Univision Networks Shatters Audience Records.

Univision Communications Inc. announced that the Univision Network shattered all of its previous primetime and total day audience level records, attracting the largest Hispanic Adult 18-49 and 18-34 audiences in its history, in the 2004 fourth quarter. The Network’s Hispanic Adult 18-49 viewership increased 8% in primetime and 5% in total day, while its Hispanic Adult 18-34 audience increased 17% in primetime and 12% in total day. During the quarter, Univision broadcast 49 of the top 50 programs among Hispanic Adults 18-49 and delivered more Hispanic Adults 18-49 and 18-34 in primetime than the “Big 4” English-language networks and Telemundo, combined. Univision’s primetime Adult 18-49 audience was 240% larger than Telemundo’s.

Univision’s first-rate, cutting-edge novelas were far ahead of the competition in quality and viewership once again, as they were the undisputed favorite primetime programming choice among Hispanic Americans in the fourth quarter. Fueled by the finale of “Amarte Es Mi Pecado,” one of the most popular novelas in Univision’s history, and the success of two newfound audience favorites “Amor Real” and “Rubi,” Univision’s primetime novela block saw a Hispanic Adult 18-49 audience increase of 29% and a Hispanic Adult 18-34 audience increase of 37% over the course of the fourth quarter.

The finale of “Amarte Es Mi Pecado” was the second highest-ranked novela finale audience in Univision’s history. “Amor Real” was an instant hit when it premiered on October 25, 2004, attracting the largest audience of any other novela premiere. It currently ranks as the most-watched novela of all time on the Univision Network. Additionally, “Rubi” continued to charm audiences as it increased its Adult 18-49 viewership 47% over the course of the quarter. While Univision’s novelas were captivating viewers and growing their audiences, Telemundo was losing ground. Its primetime novela block audience was down 6% among Hispanic Adults 18-49 and 8% among Hispanic Adults 18-34 over the course of the quarter.

“The Univision Network finished 2004 with great momentum, as it continued to attract Hispanic viewers of all ages and cultural backgrounds with the absolute best information and entertainment programming throughout the day,” said Otto Padron, Vice-President, Programming and Promotions, Univision Network. “The spectacular results from this quarter indicate that our efforts to always deliver an extensive variety of high-caliber programming have succeeded. We will continue to connect with our dedicated viewers and attract new viewers, as we deliver the top programming choices on Spanish-language television.”

During the quarter, audiences flocked to watch the new reality program “Lo Veremos Todo con Niurka y Bobby,” which provided an intimate look at the lives of one of the hottest Hispanic celebrity couples. “Niurka y Bobby’s” Hispanic Adult 18-49 and 18-34 audiences were respectively 15% and 25% larger than the audiences during the same time period last year. Long-time favorites “Cristina” and “Don Francisco Presenta” also saw terrific audience increases compared to the 2003 fourth quarter, with each program drawing its largest quarterly audience in history among Hispanic Viewers 2+, Adults 18-49 and 18-34.

NOVEMBER SWEEPS

Primetime

– Univision’s top quality primetime novelas, comedy shows and reality shows made Univision owned-and-operated stations #1 in any language among Adult viewers 18-49 in Houston, Phoenix, Miami, Fresno, and Bakersfield.

– Among all Adult 18-34 viewers, Univision also surpassed its English-and Spanish language competitors to take the #1 spot in primetime in Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Miami, Fresno, and Bakersfield.

– Univision owned and operated stations across the country were the #1 Spanish-language stations in their markets in primetime among Hispanic Adults 18-34, Hispanic Adults 18-49, and Hispanic Adults 25-54.

Sign-on to Sign-off
– Univision’s undeniable strength was continuous throughout the day. Univision stations were the #1 broadcast stations in any language sign-on to sign-off in Miami, Phoenix, and Fresno among all Adults 18-49.

– More Adult 18-34 viewers in Dallas, Houston, Miami, Phoenix, and Fresno chose Univision sign-on to sign-off, making it #1 in those markets.

– Univision’s owned and operated stations across the country were the #1 Spanish-language stations in their markets during sign-on to sign-off among Hispanic Adults 18-34, Hispanic Adults 18-49, and Hispanic Adults 25-54.

Early and Late Evening Local News

– Univision stations’ commitment to the communities they serve is evidenced by their offering of the top-rated early evening local newscasts, beating all other English and Spanish language stations, in Miami, Dallas, San Francisco, Phoenix, Houston (tied), and Fresno among all Adults 18-34.

– Univision stations have held the #1 spot among all Adults 18-34 in early evening local news for at least the last five sweeps in Miami, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston and Fresno.

– Univision’s late local newscasts in Miami, Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix also garner more Adult 18-34 viewers than any other station in the market.

– Among all Adults 18-49, Univision station ranked #1 with their early evening news in Fresno, Miami, Phoenix, Houston (tied) and San Francisco (tie).

Source: Nielsen Hispanic Television Index, Nielsen Hispanic Station Index or Nielsen Station Index.