Telemundo’s World Cup coverage has been a huge success, with the network reporting a significant increase in viewership compared to the 2022 tournament. The July 5 match between Mexico and England drew in a record 23.2 million viewers for the network.
Why Telemundo’s Coverage Stands Out
For many Latin American fans in the US, watching the World Cup in Spanish is a given. However, even some people who don’t have Latin American roots or don’t speak Spanish are opting for Telemundo over Fox. The network’s spirited soccer commentary, with sportscaster Andrés Cantor’s signature cries of ‘goooooooool,’ has made the games more exciting to watch.
Meghan Dyer Pavs, a former elementary school teacher, calls Telemundo broadcasts ‘the best thing in American culture right now.’ She has convinced her kids and husband to watch the games on Telemundo, and recently converted her college roommate as well. Comedian Trevor Noah is also a fan, declaring Telemundo ‘the best coverage in town.’
Telemundo’s Strategy
Telemundo is well aware of its new viewer base. The network began courting non-Spanish speakers months ago, with a Super Bowl ad featuring Owen Wilson getting swept up in the energy of Telemundo’s commentators. During the France-Sweden match, one announcer briefly switched into English to thank viewers who don’t speak Spanish for watching.
Telemundo’s World Cup broadcasts have been successful, with the network reporting more than double its audience for the 2022 tournament. The difference in viewership between Telemundo and Fox Sports is not as vast as one might expect, with Telemundo drawing in 23.2 million viewers for the Mexico-England match, compared to Fox’s 21.7 million viewers.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.