Comcast and Univision have put a deal in the back of the distribution net for the U.S. Spanish-language media leader’s cable sports network.

Beginning in October, Comcast will make Univision Deportes Network available to a wide swath of its customer base through carriage on its Digital Preferred package and Xfinity Latino levels of service.

With the long-term contract, financial terms of which were not disclosed, Univision Deportes Network will add upward of 12 million Xfinity customers and boost its subscriber base past the 52 million mark. When the futbol-centric UDN bows next month on Comcast systems, the service, which kicked off in 2012, will have positions with all 10 of the nation’s top distributors.

A spokesman for Comcast, whose NBCUniversal programming arm’s Telemundo and mun2 are competitors to Univision’s varied services, said negotiations have been taking place over the past year and the patties finally reached terms that makes sense for its subscribers.

Comcast’s Hispanic distribution platform delivers more than 60 Latino networks in both Spanish and English to Xfinity TV customers. UDN will be available in standard-definition and Comcast’s largest Hispanic markets, which include New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Fresno, Denver and El Paso, will begin receiving the channel in high-definition by year-end.

Although the launch comes after the 2014 World Cup – UDN became Univision’s de facto service for the FIFA competition during the months of June and July – the sports service still serves up an array of futbol fare, topped by action from Mexico’s top circuit, Liga MX.

Additionally, UDN, which ranks as the top Spanish-language cable sports network in primetime and total-day, presents Mexican national soccer team matches, as well as action from Major League Soccer, the Copa MX and CONCACAF Champions League circuits. It also covers Formula 1 racing and boxing, while keeping tabs on the NFL, NBA and MLB.

“Univision Deportes Network offers terrific programming and will be a great addition to our growing lineup of networks for Hispanic customers,” said Marcien Jenckes, executive vice president, consumer services at Comcast Cable.  “Comcast is already the nation’s largest provider of Latino packages and we’re excited to add UDN’s wide range of sports programming for our Xfinity TV customers."

“We are pleased to expand the reach of UDN and our popular sports content through this deal with Comcast,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, president of sports, Univision Communications. “This partnership speaks to the growing influence of Hispanics and underscores Univision’s position as the gateway to a growing and increasingly influential consumer base.”

While the record ratings performance involving the U.S. and Mexican national teams garnering many headlines during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Univision Deportes Network has been quietly putting record number of viewers on its Nielsen board.

Converting the 40-million subscriber cable service to a de facto World Cup channel throughout the tournament, U.S. Spanish-language media leader Univision Commuications has reaped delivery rewards, as the channel rang up its top Nielsen performance in viewers in total day and primetime.

Proffering World Cup match simulcasts with flagship Univision channel, match replays, highlights, commentary and analysis of all the action from Brazil, UDN averaged 175,000 viewers in total day and 161,000 in primetime from June 16 through June 22 to rank as its best week ever in those measures. UDN, which is carried by all of the nation’s top distributors, save for Comcast, also tallied strong deliveries among persons 18 to 49, notching 98,000 of those viewers in total day and 101,000 in primetime.

Univision Deportes Futbol Club, the network’s soccer news, analysis, and debate show, set new marks by averaged 158,000 viewers and 96,000 persons 18 to 49, deliveries that made it the most-viewed sports news program on Spanish-language cable last week.

“Soccer is a passion point for Hispanics and Univision Deportes continues to be the number one destination for soccer fans in the U.S.  The success we have seen on Univision Deportes Network throughout the 2014 World Cup is a testament to the popularity of live sports and soccer in particular as well as the power of our content,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, president of Univision Deportes.

With those deliveries, officials at the network said it outscored MLB Network, Fox Sports 1 and NBC Sports Network in those measures during primetime and in total day from June 16 through June 22. Network officials said UDN during total day topped MLBN by 80% in viewers and 197% among adults 18 to 49, respectively, last week, while outdrawing FS1 by 99% and 197%, and NBCSN by 154% and 263%.

As for primetime, UDN said it was ahead of FS1 by 10% in viewers and 63% in the demo, and outpaced NBCSN by 18% and 106%.  It also held a 74% edge over MLBN with the viewers Madison Avenue favors most.

The World Cup-fueled performance furthers UDN’s 2014 Nielsen moment. Year-to-date, the service, according to network officials, ranks as the fastest-growing channel in cable. Through June 22, UDN had registered a 109% jump to 113,000 viewers in primetime, including a 112% surge to 72,000 adults 18 to 49. In total, UDN was ahead 142% and 155% to 46,000 viewers and 28,000 demo watchers, respectively.

“The 2014 World Cup is delivering very well for Univision Deportes Network.  In fact, UDN beat NBC Sports Network, MLB Network and Fox Sports 1 last week and is currently the fastest-growing cable network this year regardless of language, English or Spanish," said Rodriguez. "Our viewers are tuning into UDN to experience our passionate and colorful coverage they can’t get anywhere else.”

With Mexico and U.S. concluding their group stage action and advancing to the round of 16 -- El Tri meets The Netherlands on June 29 -- UDN figures to ring up another strong ratings performace with the Nielsen week ending that night. 

With simulcasts of 56 matches and a host of shoulder fare, Univision Deportes Network will convert into a 24/7 World Cup service on June 9.

