The United Soccer League (USL) has announced a new broadcasting deal that will see select games from the USL Championship broadcast in Spanish on TelevisaUnivision's networks. This move is set to significantly expand the reach of the league, catering to a diverse audience and growing soccer viewership.
Starting from June 15, 2024, up to 20 USL games will be aired on TelevisaUnivision’s channels. The first game to be broadcasted will be a doubleheader on TUDN.
TelevisaUnivision's coverage of the USL Championship includes teams that have found regular success such as Detroit City FC and Louisville City FC. For instance, Detroit City FC has established itself as one of the most popular clubs in the USL Championship with strong home support.
Court Jeske, USL Chief Commercial Officer, said:
“TelevisaUnivision has a direct line to passionate soccer fans in our country, the USL Championship is growing every year, and we are thrilled to partner with TelevisaUnivision to continue that growth by bringing the excitement of our top league to a whole new audience – one that loves the game and respects an authentic soccer experience.”
Top teams in action in remaining games
The confirmed games include two stops at Louisville City FC which leads the league in points after 13 games. Also featured is Charleston Battery, which ranks second behind LCFC and appears twice on TelevisaUnivision’s confirmed schedule.
Earlier this season, CBS aired Indy Eleven match against Louisville City attracting an audience of 362,000 - surpassing Major League Soccer's game of LAFC vs LA Galaxy aired by FOX on the same day.
This partnership with TelevisaUnivision marks another significant step for USL Championship towards expanding its viewer base. The United States is remarkably diverse with many Hispanic residents who are avid soccer fans but lacked consistent access to watch their favorite teams play.
Six teams from areas including El Paso, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Orange County and Phoenix - all having significant Hispanic populations - participate in the championship. With this new deal providing a Spanish-language home for these matches; it ensures that these fans can now follow their teams more closely.
TUDN's influence on football viewership
TUDN, a part of TelevisaUnivision, boasts the largest soccer following in the United States. According to USL, the league makes up 50% of all soccer viewership in the country. The new fixtures on TUDN or Univision will complement an existing broadcast schedule that includes ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, ESPN+, Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network and other channels.
TelevisaUnivision has announced 11 regular-season games that will be available on TUDN with up to 20 games expected to be aired across its channels. The schedule is subject to change but it's worth noting that the USL Championship Final will definitely be broadcasted on TelevisaUnivision’s channels.
This partnership between USL and TelevisaUnivision is set to significantly expand soccer viewership by catering to a diverse audience base. It marks another significant step towards making soccer more accessible and popular across different demographics in America.
