XHLAR-TDT
XHLAR-TDT is a Grupo Televisa television station serving Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and carrying the Las Estrellas network.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
XHLAR-TDT is a Mexican television station based in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. The station is part of Grupo Televisa's broadcast portfolio and currently carries programming from the Las Estrellas network on virtual channel 2.1. Its studios and transmitter are located on Avenida de la República in Nuevo Laredo, a border city facing Laredo, Texas. This location has shaped the station's history and programming role, because its signal and service area are connected to a television market that spans communities on both sides of the Mexico–United States border. The station was authorized in 1994 as part of a major expansion of Televisa-affiliated broadcasting capacity in northern Mexico. On 9 March 1994, Radiotelevisora de México Norte, S.A. de C.V., a Televisa subsidiary, received authorization to construct numerous new stations, including a Nuevo Laredo facility initially planned for channel 57 under the call sign XHNUL-TV. The planned station did not begin with the expected Mexican network schedule. Instead, the Nuevo Laredo facility launched on 4 September 1994 as XHFTX-TV and served as a local Fox affiliate aimed at the Laredo, Texas market. Before its launch, viewers in Laredo generally received Fox programming through cable services such as Foxnet or from KRRT in San Antonio. In 2002, the station ended its Fox affiliation and adopted the call sign XHLAR-TV. Fox programming was no longer supplied by the station, and the local cable replacement was reportedly KABB from San Antonio until another local Fox outlet later appeared in the market. After leaving Fox, XHLAR became known as Televisa Nuevo Laredo. Its schedule combined local programming with rebroadcasts and other content from Televisa networks, including Canal 5 series and live sports associated with Gala TV. This period marked a shift from a cross-border U.S. network-affiliate role toward a Mexican Televisa station serving local and regional audiences. XHLAR began digital broadcasting in February 2013 on physical channel 38 with virtual channel 57.1. The station upgraded its digital signal to 1080i high definition in March 2014. In December 2016, regulators authorized a move from physical channel 38 to channel 29. The station was subsequently permitted to use virtual channel 2 in August 2018, aligning it with the broader Las Estrellas network identity. The call sign's current TDT designation reflects its operation as a digital terrestrial television service. A further corporate change occurred in 2018, when the concessions of Televisa's Las Estrellas stations were consolidated under Televimex, S.A. de C.V. as part of a reorganization of Televisa's concession-holding structure. XHLAR-TDT therefore combines a locally identifiable Nuevo Laredo station presence with the network reach, programming, and corporate framework of Grupo Televisa. Its principal public-facing role is the distribution of Las Estrellas programming in the Nuevo Laredo area, supplemented historically by local content and programming from other Televisa services.
History
XHLAR-TDT originated in Grupo Televisa's 1990s expansion of television infrastructure in northern Mexico. On 9 March 1994, Radiotelevisora de México Norte, S.A. de C.V., a Televisa subsidiary, was authorized to construct 62 new stations. The Nuevo Laredo project was initially associated with channel 57 and the call sign XHNUL-TV. The planned Mexican programming service did not launch under that identity, however. On 4 September 1994, the station began broadcasting as XHFTX-TV with programming from the Fox network for viewers in the Laredo, Texas area. Before this launch, Fox content reached local viewers primarily through cable distribution of Foxnet or through KRRT in San Antonio. The Fox affiliation ended in 2002. At that point, the station changed its call sign to XHLAR-TV and moved away from its previous cross-border U.S. network role. It became associated with the Televisa Nuevo Laredo identity and carried local programming alongside material drawn from Televisa's other networks. Its schedule included series from Canal 5 and live sports connected with Gala TV. The change made the station more directly part of Televisa's Mexican network ecosystem, even though its border location continued to give it relevance to audiences and media infrastructure around Laredo, Texas. The station's next major stage was its transition to digital television. XHLAR started digital broadcasting in February 2013 using physical channel 38 and virtual channel 57.1. In March 2014, it increased the digital service to 1080i high definition. A regulatory authorization issued in December 2016 allowed the station to relocate its physical transmission to channel 29. In August 2018, XHLAR received permission to use virtual channel 2, matching the channel identity used by the Las Estrellas network. The station is now identified as XHLAR-TDT, reflecting its digital terrestrial operation. The ownership and concession framework also changed in 2018. Televisa consolidated the concessions of its Las Estrellas stations under Televimex, S.A. de C.V. as part of a broader corporate reorganization of its concessionaires. XHLAR-TDT's current role is therefore both local and network-based: it is a Nuevo Laredo television outlet with local facilities and a defined regional signal, while its principal network affiliation connects it to Las Estrellas and Grupo Televisa's national programming structure. The station's studios and transmitter remain located on Avenida de la República in Nuevo Laredo.
