Telemundo delivers best February performance.

Based on the ratings results provided by Nielsen Media Research for their National Hispanic Television Index (NHTI), Telemundo Network continues building its audience; registering the best February sweeps performance ever for Monday through Friday (M-F) prime in adults 18-49 (A18-49) and adults 18-34 (A18-34). Attracting an additional 160,000 A18-49 and 114,000 A18-34 viewers in Feb’06 vs. last year, these results clearly state once again Telemundo is the fastest growing broadcast network among both A18-49 and A18-34 in M-F prime; while both Univision and Telefutura combined continue to lose viewership.

Averaging a 3.8 rating with a 24% share of Spanish-language broadcast television in A18-49 (up 23% vs. Feb. ’05) and a 3.7 rating with a 24% share of Spanish-language television in A18-34 (up 32% vs. Feb.’05), Telemundo averaged 780,000 A18-49 viewers and 461,000 A18-34 viewers during the month of February. This makes Telemundo the only Spanish-language broadcast network with primetime growth over last year in both A18-49 and A18-34.

February also marked the first month Telemundo subscribed to Nielsen’s NTI service. With an average of 793,000 A18-49 viewers in weekday prime (M-F 7-11PM), the network ranked #11 among all broadcast and cable networks. In fact, Telemundo’s performance out-delivered 96% of the cable networks reported in the daypart by Nielsen.

In general market prime (Mon-Sat/8-11PM, Sun/7-11PM) Telemundo averaged 715,000 A18-49 viewers, ranking #13 among all broadcast and cable networks. Telemundo’s performance out-delivered 93% of the cable networks reported in the daypart by Nielsen.

“These results confirm that the quality of our original productions is being embraced by a growing and enthusiastic audience,” said Don Browne, President, Telemundo. “Our network is clearly on the right track.”

Some of the primetime highlights by program include:

– “La Tormenta” averaged a 3.2 rating (649,000 viewers) in A18-49 in Feb’06, increasing 10% vs. Feb’05 (2.9). Among A18-34 “La Tormenta” posted a 3.0 rating (380,000 viewers), growing the time period 15% vs. last year (2.6). Compared to its premiere month of September 2005, “La Tormenta’s” ratings have increased 10% in A18-49 (3.2 vs. 2.9) and 11% in A18-34 (3.0 vs. 2.7).

– Novela sensation “El Cuerpo del Deseo” averaged a 4.7 rating and nearly one million A18-49 viewers, gaining 68% vs. the Feb’05 (2.8) time period. In A18-34 “El Cuerpo del Deseo” delivered a 4.4 rating (555,000 viewers) increasing 83% vs. Feb’05 (2.4). Compared to its premiere month of July 2005, “El Cuerpo del Deseo’s” ratings have increased 68% in A18-49 (4.7 vs. 2.8) and 83% in A18-34 (4.4 vs. 2.4).

– The premiere of Telemundo’s new hit novella, “Tierra de Pasiones” averaged a 4.8 rating and nearly one million A18-49 viewers, making it the highest-rated premiere for an 8PM novela and the second-highest rated premiere ever for Telemundo. “Tierra de Pasiones” continued to deliver a record setting performance in its first week, posting the highest A18-49 rating in week one compared to all other Telemundo 8PM novelas in their first weeks and the second-best debut week performance compared to all Telemundo novelas in other time periods. With a 4.3 rating (871,000 viewers) in A18-49 in its first week, “Tierra de Pasiones” improved the Feb’05 time period delivery (3.0) by 43%. Among A18-34 “Tierra de Pasiones” averaged a 4.1 rating (516,000 viewers) bringing even more impressive growth to the time period, +58% vs. Feb’05 (2.6).

– “Corazón Partido” averaged a 2.8 rating (577,000 viewers) in A18-49 and a 2.6 rating (334,000 viewers) in A18-34 in Feb’06. Compared to the novela’s debut month of Nov’05, “Corazón Partido” has grown 17% in A18-49 (2.8 vs. 2.4) and 13% in A18-34 (2.6 vs. 2.3).

– At 9:30 PM “Decisiones: Casos Extraordinaros” averaged a 3.1 rating (639,000 viewers) in A18-49, increasing the delivery achieved in its premiere month (2.8) by 11%. In A18-34 the show averaged a 3.2 rating (399,000 viewers), growing 10% vs. Feb’05 (2.9) and 7% vs. the Nov’05 premiere month performance (3.0).

– At 10PM, Telemundo’s nightly series “Decisiones” averaged a 3.9 rating (808,000viewers) in A18-49, growing 15% vs. Feb’05 (3.4) and 44% vs. its Oct’05 premiere month (2.7). Among the younger A18-34 demo “Decisiones” also exhibited impressive growth, averaging a 4.1 rating (512,000 viewers), up 21% vs. the year ago time period (3.4) and 52% vs. its Oct’05 premiere (2.7).

Source: NHTI 1/30/06-2/24/06, 1/31/05-2/25/05. TP data for M-F 7-11PM average; PAV data for programs. Live+Same Day ratings for Feb’06; Live ratings for Feb’05. NTI 1/30/06-2/26/06 Live+Same Day.