Radio y Televisión Querétaro

Radio y Televisión Querétaro, commonly known as RTQ, is the public radio and television network of the Mexican state of Querétaro. It operates within the Sistema Estatal de Comunicación Cultural y Educativa del Gobierno de Querétaro, the state government system responsible for cultural and educational communication. The network’s remit combines broadcasting with public-service communication, serving audiences across Querétaro through radio and digital television rather than functioning as a commercial national media group. RTQ’s radio history began with XEQUE-AM on 1150 kHz, which went on the air on February 5, 1988, one day after its formal inauguration by Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid. Radio Querétaro was initially regarded as one of Mexico’s strongest noncommercial radio services and was favorably compared with Radio Educación. Its programming role placed emphasis on public, cultural, educational, and locally relevant communication rather than purely commercial audience maximization. The radio service was reorganized in 2005. XEQUE-AM was replaced by XHQUE-FM on 100.3 MHz, operating with 15 kilowatts effective radiated power. This change moved the principal Querétaro service from AM to FM and formed the basis of RTQ’s main radio presence. The state also sought to extend radio coverage into the Sierra Gorda region. An application made in 2005 led to the permit for XEQJAL-AM on 1200 kHz in Jalpan de Serra, a 5-kilowatt daytime station that began broadcasting after receiving authorization in early 2007. That permit was not renewed, and a substitute concession for XECPAC-AM on the same frequency was granted on September 18, 2019. RTQ expanded into television through digital terrestrial broadcasting. In January 2012, Mexico’s telecommunications regulator Cofetel awarded SECCE a permit for a digital television station using callsign XHSECE-TDT on channel 50. The station became one of two new public television services associated with Querétaro at that stage, alongside the OPMA transmitter XHOPMQ-TDT. XHSECE’s transmission facilities were located in El Cimatario National Park, where other television transmitters serving the Querétaro area are also situated. In 2016, the service received virtual channel 10, providing a more stable viewer-facing identity than its underlying RF channel. The television operation was subsequently affected by Mexico’s nationwide spectrum-repacking process. In March 2018, to clear television services from the 600 MHz band, XHSECE-TDT was reassigned from channel 50 to channel 14 for continued digital broadcasting. This change illustrates RTQ’s role within Mexico’s regulated public-broadcasting infrastructure: its service identity remained in place while its technical transmission parameters were adjusted to comply with national spectrum policy. RTQ’s principal scope therefore consists of two radio services and one public television service within Querétaro. Its identity is tied to state-level cultural and educational communication, regional coverage, and public access to locally produced or locally relevant media. Available reference material does not establish a separate commercial corporate structure, private owner, stock-market listing, or internationally distributed brand. The network’s current operations, detailed programming mix, and present administrative leadership are not specified in the supplied sources.

RTQ developed as Querétaro’s state-level public broadcasting network, combining radio and television under the Sistema Estatal de Comunicación Cultural y Educativa del Gobierno de Querétaro. Its first documented radio service was XEQUE-AM on 1150 kHz, which began broadcasting on February 5, 1988, following its formal inauguration the previous day. The service was positioned as a noncommercial broadcaster and was noted for the quality and public-service character of its programming, drawing comparisons with Radio Educación. A major technical and organizational change occurred in 2005, when XEQUE-AM was replaced by XHQUE-FM on 100.3 MHz. The FM station operated with 15 kilowatts effective radiated power and became the principal radio outlet associated with the network in Querétaro. The state government also pursued a second radio service for Jalpan de Serra and the surrounding Sierra Gorda region. XEQJAL-AM on 1200 kHz, designed as a 5-kilowatt daytime station, began broadcasting after its permit was issued in early 2007. The permit was later not renewed; on September 18, 2019, a substitute concession for XECPAC-AM on the same frequency was granted. RTQ entered digital television in the early 2010s. In January 2012, Cofetel granted SECCE a permit for XHSECE-TDT, initially assigned to channel 50. The service was one of two new public television stations associated with Querétaro at that time, alongside the OPMA transmitter XHOPMQ-TDT. XHSECE’s transmitter was installed in El Cimatario National Park, a transmission location also used by other stations serving the state capital and surrounding area. In 2016, the station received virtual channel 10. Mexico’s television spectrum-repacking program prompted another technical change in March 2018. To facilitate the removal of television services from the 600 MHz band, XHSECE-TDT moved from channel 50 to channel 14 while retaining its digital television operation and virtual channel identity. The change reflected regulatory and spectrum-management requirements rather than a change in the network’s public-service role. Across its documented development, RTQ has remained a regional public broadcaster rather than a commercial national network. Its core activities are radio and television transmission for Querétaro, with an institutional mandate connected to cultural, educational, and state communication. The supplied reference material does not provide a complete account of its programming, staffing, audience reach, later technological developments, or current management.