- 2018
Virtual channel 2 adopted
[1]The station was permitted to use virtual channel 2, aligning its identification with Las Estrellas.
- 2018
Concession consolidation
[1]Televisa consolidated the concessions of its Las Estrellas stations under Televimex, S.A. de C.V.
- 2016
Physical channel move authorized
[1]Regulators authorized a move from physical channel 38 to physical channel 29.
- 2014
High-definition upgrade
[1]The station upgraded its digital transmission to 1080i HD.
- 2013
Digital service begins
[1]XHLAR began digital broadcasting on physical channel 38 with virtual channel 57.1.
- 2002
Fox affiliation ends
[1]The station left Fox, changed its call sign to XHLAR-TV, and became associated with Televisa Nuevo Laredo.
- 1994
Authorization for a Nuevo Laredo station
[1]Radiotelevisora de México Norte, a Televisa subsidiary, received authorization for a large group of new stations, including a planned channel 57 facility in Nuevo Laredo initially associated with call sign XHNUL-TV.
- 1994
Launch as XHFTX-TV
[1]The Nuevo Laredo facility signed on as XHFTX-TV on 4 September, carrying Fox programming for the Laredo, Texas market.
Products and positioning
A local Mexican broadcast station combining Nuevo Laredo-area programming with the national Las Estrellas network of Grupo Televisa.
Television network service
Las Estrellas
XHLAR-TDT carries the Las Estrellas network on virtual channel 2.1. This service gives the Nuevo Laredo station a nationally recognizable Televisa network identity while using the station's local transmission infrastructure and border-market coverage.
Local broadcast programming · 2002
Local Nuevo Laredo television service
The station has historically provided programming associated with Nuevo Laredo, including local content and regional service. During its Televisa Nuevo Laredo period, it also combined local material with programming rebroadcast from other Televisa networks.
Broadcast transmission · 2013
Digital terrestrial television transmission
XHLAR transitioned to digital broadcasting in 2013 and later operated in 1080i high definition. Its digital configuration was subsequently associated with physical channel 29 and virtual channel 2.1.
Brand decisions
2018
Alignment with the Las Estrellas channel identityStrategyBackground
Televisa's network stations were being aligned under consistent virtual-channel identities.
Action taken
XHLAR was authorized to use virtual channel 2, corresponding to the Las Estrellas network.
Aftermath
The station became identifiable as the local Las Estrellas service on virtual channel 2.1.
2018
Concession consolidation under TelevimexM&ABackground
Grupo Televisa reorganized the corporate entities holding concessions for its Las Estrellas stations.
Action taken
The concessions were consolidated under Televimex, S.A. de C.V.
Aftermath
XHLAR became part of a more consolidated concession-holding structure within Televisa's Las Estrellas station group.
2014
1080i high-definition upgradeGeneration changeBackground
Following the start of digital transmission, the station expanded the technical quality of its over-the-air service.
Action taken
XHLAR upgraded its digital signal to 1080i HD.
Aftermath
Viewers received the station's digital programming in high definition.
2013
Digital broadcasting launchProduct launchBackground
The station needed to operate within Mexico's digital terrestrial television framework.
Action taken
XHLAR began digital transmission on physical channel 38 using virtual channel 57.1.
Aftermath
The station entered digital operation and later upgraded its service to high definition.
2002
End of Fox affiliation and transition to Televisa programmingStrategyBackground
The station and its Reynosa sister station left the Fox network, ending the Nuevo Laredo outlet's role as a Fox affiliate for the Laredo market.
Action taken
The station changed its call sign from XHFTX-TV to XHLAR-TV and adopted the Televisa Nuevo Laredo identity, carrying local content and programming from Televisa services.
Aftermath
XHLAR moved from a U.S. network-affiliate model toward a Mexican Televisa-centered schedule. Fox programming was reportedly replaced on cable by San Antonio's KABB until a later local Fox affiliate appeared.
Recent events
- 2018
Station adopts virtual channel 2[1]
Regulation
XHLAR was allowed to use virtual channel 2, bringing its channel identification into alignment with the Las Estrellas network.
- 2018
Televisa concession structure consolidated[1]
M&A · Other
The concessions of Televisa's Las Estrellas stations were consolidated under Televimex, S.A. de C.V. during a corporate reorganization.
- 2016
Physical-channel reassignment authorized[1]
Regulation
XHLAR received authorization to move its physical digital transmission from channel 38 to channel 29.
- 2014
XHLAR upgrades to 1080i high definition[1]
Product generation
The station upgraded its digital television signal to 1080i high definition.
- 2013
XHLAR begins digital broadcasting[1]
Other
The Nuevo Laredo station began digital transmission on physical channel 38, initially using virtual channel 57.1.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/xhlar-tdt · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled