LOS ANGELES, CA–(HISPANIC PR WIRE – BUSINESS WIRE)–April 18, 2005–Underscoring the immense popularity of soccer among U.S. Hispanics, the Copa Libertadores continues to deliver big ratings for Fox Sports en Espanol, the nation’s first, largest and most watched Spanish-language all-sports network. With an average household coverage area rating of 6.0, three of the network’s exclusive telecasts of the Copa Libertadores in first quarter 2005, not only ranked among the top-ten Spanish-language cable programs overall, but also reigned supreme among all Spanish-language sports network programming, according to Nielsen Media Research.
“It’s no secret that Latino fans are passionate about soccer and our ratings success with the Copa Libertadores reflects their preference for the quality and depth of programming that only Fox Sports en Espanol offers,” said David Sternberg, executive vice president and general manager of Fox Sports en Espanol. “We’ve had an unprecedented first quarter and anticipate that we will continue to over deliver for our advertisers as their most effective way to reach the coveted 18-49 male demographic.”
Legendary Mexican Club “Las Chivas de Guadalajara” has led the ratings charge during this year’s Copa Libertadores. Las Chivas’ first round match against Peru’s Cienciano delivered a strong household coverage area rating of 4.9 and, in terms of national audience percentage delivery, ranked number seven among all Spanish-language cable programs for the week of February 14-20. Meanwhile, the team’s second-round battle with Once Caldas of Colombia delivered a household coverage area rating of 5.4, or tenth place national audience percentage delivery for the week of February 28 – March 6. Three weeks later, the much anticipated match up between Las Chivas and San Lorenzo of Argentina became the only sports telecast to crack the top ten in national audience percentage delivery for the week of March 21-27, placing fifth overall with an exceptional household coverage area rating 7.6, or 239,000 Hispanic households nationwide.
Fox Sports en Espanol’s latest ratings successes come on the heels of its live telecast of the InterLiga competition. The 14-game tournament featured 8 Mexican clubs competing for the chance to win two automatic berths to the prestigious Copa Libertadores. The final game, featuring Las Chivas vs. Jaguares, delivered a household coverage area rating of 6.7, representing a seventh place rank in national audience percentage delivery for the week of January 10-16.
About Fox Sports en Espanol
Fox Sports en Espanol is available through affiliated cable systems and through DIRECTV and Dish Network satellite providers. Fox Sports en Espanol is distributed by Fox Cable Networks Group and operated by Fox Pan American Sports LLC, an international sports programming and production entity jointly owned by Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst; and News Corporation’s (NYSE:NWS) Fox Sports International; and Liberty Media Corporation.
Fox Sports en Espanol features more than 1,000 hours of live, exclusive sports programming in Spanish each year, including the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana and Interliga soccer tournaments; the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series; the Caribbean World Series; and championship boxing from Mexico and the U.S. The channel reaches more than 7 million cable and satellite households in the top 40 U.S. Hispanic markets. For more information, visit Fox Sports en Espanol online at www.fse.yahoo.com.
–30–CB/la*
CONTACT:
H&M Communications
Etienne Hernandez-Medina, 310-849-3663
or
Fox Sports en Espanol
Jennifer Serna, 310-444-8736
