ViX Boosts TelevisaUnivision Merger: A Strategic Move in U.S. Market Plan

The United States is currently advancing a tariff strategy for productions outside the nation, though it remains unclear whether the tax will include foreign films on streaming platforms like ViX.

“New policies raise concerns about inflation and a possible economic slowdown in both the United States and Mexico. Deeper integration of our operations becomes increasingly crucial,” said Daniel Alegre, CEO of TelevisaUnivision, during a conference with analysts.

The catalogs of Grupo Televisa and Univision do not operate in parallel, despite their merger three years ago. This prevents the company from achieving the financial efficiencies expected, as well as the complete integration of content in Mexico and the United States, affecting its streaming business.

So far, TelevisaUnivision shows signs of financial balance but faces an industry marked by constant changes in its business model and threats of levies. Therefore, the company seeks to optimize its structure.

Claudia Benassini, a specialist in restricted television and digital platforms and a researcher at La Salle University, pointed out that integrating assets is a strategy that can help face macroeconomic challenges, although she considers that the process will be complex.

According to Benassini, TelevisaUnivision faces a real synergy problem, as at this moment “it seems that each company operates separately.”

“It is unclear what the company’s content strategy is. Televisa does not respond effectively, and Univision maintains a cautious relationship. They should move forward in parallel, but this no longer occurs as it did in other times,” commented Benassini.

Alegre, who took over as CEO in September 2024, pushed for a business reorganization to improve the financial situation. He eliminated about 1,000 jobs, 8% of the global workforce, and implemented other measures to cut costs by approximately $400 million to streamline roles that were duplicated with the merger of assets and thereby improve the company’s financial outlook.

However, the company still lacks a clear plan for content in synergy with Univision, one of the key television networks close to President Donald Trump.

“TelevisaUnivision needs to rethink its strategy not only financially but also structurally and in terms of content. We see increasing political and tariff pressures, and now they seek to impose taxes on productions. This places the company in a more challenging situation,” said Benassini.