XHFW-TDT
Independent terrestrial television station serving Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
XHFW-TDT is an independent broadcast television station based in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The station began broadcasting on analog channel 9 on March 8, 1971, and was established by the Flores family, which also operated the AM radio stations XEFW-AM and XETW-AM. The family later added XHON-FM to its radio interests in 1980, making XHFW part of a locally rooted media operation rather than a purely national network outlet. During its early years, XHFW carried programming originating in Mexico City. Its network relationships included Televisión Independiente de México and, after that company merged with Telesistema Mexicano, programming associated with Televisa's Canal 5. The station subsequently became associated with Nu9ve programming. That arrangement ended on December 31, 2019, when Nu9ve programming moved to a subchannel of Televisa-owned XHTPZ-TDT. XHFW entered digital broadcasting in 2015. It shut down its analog transmission on December 31 of that year and initially promoted itself using channel 26, its physical digital channel. In 2016, the station received virtual channel 10 and began using that number, although the Flores family continued to market it as channel 26 for several years. The coexistence of a physical-channel identity and a virtual-channel brand contributed to the station's changing on-air presentation. A major operational and branding change took place on January 11, 2021, when operation of the station was transferred to a new group headed by Martín Flores Echavarría, who was not related to the Flores family identified with the station's earlier ownership. Most existing programming was discontinued, and XHFW relaunched with the identity "Canal 10.1, El Poder de tu Imagen." The revised service was planned as an affiliate of Heraldo TV, combining national programming with newly produced local shows. Around the same period, the Mexican telecommunications regulator authorized the inclusion of a second subchannel, intended to carry City Channel programming from VOIP Comunicación Digital, S.A. de C.V. The new operating arrangement did not last for the planned ten-year term. After approximately ten months, the agreement ended following a dispute concerning renewal fees. The Flores family resumed control of the station, which temporarily carried La Octava for about two months before returning to locally produced programming from its own facilities in December. The former "10.1 Tampico" identity continued to appear on social media even after the change in broadcast operations. The station's schedule has been described as running daily from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Its public-facing identity has shifted between channel 9, physical channel 26, virtual channel 10, and the Canal 10.1 brand, reflecting changes in transmission technology, virtual-channel assignments, network affiliations, and operating partners. XHFW-TDT remains a local television outlet serving the Tampico area, with a programming model that combines locally produced content and selected national or syndicated programming.
History
XHFW began broadcasting in Tampico on March 8, 1971, using analog channel 9. Its inaugural-day schedule included the Fight of the Century boxing match. The station was established and owned by the Flores family, which also operated XEFW-AM 810 and XETW-AM 860. The same media interests expanded into FM radio in 1980 with the creation of XHON-FM. In its early operating period, XHFW relied substantially on programming supplied from Mexico City. It first carried programming connected with Televisión Independiente de México. Following TIM's merger with Telesistema Mexicano, XHFW carried programming associated with Televisa's Canal 5. Over time, the station also became a carrier of Nu9ve programming, linking its local transmission service to a major national television brand. The station's analog era ended on December 31, 2015, when it shut down its analog transmitter after beginning digital transmission earlier that year. The digital service initially emphasized physical channel 26, but the station was assigned virtual channel 10 in 2016. Although the virtual assignment changed the technical and viewer-facing channel designation, the Flores family continued using channel 26 in its branding until 2021. The station's Nu9ve affiliation ended at the close of 2019, and Nu9ve programming was transferred to a subchannel of XHTPZ-TDT beginning January 1, 2020. The most significant recent change came in January 2021. Operation was transferred to a group led by Martín Flores Echavarría, who was identified as unrelated to the Flores family. On January 11, the station relaunched as Canal 10.1, using the slogan "El Poder de tu Imagen." The relaunch involved the cancellation of most prior programming, a planned affiliation with Heraldo TV, and a new mixture of national programs and locally produced shows. In November 2020, the Mexican telecommunications regulator had authorized a second subchannel, with the proposed City Channel service to be programmed by VOIP Comunicación Digital, S.A. de C.V. The Heraldo TV-related operating agreement lasted only around ten months rather than the proposed ten years. It ended amid a dispute over renewal fees. Following the breakdown, the Flores family resumed control of XHFW. The station carried La Octava for approximately two months and then returned to programming produced locally from its own facilities in December. The prior 10.1 Tampico identity continued on social media, even as the station's operational arrangement changed again. XHFW-TDT is characterized by a local-service model. It broadcasts daily from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and has used several identities during its history, including its original channel 9 designation, the digital physical-channel branding of channel 26, and the virtual-channel and Canal 10.1 identities. These changes reflect the transition from analog to digital television, regulatory channel assignments, network-affiliation changes, and shifts in the station's operating partners.
