Key Media Consumption Trends in Mexico
According to the study “Portrait of Modern Mexico” by ACSI Research, Mexicans predominantly consume cola-based soft drinks over alcoholic beverages, enjoy watching football (soccer), and prefer streaming content over going to the cinema.
Preferred Media Sources
The primary sources for information and entertainment among 95% of Mexicans are social media, television, and the web. Radio accounts for 4%, while written press remains a niche preferred by only 1% of the audience.
- WhatsApp: 53.9% use it throughout the day
- Facebook, TikTok, X, Instagram: 43% claim to be in contact with these platforms all day
- Television: 30.2% watch it multiple times a day; 25.9% prefer streaming content
Preference for television over social media increases with age (55+), while younger individuals and those with higher incomes favor social media. Written press, followed by a small segment of high socioeconomic status and above-average education levels, remains relevant.
Beverage Consumption
Mexico remains a heavy consumer of cola-based soft drinks (81.2%), with the dominant brand being the one you’d expect. Apple-flavored sodas come in second place (12.7%).
In the alcoholic beverage category, cerveza (50.8%) leads, followed by tequila (20.6%), whisky (12%), and vodka (8.6%). Interestingly, mezcal does not appear in the preferences.
There’s an intriguing correlation between alcoholic beverage preferences and sociodemographic factors, as well as music genres. Cerveza enthusiasts are predominantly young, married men; tequila, cerveza, and ron drinkers prefer regional, banda, and norteña music; whisky drinkers favor rock, while vodka and brandy fans listen to pop-ballad music.
Despite the rise of e-commerce, physical shopping remains the majority choice. When asked about their preferred shopping method, nearly 80% chose in-store physical shopping, 12.5% opted for online web or store, 1.9% via telephone, and 6.6% through catalogs or other means.
Arts, Sports, and Entertainment
Football (soccer) remains the most popular sport in Mexico (40%), surpassing baseball (6.8%) and even boxing (9.8%). Lucha libre maintains a respectable position with 5.6% of the surveyed audience’s interest.
Music preferences lean towards regional, banda, and norteño genres (25.1%), followed by pop and ballad music (20.8%) and rock (15.5%). Cumbia, salsa, reggaeton, and bélico corridos collectively account for 22%, while classical music and opera hold a slight edge over K-pop (4.8%) at 5%.
When asked about leisure activities, 37.3% reported watching movies or series on streaming platforms; 15.2% exercise; 14.2% listen to music; 12.3% rest; 5.7% go to the cinema; 4.7% read books; 4.7% cook; 3.1% walk to commercial areas; and 1.6% go shopping.
AI: A Mix of Optimism and Fear
Regarding artificial intelligence, men are more familiar with it and perceive more benefits, while women express concern about job displacement and potential inequality.
Overall, Mexicans’ attitudes toward AI range from optimism to fear: 85% recognize AI as a work-enhancing tool; 80% believe it should be promoted and learned by everyone to simplify life; 70% assert that AI will eliminate many jobs; and 61.3% believe AI will increase global inequality and unemployment.
Notable Findings
Primary Leisure Activity (%)
- Watch movies/series on streaming: 37.3
- Exercise: 15.2
- Listen to music: 14.2
- Rest: 12.3
- Go to the cinema: 5.7
- Read books: 4.7
- Cook: 4.7
- Walk to commercial areas: 3.1
- Go shopping: 1.6
Preferred Information Source (%)
- Social media: 53.3
- Television: 22.4
- Internet: 19.3
- Radio: 4
- Written press: 1
