XHAS-TDT: A History of Tijuana's Channel 33
The story of XHAS-TDT, known to many as Channel 33, is a complex journey of regulatory hurdles, journalistic independence, and shifting network loyalties. Serving the Tijuana region, the station has evolved from a struggling concession in the 1960s to a pivotal player in Spanish-language broadcasting for the border region.
Early Struggles and the Path to Launch
The origins of XHAS date back to March 1968, when Mario Rincón Espinosa, head of Tele Nacional, S.A., secured a concession for a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) station in Tijuana. Assigned to channel 33 with a visual effective radiated power of 105 kW, the project faced significant delays. By 1971, Rincón Espinosa received authorization to reduce the station's power by half.
The station's early years were marked by administrative tension. In 1976, the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT)—the government body overseeing Mexican communications—requested revised technical data that went unanswered. This led to a July 1978 notification in the Diario Oficial warning that the SCT would begin proceedings to revoke the concession.
The 1980s: Launch and the Rise of Síntesis
XHAS finally signed on the air in the fall of 1981 after receiving a new concession in September of that year. Initially, the station functioned primarily as a rebroadcaster for Televisa's XEW, reserving only two hours a day for independent programming and Mexican cinema.
A turning point occurred in 1985 with the launch of Síntesis, a local newscast produced by the subcontracted company Logovisión. Síntesis gained popularity for its unbiased reporting, often outperforming XEWT in local surveys. The program became particularly notable for reporting voting irregularities during the 1989 Baja California gubernatorial elections.
This independence created friction with Televisa, which allegedly viewed the coverage as disrespectful to Mexican institutions. In retaliation, Televisa removed its programs from the XHAS local block to limit the station's advertising revenue. XHAS responded by filling its local window with programming from Imevisión.
Network Transitions and Corporate Shifts
By September 1990, the strained relationship with Televisa led XHAS to switch its affiliation to the U.S.-based Spanish-language network Telemundo. This transition prompted an inquiry from the SCT, which questioned the "arbitrary" nature of the affiliation change.
The 1990s brought further upheaval. In December 1994, new management fired the Síntesis team to establish an in-house news department. The Síntesis team eventually moved to XHJK and Televisión Azteca. In 2000, Entravision acquired operating control of the station, sparking a $30 million lawsuit from Telemundo, which claimed it held the right of first refusal.
During this era, the station expanded its local presence with a 6 p.m. weekday newscast in 2002 and expanded its sports coverage, airing 109 Spanish-language broadcasts of the San Diego Padres during the 2005 season.
Modern Era: From Azteca América to Estrella TV
The landscape shifted again in 2017. NBC announced plans to launch a Telemundo owned-and-operated (O&O) station in San Diego via KNSD. Consequently, XHAS's affiliation with Telemundo expired on June 30, 2017. At midnight on July 1, 2017, Telemundo programming moved to a subchannel of KNSD (now KUAN-LD).
Simultaneously, XHAS became an affiliate of Azteca América. This network had previously been carried on a subchannel of sister station XHDTV-TDT starting in March 2017 before moving fully to XHAS.
In October 2022, it was announced that Intermedia, the owner of XHILA-TDT in Mexicali, would take over the station's programming on November 2, rebranding it as "Canal 33." By 2023, XHAS-TDT transitioned once more, becoming an affiliate of Estrella TV.
Key Facts
- Callsign: XHAS-TDT (Channel 33).
- First Sign-on: Fall 1981.
- Notable Newscast: Síntesis, known for its independent coverage in the 1980s.
- Major Affiliations: Televisa (initial), Telemundo (1990–2017), Azteca América (2017–2022), and Estrella TV (2023).
- Key Owners/Operators: Tele Nacional, S.A., Entravision, and Intermedia.
| Period | Primary Affiliation/Identity | Key Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 – 1990 | Televisa (XEW) / Independent | Launch of Síntesis newscast (1985) |
| 1990 – June 2017 | Telemundo | Entravision acquires operating control (2000) |
| July 2017 – Dec 2022 | Azteca América | Telemundo moves to KNSD/KUAN-LD |
| Nov 2022 – 2023 | Canal 33 (Intermedia) | Programming takeover by Intermedia |
| 2023 – Present | Estrella TV | Current network affiliation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did XHAS switch from Televisa to Telemundo in 1990?
The switch was driven by a deteriorating relationship between the station and Televisa, largely due to the independent and critical reporting of the Síntesis newscast, which led Televisa to pull its programming from the station's local block.
What was the significance of the Síntesis newscast?
Síntesis was regarded as a more unbiased alternative to Televisa's news. It gained prominence for its independence and its reporting on voting irregularities during the 1989 Baja California gubernatorial elections.
When did XHAS stop being a Telemundo affiliate?
The affiliation expired on June 30, 2017, after NBC decided to launch its own owned-and-operated Telemundo station in the San Diego market.
Who currently manages the programming for XHAS-TDT?
Following a takeover by Intermedia (owner of XHILA-TDT) in November 2022, the station transitioned to become an affiliate of Estrella TV in 2023.
Did XHAS ever broadcast sports?
Yes, in the 2005 season, XHAS carried 109 Spanish-language telecasts of the San Diego Padres.