Univision's live broadcast of Wednesday night's USA vs. Mexico international friendly in Arizona was one of the most watched programs in the United States and the second most-watched Spanish-language sports telecast in U.S. TV history. With more than six million viewers, the match was also seen by a larger Hispanic audience than has tuned in for any Super Bowl.
The numbers were highlighted by an extremely high count in the nation's largest Hispanic media market, Los Angeles. Nearly 1.2 million viewers tuned in to KMEX-TV's broadcast, beating out other major network programs including Fox's "American Idol" and ABC's "Lost."
The game, which the U.S. national team won by a 2-0 score, was also the No. 1 ranked program in its time slot for adults 18-49 in L.A. and San Francisco and No. 2 in the same demographic in Dallas. More men aged 18-49 watched USA vs. Mexico than any other program in L.A. and San Francisco and Dallas, while it was No. 2 among the same group in both New York and Chicago.
USA vs. Mexico attracted 6,131,000 total Hispanic viewers on Wednesday night, while Sunday's Super Bowl brought in 5,206,000. The numbers for the CONCACAF rivalry were also stronger among Hispanic adults ages 18-49 and men 18-49.
Univision Communications, which includes Univision Network, TeleFutura and Galavision, owns the Spanish-language rights to Major League Soccer games and will air 25 regular-season contests in the 2007 season. Those broadcasts will take place on Sunday nights, with additional coverage of the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
