NBC Universo enjoyed a good coming out party on Sunday.
Fueled by its coverage of Super Bowl XLIX, the Spanish-language network, which was converted from mun2 at 1 a.m. (ET) on Feb. 1, was the most-watched Hispanic cable channel in total day and primetime.
The network's presentation of the New England Patriots and their last-second stand that secured a 28-24 win that dethroned the Seattle Seahawks, averaged 368,000 watchers, according to Nielsen data, 259,000 of whom were adults 18 to 49. The telecast peaked with 457,000 during the final minutes, and cumed 1.14 million watchers. Fox Deportes' coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII, the first cablecast of the Super Bowl to air in Spanish in U.S., history, averaged 561,000 watchers.
NBC Universo officials said the network outdelivered Hispanic cable competitors by at least 2:1 margin during primetime, and Super Bowl XLIX was also the most-viewed program outside of top soccer matches in its predecessor's history.
Among Hispanic adults 18 to 49, the modern, general-entertainment channel was the most-watched cable network -- regardless of language -- during total day and primetime. Gauged on a total-day basis, NBC Universo averaged 121,000 total viewers, 81,000 ages 18 to 49. the network's best-ever performance with the demo.
In primetime, NBC Universo averaged 267,000 total viewers, including 186,000 in the aforementioned segment, marking its highest Sunday ever in the daypart with that group.
“Sunday marked a historic day for our network. On the first day of our re-launch, NBC Universo succeeded in delivering high-quality sports and edgy entertainment series to Latino viewers across the U.S., and more than a million people joined us to watch Super Bowl XLIX in Spanish,” said network president Rubén Mendiola. “As we continue to establish our network and new brand, we’re off to a thrilling start. We could not be more pleased with our viewers’ positive response to our new, vibrant look and feel. With FIFA World Cup, the NASCAR Mexico Series, more Premier League matches, WWE RAW and Smackdown en Español, and The 2016 Rio Olympics all on deck, Super Bowl XLIX was the first of many brilliant sports moments Latinos can expect from NBC Universo in the months ahead.”
