Mexican Senate Votes to Delay Digital Transition

MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s analog switch-off has been postponed, with the country’s Senate voting to move the deadline for the digital transition from the end of this month to December 31, 2016.

The government’s opposition party led the vote on grounds that the switch from analog to digital this year would leave millions of viewers across the country without TV. The extension will give broadcasters, mainly local operators, additional time to get ready for the switch.

The proposal now goes to Mexico’s chamber of deputies, as it will need an amendment to the constitution to take effect. The 2015 deadline was placed in the constitution as part of a reform to the country’s Telecoms Act two years ago.