Streaming Access in Rural Mexico Limited to 800,000 People

In Mexico, only 800,000 people in rural areas have access to streaming platforms due to economic and technological barriers. The lack of digital infrastructure and the costs associated with internet devices and services contributes to this disparity, which stands in stark contrast to the 10.9 million users in urban areas, according to the latest National Survey on Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Households (ENDUTIH).

"Users may be limited in accessing content. This kind of situation started with the arrival of pay TV, which gradually took away the possibility for many people to access entertainment and even sports," said Claudia Benassini, researcher, La Salle University, in an interview with Expansión. "Streaming is becoming almost a luxury. Not everyone can afford it."

Over the past decade, access to entertainment in Mexico has undergone a significant transformation, shifting from an open model, widely accessible to most of the population, to one that relies heavily on digital platforms. This transition has been driven by the expansion of the streaming industry. 

According to the ENDUTIH 2023, three out of 10 households in Mexico still rely on analog TV, limiting their ability to access streaming platforms. Furthermore, acquiring a smartphone –essential for enjoying these services– represents a significant expense. In states like Chiapas and Oaxaca, residents must spend up to 72% and 58% of their monthly income, respectively, to purchase low-end devices, according to the State Digital Development Index from Centro México Digital. In Mexico City, residents spend only 28% of their monthly income on smartphones.

Furthermore, new policies from streaming platforms, such as restrictions on password sharing, have further increased costs for consumers, as previously reported by MBN. This practice, once used by users to reduce costs, now requires additional payments if an account is shared outside the household.

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) has recognized the growing importance of streaming in everyday life by including it in the basic basket to measure its impact on inflation.