Univision Deportes Outperforms ESPN Deportes and Fox Deportes

The network launched in April 2012 and a year and a half later, it already outrates the other well-established Spanish language cable sports networks, ESPN Deportes and Fox Deportes. In the third quarter of 2013, Univision Deportes outpaces the other two networks in the 18-49 demographic and is in more homes than ESPN and Fox.

In addition, Nielsen has begun reporting Univision Deportes’ ratings as of this week.

We have the Univision Deportes announcement.

UnivisionDeportes_Hero_780x439UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK OUTPERFORMS ESPN DEPORTES AND FOX DEPORTES TO BECOME THE NO.1 SPANISH-LANGUAGE SPORTS CABLE NETWORK IN THE U.S.

Nielsen Begins Publicly Reporting Univision Deportes Network Ratings

  • Delivers the highest ratings in live Spanish-language cable sports
  • Beats ESPN Deportes and Fox Deportes in primetime and total day with Adults 18-49 and Persons 2+
  • Airs the most live sports events

NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29, 2013Univision Deportes Network (UDN), the 24-hour Spanish language sports network owned by Univision Communications Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic America, announced that during the third quarter it outperformed ESPN Deportes (ESPND) and Fox Deportes (FOXD) as the No.1 Spanish-language cable sports network in primetime and total day, and is now the largest Spanish-language sports network thanks to its unprecedented growth as it relates to distribution, speed of  viewership growth, most popular programming and live sports events aired. UDN also announced that beginning October 28, 2013 Nielsen will publicly report ratings for UDN, which was launched in April 2012.

“The Nielsen ratings are proof positive that Univision Deportes Network delivers quality content and programming that drives viewers to our network and keeps them coming back and makes us the official home of Hispanic sports fans,” said UDN President Juan Carlos Rodriguez. “Through an emphasis on securing the rights of the best soccer properties, live programming, strategic partnerships, relevant content production, and integrated social media engagement we will continue to bolster our leadership position.”

UDN outperforms ESPND and FOXD during primetime viewing for the third quarter of 2013{1}:

  • UDN – 52,000 Adults 18-49; 83,000 P2+
  • FOXD – 31,000 Adults 18-49; 55,000 P2+
  • ESPND – 31,000 Adults 18-49; 54,000 P2+

UDN represents the fastest-growing Spanish-language sports network on television {2}:

  • UDN is available in 35 million total households following the recent Time Warner agreement
  • UDN distribution surpasses FOXD’s 21.2 million distribution and ESPND’s 17.3 million distribution

UDN surpasses ESPND and FOXD airing the most live sports events:

  • UDN had 38 of the top 50 sports telecasts with P2+ that aired on UDN, FOXD, and ESPD in the third quarter of 2013{3}
  • UDN is No.1 cable network for LigaMX with more viewers than ESPND LigaMX telecasts{4}
  • UDN averaging 99,000 Adults 18-49 for exclusive LigaMX matches this season, up +82% from the same time period a year ago, and 155,000 P2+ per game, up +84% from a year ago{4}
  • UDN aired the top 10 LigaMX telecasts in cable, including the Santos/America game which aired live on September 13, 2013 on UDN averaging 368,000 P2+{5}

Led by LigaMX (the top professional soccer league in Mexico) and fueled by an exclusive content partnership with Mexican media powerhouse Televisa/TDN, UDN offers the most popular programming among its competitors. UDN’s soccer lineup also includes Mexican National Team soccer, U.S. Men’s National Team soccer, Major League Soccer, European soccer and more. UDN’s popular live shows include: Univision Deportes Fútbol Club, Contacto Deportivo, Fútbol Central and Fútbol en Serio. In summer 2014, UDN becomes a 24/7 World Cup network. Formula 1 racing is also part of the UDN schedule, and UDN content is seamlessly integrated with UnivisionDeportes.com with strong social media engagement.

In the third quarter of 2013, UDN offered more live sports than its Spanish-language competition {6}, airing 176 live events, more than ESPND and FOXD.

UDN also had a strong quarter in social media.  Since the beginning of July, engagement per post per fan on the Univision Deportes Facebook page has been 4 times that of FOXD and 8 times that of ESPND (Source: Facebook Insights).  Additionally, during the Gold Cup, UDN beat Fox Soccer in social media activity and engagement.  Over the course of the tournament, UDN added 14 times more fans than Fox Soccer, had 25% more Social audience per game on Twitter than Fox Soccer, and had 30% more average Twitter activity per game than Fox Soccer (Source: SocialGuide).

Source{1}: The Nielsen Company, NPM, NPMH (ESPD), 3Q13, L+SD data, MSU 6a-6a
Source{2}: The Nielsen Co., Oct. 2013, NHI UE report. UDN HH coverage number based on combination of most recent published Nielsen coverage estimates and UCI internal estimates as Nielsen numbers do not reflect the recently completed distribution deal with Time Warner.
Source{3}: The Nielsen Company, NPM, NPMH (ESPD), L+SD data, 3Q13, sports event type code
Source{4}: The Nielsen Company, NPM, L+SD data, 2013 LMX Apertura season through 10/20/13
Source{5}: The Nielsen Company, NPM, L+SD data
Source{6}: The Nielsen Company, 3Q13, live sports events only

That will finish things for now.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013. He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television. Fang celebrates the three Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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