Univision Communications Inc.’s cable sports network will deliver more 2014 FIFA World Cup content than any other linear service in the U.S. through July 13, the day after the conclusion of the soccer tourney. The matches on flagship network Univision and UDN will feature the voices and insights of Enrique “El Perro”  Bermúdez, Félix “El Gato” Fernández, Jesús “El Profe”  Bracamontes, and Luis Omar Tapia, among others

In addition to live broadcasts of 56 matches, a schedule that includes the semifinals and the title game on July 12, the 40 million-subscriber UDN will deliver an array of World Cup specials, fresh morning and nighttime shows devoted entirely to the FIFA’s famed tourney and daily special editions of the network’s regular sports commentary programs, airing live from Rio de Janeiro. 

UDN will present original and/or live programming for 17 consecutive hours daily, from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. (ET) (before heading into a WC encore mode in the overnight hours), highlighted by extended live pre-game shows for each match, with Fútbol Club Desde Río serving as the first live show each night to recap the action from each day.  All live coverage will originate from UDN’s three set locations in Brazil.

As previously reported, broadcast network UniMás and Spanish-language cable network Galavisión will simulcast eight live games and special programming during the month-long tournament. The cable network will also broadcast the best match of the day in primetime in a 60 minute format.

Digitally, users will be able to tap Univision Deportes App and see live-streams of the matches on computers, smartphones and tablets. They will be able to rewind their favorite plays and receive personalized fan alerts, original and exclusive live content, the latest information on their favorite teams, match schedules, real-time highlights and results, and much more. The app will also connect users to each other via Twitter and Facebook. In addition, fans can access comprehensive, up-to-the-minute World Cup content on www.UnivisionDeportes.com from now until the end of the championship.

“We couldn’t be more excited about our World Cup coverage and the incredible access it will provide to millions of soccer fanatics in the U.S., allowing them to not only watch every game live on any platform they choose but also get a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look inside the lively atmosphere and excitement unfolding in one of the world’s most soccer-loving countries,” said Juan Carlos Rodríguez, president of Univision Deportes. “With three dedicated studios in Brazil, a Univision Deportes team of over 150 media professionals on the ground, including world-renowned soccer experts and some of Spanish-language TV’s most popular personalities, plus the use of today’s most sophisticated broadcasting technology such as Augmented Reality graphics, multi-touch screens and many other features, no one else will cover the World Cup like Univision Deportes—the undisputed home of World Cup action in America.”

Sports aside, Univision entertainment programming will also be in the game. Weekday morning show, Despierta América (Wake Up America), will showcase myriad segments from Rio, with co-host Alan Tacher, reporters Maity Interiano and Orlando Segura and social media correspondent William Valdés on the beat.

El Gordo y La Flaca (The Scoop and the Skinny) co-host Raúl de Molina and reporter Carlos Calderón will be stationed in Rio’s famous Copacabana area to bring viewers the latest entertainment gossip surrounding the world’s biggest sporting event. The show airs weekdays at 4 p.m. (ET/PT) and 3 p.m. (Central).

The following is Univision Communications’ non-match coverage plan as described by the networks.

UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK EXCLUSIVES – TO BE BROADCAST FROM RIO

“Súper Estadio Brasil” (Brazil Super Stadium)

Monday to Sunday at 8:00 a.m. ET/7:00 a.m. CT/5:00 a.m. PT

This unique morning show will report daily up-to-date news and information, live from Rio de Janeiro.

“Fútbol Club – Desde Río” (Fútbol Club – From Rio)

Monday to Sunday - For times, please check local TV listings or visit UnivisionDeportes.com

Using the latest technology, Edgar Martínez, Felix Fernández and Hristo Stoichkov will host special guests as they analyze, debate and discuss everything that’s happening in Brazil, on and off the field—twice a day.

“Fútbol Central – Edición Mundial” (Futbol Central – World Cup Edition)

Monday to Sunday - For times, please check local TV listings or visit UnivisionDeportes.com

A pre-game report detailing everything fans need to know before each live match.

“Copa Mundial en 30” (World Cup in 30 minutes)

Monday to Sunday - For times, please check local TV listings or visit UnivisionDeportes.com

Fans will be able to watch 30-minute versions of the two best matches of the day.

“Copa Mundial en 60” (World Cup in 60 minutes)

Monday to Sunday - For times, please check local TV listings or visit UnivisionDeportes.com

Fans will be able to watch 60-minute versions World Cup matches.

“Previo de la FIFA” (FIFA’s Preview Show)

Monday to Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. CT/4:30 a.m. PT

An exclusive FIFA show looking ahead to the day’s action.

AIRING ON UDN AND UNIVISION NETWORK:

“República Mundialista” (World Cup Republic)

Monday to Sunday at 12:00 a.m. ET/11:00 p.m. CT/9:00 p.m. PT

Special guests join Univision Deportes talent to bring fans the World Cup in a fun and entertaining way, live from Brazil.

“República Deportiva – Edición Mundial” (Sports Republic – World Cup Edition)

Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. CT/11:00 a.m. PT

Hosts: Fernando Fiore, Felix Fernández and Lindsay Casinelli

The ever popular sports show airs live from Rio de Janeiro during the World Cup.

AIRING ON UDN AND UNIMÁS

“Contacto Deportivo” (Sports Contact)

Monday to Sunday at 11:00 p.m. ET/10:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. PT

Hosts: Alejandro Berry and Jorge Calvo

The nightly sportscast will air live from Rio de Janeiro for the duration of the World Cup.

AIRING ON GALAVISIÓN

“Copa Mundial en 60” (World Cup in 60)

Match dates – 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (7:00 p.m. Central)

A re-broadcast of the day’s best match.