Telemundo Scores Rights Extension With Mexican First Division Soccer Clubs

Contract Calls For Up To 100 Matches From Futbol Liga Mexicana

By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 1/15/2009 12:25:00 PM

Telemundo has netted a deal for more than 100 matches showcasing top clubs from Mexico.

Building on a deal for matches that aired last fall, the Spanish-language broadcaster has secured the U.S. rights to all of the matches played at the home stadium of six premiere teams in Futbol Liga Mexicana (Mexico’s first division soccer league). These rights also include all the playoff, semifinal and final matches of the Mexican national championship played by these teams.

The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, includes the rights to over 100 matches from the Torneo de Clausura and Torneo de Apertura of the following FLM teams: Los Diablos Rojos del Toluca, Los Pumas de UNAM, Los Rayados de Monterrey, Los Tigres de UANL, Los Rojinegros del Atlas and Los Potros de Hierro del Atlante. 

Telemundo also will feature all home games of the defending champions, Los Diablos Rojos del Toluca, and the rematch from the last final on March 22, when Cruz Azul visits Toluca. In addition, Telemundo, already the home of this season's SuperClásico and the Clásico Tapatio through its relationship with Chivas, will broadcast the Clásico Regiomontano, when Tigres faces Monterrey on April 11

“Building on the great success of the Mexican Soccer League games we brought to our viewers last year, we are thrilled to have closed this significant deal to continue offering premiere Mexican soccer to our viewers,” said Telemundo president Don Browne in a statement. “This deal, in combination with the best sports team in the industry and a great soccer slate, positions Telemundo as the premiere destination for soccer in the U.S.”

Last year, FLM concluded on a high note for Telemundo with the circuit's Dec. 14 final between Toluca and Cruz Azul attracting a season-best 1.2 million adults 18 to 49 among 1.8 million watchers overall.

Telemundo, the exclusive broadcaster of the Mexican national team games, also enjoyed a strong 2008, with its Rumbo Al Mundial franchise, reaching some 15 million unduplicated total viewers over 14 matches, up from 13.9 million the previous year, according to Nielsen data. Included in that total were some 8.5 million adults 18 to 49, 4% more than the franchise delivered in 2007, according to Telemundo officials.

The Rumbo al Mundial match between Honduras and. Mexico on Nov. 19, 2008 ranks as the network's highest-rated program ever among adults 18 to 49 (2.1 million viewers) and total viewers (3.2 million), since the broadcaster entered the Nielsen Television Index measurement in February 2006. 

Telemundo holds the rights to the Mexican national side through World Cup qualifying, and officials said the network hopes to ink a renewal pact.