- 2021
Canal 10.1 relaunch
[1]On January 11, a new operating group relaunched the station as Canal 10.1, El Poder de tu Imagen, with planned Heraldo TV programming and new local shows.
- 2019
End of Nu9ve carriage
[1]Nu9ve programming left XHFW on December 31.
- 2016
Virtual channel 10 assignment
[1]The station began using virtual channel 10 while retaining channel 26 in parts of its branding.
- 2015
Digital transition
[1]XHFW signed on digitally and ended analog transmission on December 31. It initially identified its digital service with physical channel 26.
- 1980
Flores family expands into FM radio
[1]The station's owning family expanded its local media interests by starting XHON-FM.
- 1971
Analog launch on channel 9
[1]XHFW began broadcasting in Tampico on March 8, 1971. Its first-day programming included the Fight of the Century boxing match.
Products and positioning
A locally rooted, independent television broadcaster serving Tampico and the surrounding Tamaulipas market, combining local production with selected national network and syndicated content.
Broadcast television station · 1971
XHFW-TDT terrestrial television service
The station's main digital over-the-air television service serving Tampico and the surrounding Tamaulipas market. Its schedule has included local productions, national programming, and programming supplied through network or syndication arrangements. The service has operated under several channel identities, including channel 9 in the analog era, physical channel 26 after digital conversion, and virtual channel 10/Canal 10.1.
Digital television subchannel
City Channel subchannel
A second digital subchannel authorized for the station and intended to carry City Channel programming. The proposed programming operator was VOIP Comunicación Digital, S.A. de C.V. The available reference does not establish the subchannel's current on-air status.
Brand decisions
2021
Canal 10.1 relaunch and Heraldo TV affiliationStrategyBackground
Operations were transferred to a new group led by Martín Flores Echavarría.
Action taken
Most prior programs were canceled, and the station relaunched as Canal 10.1, El Poder de tu Imagen, with planned Heraldo TV programming and a new local lineup.
Aftermath
The operating arrangement ended after approximately ten months following a dispute concerning renewal fees. The Flores family resumed control, and local programming returned after a temporary period carrying La Octava.
2019
End of Nu9ve affiliationStrategyBackground
XHFW had been carrying Nu9ve programming as part of its schedule.
Action taken
The station ended Nu9ve programming on December 31, 2019.
Aftermath
Beginning January 1, 2020, Nu9ve programming moved to a subchannel of XHTPZ-TDT.
2015
Conversion from analog to digital broadcastingGeneration changeBackground
XHFW needed to move from analog transmission to digital terrestrial television.
Action taken
The station began digital broadcasting and shut off its analog transmitter on December 31, 2015, initially branding the service around physical channel 26.
Aftermath
The station later adopted virtual channel 10 while continuing to use channel 26 in some branding.
Recent events
- 2021
XHFW relaunches as Canal 10.1[1]
Product launch · Leadership change
A new operating group led by Martín Flores Echavarría took over operations on January 11, 2021. The station adopted the identity "Canal 10.1, El Poder de tu Imagen," planned a Heraldo TV affiliation, and introduced a new local programming lineup.
- 2021
Heraldo TV operating arrangement ends[1]
Leadership change · Other
The planned ten-year operating arrangement ended after roughly ten months following a dispute over renewal fees. The Flores family resumed control, and the station later returned to locally produced programming.
- 2020
Second digital subchannel authorized[1]
Regulation · Product launch
Mexico's telecommunications regulator authorized a second subchannel for XHFW. The proposed service was identified as City Channel and was to be programmed by VOIP Comunicación Digital, S.A. de C.V.
- 2019
Nu9ve programming leaves XHFW[1]
Other
XHFW's carriage of Nu9ve programming ended on December 31, 2019. The programming subsequently moved to a subchannel of XHTPZ-TDT.
- 2016
XHFW receives virtual channel 10[1]
Other
The station was assigned virtual channel 10 and began using that number, while continuing to use channel 26 in parts of its branding.
- 2015
XHFW begins digital broadcasting[1]
Product launch
The station launched its digital transmission and ended analog broadcasting on December 31, 2015. It initially promoted the service using physical channel 26.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/xhfw-tdt · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled