This thesis examines the issues behind the Mexican government's decision to privatize television in the 1950s. It will be argued that a private system was thought to respond best to Mexico's economic, social, political and cultural conditions. The president's personal interest in this industry together with his power to do his will strongly influenced his decision to encourage a commercial system. There were other factors that accelerated this process: the structure of the radio industry, which was (and still is) characterized by its commercial tone and the fact that it was highly monopolized and centralized; the government's encouragement of private investment in communications-related ventures; the president's belief that commercial television would best promote the consumption of domestic goods; the relation of reciprocal cooperation established early between the government and the private broadcasters, which turned out to be highly convenient for both sides; and the broadcasters' successful lobbying to establish commercial television. The roles of the government, private initiative and society in the development of media are also studied.

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