Telemundo’s World Cup coverage has been gaining popularity, with many fans, including non-Spanish speakers, opting for the network’s passionate and energetic commentary. Giovanni Canales, a 24-year-old fan, prefers watching the World Cup in Spanish on Telemundo, despite not speaking the language himself.

Telemundo’s Strategy

Telemundo began courting non-Spanish speakers months ago, with a Super Bowl ad featuring Owen Wilson. The network’s strategy seems to be paying off, with a record 23.2 million viewers tuning in for the July 5 match between Mexico and England.

Some fans prefer Telemundo’s coverage because it doesn’t cut to commercials during hydration breaks, allowing spectators to witness key moments of tension and anticipation among players and coaches. Others cite Fox’s pro-America bent or a general dislike of the network’s analyst, Alexi Lalas, as a reason for choosing Telemundo.

Atmosphere and Excitement

The atmosphere at Socceria, a soccer-themed cantina in Brooklyn, is a testament to Telemundo’s popularity. Owner Tania Apolinar says the bar has been showing around 95% of the matches in Spanish, and the crowd seems to enjoy the passionate commentary. Fans like Emily Hittner and Kevin Gleason prefer the Telemundo experience because it feels more exciting and has more heart behind the game.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.