While the record ratings performance involving the U.S. and Mexican national teams garnering many headlines during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Univision Deportes Network has been quietly putting record number of viewers on its Nielsen board.
Converting the 40-million subscriber cable service to a de facto World Cup channel throughout the tournament, U.S. Spanish-language media leader Univision Commuications has reaped delivery rewards, as the channel rang up its top Nielsen performance in viewers in total day and primetime.
Proffering World Cup match simulcasts with flagship Univision channel, match replays, highlights, commentary and analysis of all the action from Brazil, UDN averaged 175,000 viewers in total day and 161,000 in primetime from June 16 through June 22 to rank as its best week ever in those measures. UDN, which is carried by all of the nation’s top distributors, save for Comcast, also tallied strong deliveries among persons 18 to 49, notching 98,000 of those viewers in total day and 101,000 in primetime.
Univision Deportes Futbol Club, the network’s soccer news, analysis, and debate show, set new marks by averaged 158,000 viewers and 96,000 persons 18 to 49, deliveries that made it the most-viewed sports news program on Spanish-language cable last week.
“Soccer is a passion point for Hispanics and Univision Deportes continues to be the number one destination for soccer fans in the U.S. The success we have seen on Univision Deportes Network throughout the 2014 World Cup is a testament to the popularity of live sports and soccer in particular as well as the power of our content,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, president of Univision Deportes.
With those deliveries, officials at the network said it outscored MLB Network, Fox Sports 1 and NBC Sports Network in those measures during primetime and in total day from June 16 through June 22. Network officials said UDN during total day topped MLBN by 80% in viewers and 197% among adults 18 to 49, respectively, last week, while outdrawing FS1 by 99% and 197%, and NBCSN by 154% and 263%.
As for primetime, UDN said it was ahead of FS1 by 10% in viewers and 63% in the demo, and outpaced NBCSN by 18% and 106%. It also held a 74% edge over MLBN with the viewers Madison Avenue favors most.
The World Cup-fueled performance furthers UDN’s 2014 Nielsen moment. Year-to-date, the service, according to network officials, ranks as the fastest-growing channel in cable. Through June 22, UDN had registered a 109% jump to 113,000 viewers in primetime, including a 112% surge to 72,000 adults 18 to 49. In total, UDN was ahead 142% and 155% to 46,000 viewers and 28,000 demo watchers, respectively.
“The 2014 World Cup is delivering very well for Univision Deportes Network. In fact, UDN beat NBC Sports Network, MLB Network and Fox Sports 1 last week and is currently the fastest-growing cable network this year regardless of language, English or Spanish," said Rodriguez. "Our viewers are tuning into UDN to experience our passionate and colorful coverage they can’t get anywhere else.”
With Mexico and U.S. concluding their group stage action and advancing to the round of 16 -- El Tri meets The Netherlands on June 29 -- UDN figures to ring up another strong ratings performace with the Nielsen week ending that night.
