and connects local viewers with Televisa network programming.

• Digital television subchannel · 2019

  FOROtv

  FOROtv is carried by XHFI as its second digital subchannel. The service was added on January 1, 2019, after being relocated from XHCHZ-TDT.

• 2019

  Reallocation of digital subchannel servicesStrategy

  Background

  Televisa reorganized the placement of television services in the Chihuahua market, including the relocation of FOROtv from XHCHZ-TDT and the movement of Televisa Chihuahua programming to virtual channel 5.2.

  Action taken

  XHFI began carrying FOROtv on its second digital subchannel from January 1, 2019.

  Aftermath

  XHFI operated as a multi-subchannel digital outlet, with FOROtv available alongside its principal Las Estrellas service.

  Source

1. 1XHFI-TDTen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Televisa Canal 5 websitetelevisa.com