Telemundo Moving Fast.

Telemundo announced that it will close out the year as the fastest-growing network for Hispanics in the United States in the key primetime demographic: Adults 18-49. The network’s success has been fueled in part by a unique programming strategy announced 18 months ago to produce 100% original primetime programming specifically tailored to the tastes of the U.S. Hispanic market in three production facilities throughout the globe.

The network’s move to 100% original productions in primetime is proving positive with the results of the November Sweeps showing continued growth for the network in many Dayparts including Prime and News. Weekday prime delivery for Adult18-49 has increased by 10%. Telemundo’s primetime audience has increased by 274,000 impressions among Hispanic Adults 18-49 during 2004 compared to 2003. This significant growth in primetime is more than double that of Univision and Telefutura combined.

“Our primetime performance represents great gains year-to-year and we are particularly gratified by the 33% year-to-year increase with our 9:00 pm novela-‘Gitanas’-our biggest production to-date shot in Mexico,” said Jim McNamara, Telemundo’s President and CEO. “This show as well as our other groundbreaking productions continues to solidify our overall network programming strategy to our commitment to producing 100% original primetime programming.”

Additionally, Telemundo’s strength is evident with its success in key local markets with its primetime focus delivering a 27% average year-to-year increase (TVHH) in the five Nielsen-metered markets: Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Chicago and San Antonio.

Looking ahead, Telemundo will continue its current primetime line-up into the first quarter and debut new Telemundo original novelas late in the first quarter, including “Frijol” and “La Ley del Silencio.” “Frijol” focuses on a charming little boy who is ultimately reunited with his father, and “La Ley del Silencio” is a gritty, urban drama set and shot on location in Dallas.

Also debuting are Daytime programs “Caso Cerrado,” hosted by Ana Maria Polo, and “Rocio,” a talk show with well-known personality Rocio Sanchez-Azuara. Both programs launch on January 3rd.

“We are absolutely committed to winning and believe these impressive November results are another step to our ultimate goal,” said McNamara. “Our new daytime programs and original novelas will continue to energize our audience.”

On the newsfront, Telemundo’s news programs have experienced significant growth. The nightly “Noticiero Telemundo” has increased delivery by 31% with Adult 18-49 year-to-year.

Additionally, Sunday’s “Sin Fronteras,” at 7:00 pm, has increased 42% with Adult 18-49 year-to-year.

Telemundo continues to make great strides in its long-standing commitment to news leadership and excellence by being the only Spanish broadcast network to carry all three presidential debates in their entirety. “Noticiero Telemundo” anchor Pedro Sevcec and correspondents held exclusive interviews with both President Bush and Senator Kerry, and Election Night Coverage, anchored by Sevcec in cooperation with NBC News, set a new benchmark for quality election coverage.