World Cup viewing sets two impressive records in the U.S.
You say Americans don't have soccer fever?
You're wrong!
Saturday's nerve-racking match between the U.S. and Ghana was the most-watched soccer game in U.S. history, according to Nielsen Media. The game, viewed by 19.4 million viewers on ABC and Univision, topped the Italy vs. Brazil World Cup final in 1994, watched by 18.1 million people on those two networks.
Of the 19.4 million who tuned in to ultimately see the U.S.'s soccer dreams slip away this weekend, 4.5 million watched on Univision -- which is on fire during this tournament.
Sunday's Argentina-Mexico match attracted 9.4 million viewers to Univision, making it the most-watched program in Spanish-language television in U.S. history, according to Univision. That's right -- el mas grande!
If you've been watching it on ABC, here's a little taste of what you've been missing on Univision -- a few things we heard from the commentators during the Argentina-Mexico matchup:
"Silence, frogs, the toad is getting ready to speak." (This was about the ref!)
"The ball is very high, very long, ugly and very fuchi." (About a missed goal by Mexico. Fuchi is slang for "stinky").
"He kicked it with soul, life, heart, rancor, potency, energy, hope, faith and, in addition, his right leg!" (About Argentina scoring).
You don't hear anything like that during NFL broadcasts!
-- Maria Elena Fernandez
twitter.com/writerchica
You're wrong!
Saturday's nerve-racking match between the U.S. and Ghana was the most-watched soccer game in U.S. history, according to Nielsen Media. The game, viewed by 19.4 million viewers on ABC and Univision, topped the Italy vs. Brazil World Cup final in 1994, watched by 18.1 million people on those two networks.
Of the 19.4 million who tuned in to ultimately see the U.S.'s soccer dreams slip away this weekend, 4.5 million watched on Univision -- which is on fire during this tournament.
Sunday's Argentina-Mexico match attracted 9.4 million viewers to Univision, making it the most-watched program in Spanish-language television in U.S. history, according to Univision. That's right -- el mas grande!
If you've been watching it on ABC, here's a little taste of what you've been missing on Univision -- a few things we heard from the commentators during the Argentina-Mexico matchup:
"Silence, frogs, the toad is getting ready to speak." (This was about the ref!)
"The ball is very high, very long, ugly and very fuchi." (About a missed goal by Mexico. Fuchi is slang for "stinky").
"He kicked it with soul, life, heart, rancor, potency, energy, hope, faith and, in addition, his right leg!" (About Argentina scoring).
You don't hear anything like that during NFL broadcasts!
-- Maria Elena Fernandez
twitter.com/writerchica
Spanish announcers are the best. Even better when you understand them.
I have plenty of friends that prefer to watch it there even if they don't speak Spanish, simply because it sounds more exciting.
The dude on Univision though is a bit over the top.
When I watch with my father he demands I route the audio from the commentary given by the Sky Sports guys - Latin American digital satellite service.
They're still good and great play by play narrators, without the drama.
I love both though.
ESPN soccer play be play, on the other hand, is a few notches down on the excitement level when compared to the US Open. Atrocious.
Posted by: pacogarnav | June 28, 2010 at 03:52 PM
ALexi Lalas is the worst thing about the World Cup. Someone needs to muzzle that guy. He's killing the coverage. Great article on Sotospeaks.com You guys should check it out. http://sotospeaks.com/2010/06/28/alexi-lalas-scum-across-the-pond/
Posted by: carl | June 28, 2010 at 06:14 PM
this is only because people were going for the USA. now that the USA has lost and is eliminated most of those watchers have now forgotten about the World Cup.....
fake fans!!
Posted by: Gill Grylls | June 28, 2010 at 08:41 PM