NYC’s Primetime Likes Spanish?

In an astonishing television ratings upset, it has emerged that a Spanish-language TV program is New York’s third highest rated prime time show on commercial television regardless of language. “La Madrastra” (The Stepmother), a first-run novela on Univision’s WXTV Channel 41 was New York’s third highest rated prime time TV program out of 27 prime time programs seen between 8 pm and 11 pm on New York’s nine commercial TV stations last night, Thursday, August 4. That means that “La Madrastra” was watched by more viewers in key audience categories – including the broadest measure of viewership — than TV powerhouses such as NBC’s “Law & Order” and ABC’s “Hooking Up.” “La Madrastra” is broadcast from 9 pm to 10 pm weekdays on Spanish-language Univision 41 (WXTV). “La Madrastra” trailed only CBS’ “CSI” and “Without a Trace” in yesterday’s ratings race.

“La Madrastra” was seen in 360,444 New York area households by 511,004 viewers over age two according to Nielsen Station Index (NSI) local people meter overnight ratings. “La Madrastra” also finished third out of 27 prime time programs in the two key audience categories, persons aged 18 to 49 and 25 to 54 years old. 268,946 viewers aged 18 to 49 watched “La Madrastra” last night. 299,642 viewers aged 25 to 54 watched “La Madrastra.”