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For those watching television in Mexico, finding out what's on the tube can be a challenge. Daily newspapers never include 24-hour programming schedules, and many provide only the schedules for the networks that advertise with them! Likewise, the cable networks have their own guides but don't list the over-the-air stations.

So far, the Web is not a cure-all for such info deficiency. It's still impossible to find a complete, comprehensive listing online. However, individual stations and networks have taken to the Web to supplement their broadcast programs. We take a look at television Web sites in the first of a two-part series which should be useful to TV viewers as well as those interested in the television industry.

IBOPE

Want to find out who's king of the week in terms of TV ratings? IBOPE is the Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics, which provides surveys and stats for a number of Latin American countries. Via its Mexico page, it provides one of the most useful resources on the Net: weekly Top 10 ratings of Mexican television programs (though the list is infrequently updated).

IBOPE's archives are online (http://www.ibope-agb.com.mx/sem97.htm), though access to the larger database is limited to subscribers. For more information, contact: ibope@mail.ibope-agb.com.mx.

Televisa

A meat and potatoes site--Televisa is useful if your expectations aren't too high. The worst part is that the site depends too much on slow loading Java computer script, which makes it visually appealing, but slow in loading. Hint: you have to click on the icon for programming schedules or go directly to http://www.televisa.com.mx/television/.

Televisa does have some entertaining pages, such as a roundup of sports features (http://www.televisa.com.mx/deportes/). The news section (http://www.televisa.com.mx/noticias/) sends readers to the network's various news divisions.

A plus: Sections are clearly labeled (though only in Spanish). Personally, I had expected more of this network, given its resources. There are no online forums or ways for viewers to interact. Viewers are asked to choose their favorite program, but that's the only type of survey online. Perhaps such a lack of Web creativity reflects what we've seen too often on the small screen. For more info, contact espacio@televisa.com.mx.

TV Azteca

It's a great site, if you know where to find it. Most of the links to TV Azteca from Mexican Web directories, as well as from Yahoo, appear dead and I counted three different non-functioning URLs to the site. In Web terms, this is a case of "link rot."

Once online the Azteca site, it takes a little time to figure out the nomenclature of the creatively titled pages. Want news? Go to "Televidentes" (http://www.tvazteca.com.mx/televidentes/). "Medios de Comunicacion" (http://www.tvazteca.com.mx/medios/) is not a list of stations, but a collection of articles about TV Azteca--including the recent October 1998 Business Mexico cover story. The site has the 24-hour programming schedules for channels 7 and 13. Unfortunately, like Televisa, it opts for more eye candy than content. For more info, contact jmarquez@tvazteca.com.mx.

Canal 11

Mexico's cultural network--run by the National Polytechnical University--features some of the best programs in Mexico. Browse its programming page (http://www.oncetv.ipn.mx/programa.htm) for featured news and the schedule. The site's usefulness would be improved by background on the network's original programs (classy talk shows, nature documentaries and Mexican collegiate football) and a movie schedule. Canal 11 offers international films in their original language, and it would be a good strategy to let viewers know when their favorites are being broadcast. To leave a comment, visit http://www.oncetv.ipn.mx/email1.htm.

Those looking for individual stations or TV programs should be sure to check out the TV and radio directory from Mexico Web Guide (http://mexico.web.com.mx/mx/tvradio.html).

Next month we take a look at the cable networks, including Multivision, HBO Ole and ESPN.

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