1. 2019Substitute concession issued for XECPAC-AM

   A substitute concession for the 1200 kHz Jalpan-area service is granted under the callsign XECPAC-AM.

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2. 2018Television RF channel changes to 14

   XHSECE-TDT moves from channel 50 to channel 14 during Mexico’s 600 MHz spectrum-repacking process.

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3. 2016Television service receives virtual channel 10

   XHSECE-TDT is assigned virtual channel 10.

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4. 2012Digital television permit awarded

   Cofetel awards SECCE a permit for XHSECE-TDT, initially assigned to digital channel 50.

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5. 2007Jalpan de Serra station signs on

   XEQJAL-AM begins operation on 1200 kHz as a 5-kilowatt daytime station after receiving its permit.

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6. 2005Main radio service shifts from AM to FM

   XEQUE-AM is replaced by XHQUE-FM on 100.3 MHz, operating with 15 kilowatts effective radiated power.

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7. 1988XEQUE-AM begins broadcasting

   The network’s original radio service, XEQUE-AM on 1150 kHz, goes on air on February 5, one day after its formal inauguration.

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A state-operated, noncommercial public broadcaster focused on cultural, educational, informational, and regional communication for audiences in Querétaro.

• XHQUE-FMPublic radio2005

  RTQ’s principal documented FM radio service in Querétaro broadcasts on 100.3 MHz. It replaced the earlier XEQUE-AM service in 2005 and represents the network’s transition from AM transmission to an FM-based public radio platform.

• XECPAC-AMPublic radio2019

  The 1200 kHz radio service associated with the Jalpan de Serra area. It followed the earlier XEQJAL-AM operation after that permit was not renewed, with a substitute concession granted under the XECPAC-AM callsign in 2019.

• XHSECE-TDTPublic television2012

  RTQ’s digital terrestrial television service. It received a permit in 2012, was initially assigned RF channel 50, later obtained virtual channel 10, and moved to RF channel 14 in 2018 as part of Mexico’s 600 MHz spectrum-repacking process.

• 2018Reassignment of XHSECE-TDT to RF channel 14Strategy

  Mexico’s television spectrum-repacking process required services to vacate frequencies in the 600 MHz band.

  What changed. XHSECE-TDT moved from RF channel 50 to RF channel 14 while retaining its digital television service.

  Aftermath. The station continued digital operations under the network’s public television service.

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• 2012Launch of digital television serviceProduct launch

  SECCE received a permit from Cofetel to operate a new digital television station in Querétaro.

  What changed. XHSECE-TDT was authorized initially on channel 50.

  Aftermath. RTQ expanded from state public radio into digital terrestrial television.

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• 2005Replacement of XEQUE-AM with XHQUE-FMGeneration change

  The network’s original AM radio service was replaced as RTQ moved its principal Querétaro radio operation to FM.

  What changed. XHQUE-FM began operating on 100.3 MHz with 15 kilowatts effective radiated power.

  Aftermath. The change established an FM-based main radio service for the network.

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• 2019Substitute concession granted for XECPAC-AM

  After the earlier Jalpan de Serra permit was not renewed, a substitute concession for XECPAC-AM on 1200 kHz was granted on September 18, 2019.

  RegulationOther
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• 2018XHSECE moves to channel 14 during spectrum repacking

  As part of Mexico’s effort to move television services out of the 600 MHz band, XHSECE-TDT was reassigned from channel 50 to channel 14.

  Regulation
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• 2016XHSECE receives virtual channel 10

  The television service was assigned virtual channel 10, giving viewers a consistent channel identity independent of its radio-frequency allocation.

  RegulationProduct generation
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• 2012SECCE receives permit for digital television station

  Cofetel awarded the state communication system a permit for XHSECE-TDT, a digital television station initially assigned to channel 50.

  Product launchRegulation
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• 2007Jalpan de Serra radio permit begins operation

  Following an application by the state government and an authorization issued in early 2007, XEQJAL-AM began service on 1200 kHz as a 5-kilowatt daytime station.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2005XEQUE-AM radio service replaced by XHQUE-FM

  The network’s original AM service, XEQUE-AM on 1150 kHz, was replaced by XHQUE-FM on 100.3 MHz with 15 kilowatts effective radiated power.

  Product generation
  Source

1. Radio y Televisión Querétaro