Telemundo delivers its best May sweeps.

Telemundo announced it posted its strongest May sweep performance ever in Monday through Friday prime (M-F 7PM – 11PM), averaging a 3.7 rating / 764,000 in Adults 18-49 (A18-49), which represents a 48% gain over May’05 (2.5 rating) and a 27 share of the audience watching the three major Spanish-language broadcast networks. Among Adults 18-34 (A18-34) the network averaged a 3.5 rating / 443,000 with a 25 share, up 59% over the same month last year (2.2 rating). This marks the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth in both demos for Telemundo M-F prime; making Telemundo the only Spanish-language broadcast network with ratings increases over last year while its closest competition continue to face a downtrend. These results ratify Telemundo as the fastest growing broadcaster among Hispanics A18-49 and A18-34 in M-F prime; giving the network a great start for a healthy Upfront season.

“As we mentioned at our Upfront presentation, Telemundo has delivered on its promise to perform thanks to a renewed commitment to original content. Our success has been driven by the right architecture, expertise, talent, and a great team,” said Don Browne, President, Telemundo. “May’s numbers vis-a-vis the competition position Telemundo as the Spanish-language network of the future.”

Some of the primetime highlights include:

“La Tormenta”(7PM)averaged a 3.4 rating/686,000 in A18-49, growing 55% vs. time period delivery’s a year ago(2.2). Among A18-34 the novela averaged a 3.1 rating/388,000, increasing last May’s time period performance(1.9)by 63%.

At 8PM “Tierra de Pasiones” averaged a 3.8 rating / 782,000 in A18-49 and a 3.3 rating / 419,000 in A18-34, increasing the time period’s performance by 36% and 43%, respectively, compared to last year.

“Corazón Partido” (9PM) averaged a 3.3 / 679,000 in A18-49, gaining 27% vs. the prior year’s M-F/9-10PM average (2.6). Among A18-34 the novela delivered a 3.2 rating / 401,000, up 33% vs. last year (2.4).

At 10PM “Decisiones” averaged a 4.2 rating / 855,000, doubling the year ago time period delivery (2.1). The show also registered impressive growth among the younger A18-34 demo with a 4.3 rating / 546,000, up 115% vs. May’05.

Telemundo’s local owned and operated stations also registered outstanding results during the May sweeps period. In Los Angeles, Telemundo’s KVEA–Ch. 52’s primetime average in A18-49 went up 38% vs. last year, achieving a 16 share of prime. WNJU-Ch.47, Telemundo’s station in New York, registered a 55 share of the A18-49 audience after a 47% year-to-year increase in its primetime average (9.7 vs. 6.6); placing WNJU at the helm in the market as the #1 station in the time period. Telemundo Chicago, WSNS-Ch.44, also grew its A18-49 primetime performance by 17% vs. May 05, achieving an 18 share of M-F prime. For Miami’s WSCV-Ch.51, the primetime average among Hispanic households increased by 35% vs. May 05, achieving a 37 share in prime and also making WSCV the #1 station in the market in primetime; while KVDA-Ch. 60 in San Antonio increased its primetime Hispanic household average by 27% vs. May 05 (3.3 vs. 2.6), garnering a 19 share of M-F prime.

Source: NHTI 5/1/06-5/28/06, 4/25/05-5/29/05. TP data for M-F 7-11PM average; PAV data for programs. Live+Same Day ratings for May’06. Live ratings for May’05. NHSI 4/27/06 – 5/24/06.