Hispanics Changing the Landscape of News

Hispanics changing the landscape of news: Univision's local newscasts in LA and NY are #1 and #2 in the entire nation among all adults 18-49 regardless of language. Hispanic Influence Driven by Population Growth, Increased Economic Impact and Unprecedented Civic Engagement.

New York, NY (PRWEB) July 3, 2008 -- The Univision Television Group announced today that two of its stations' newscasts have taken the top two spots across all people meter markets in the entire country, regardless of language, demonstrating increasing influence and civic engagement of Hispanics. According to the latest June sweep measuring all people meter markets, KMEX, Univision 34 in LA and WXTV, Univision 41 in NY have the #1 and #2 highest-rated early evening newscasts among total Adults 18-49, marking a pivotal moment in the world of broadcast news viewership.

Recent reports highlight the impact Hispanics are having across the U.S., from population growth, political engagement and economic power. In May 2008 the U.S. Census released new data that shows the nation's Hispanic population increased by 1.4 million to reach 45.5 million. In addition, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, 63 percent of Hispanic eligible voters are between 18-44 years of age, compared to 45 percent of non-Hispanic whites. During the Democratic Primary process, according to a report by Pew Hispanic Center, Hispanics turned out in record numbers, accounting for more than 30 percent of the vote in California, New Mexico and Texas.

The success of our stations marks the beginning of a growing phenomenon in the world of news and speaks to the tipping point of civic engagement and influence of Hispanics in this country

A new government report also shows an 18 percent surge in Hispanic voters during the last Congressional elections compared to 2002, the previous year for a federal election without a presidential race. In comparison, there was a 7 percent increase among non-Hispanic white voters and a 5 percent increase in black voters. These factors, combined with the increase in Hispanic purchasing power - which is currently at $964 billion and is growing at a rate 50 percent faster than non-Hispanic - speak to this growing influence and impact.

"The success of our stations marks the beginning of a growing phenomenon in the world of news and speaks to the tipping point of civic engagement and influence of Hispanics in this country," said Terry Mackin, president of the Univision Television Group.

Contrary to the declining audience levels experienced lately by the English-language local newscasts, Univision's award-winning local news continues to draw Hispanic viewers who, regardless of their proficiency in English, still prefer to get their news en español. In fact, approximately 77 percent of KMEX and WXTV local news viewers are bilingual.

Mackin added, "Hispanics turn to Univision because we provide the information and resources, whether on TV or online, that have a direct impact on their lives. From voter registration tools with our 'Ya Es Hora' public service campaign to the latest political analysis at the local level and national level with 'Al Punto' and the presidential debates, Univision empowers Hispanics."

With in-depth analysis of how national issues impact Hispanics living in the United States, information on vital community resources, public service efforts, the latest on immigration reform and the most complete news from Latin America, Univision's local news has become the most trusted source for this thriving community across the nation.

For the past three months (April, May, and June 2008), KMEX, Univision 34 in Los Angeles has ranked as the #1 station across the nation among all Adults 18-49, regardless of language. During the month of June alone, KMEX's Noticias Univision (M-F, 6:00 p.m. PT) delivered 140,000 Adult 18-49 viewers; approximately 73% more than its closest competitor KABC-TV's early local newscast. In New York, WXTV, Univision 41's 6:00 p.m. newscast attracted an average of 116,000 Adult 18-49 viewers, pacing 9% higher than the market's #2 newscast on WABC-TV.

Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 97% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 85% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavisión, the country's leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 63 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 70 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 5 stations in Puerto Rico; and Univision Online, the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S. located at http://www.univision.com Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa's pay television channels in the U.S. Univision Communications has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.

For more information, please visit http://www.univision.net

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