A surprising trend has developed over the course of this World Cup, with many fans making the peculiar decision to snub Fox’s English coverage of the tournament in favor of the more gripping Spanish-language commentary.
Telemundo’s coverage offers something a bit more exciting for fans, even those who don’t understand everything that’s being said.
The commentary offers a more emotional experience, the famous ‘gooooooool’, and the fact that many of the best teams of the past few weeks have come from Spanish-speaking countries.
In addition, there are no commercials on Telemundo during the controversial hydration breaks. All this has resulted in a staggering number of fans giving their broadcasts a try — many haven’t gone back on their decision.
Half of US World Cup fans watching in Spanish on Telemundo
According to The Associated Press, roughly half of all fans in the US have given the Spanish coverage a try. Those are the figures Nielsen have released in recent days.
About 20% of the population are Hispanic, but even those without a lick of Spanish are preferring them.
One fan, Jackson Braunius, has a pretty valid explanation. Despite not speaking Spanish, the commentary works a treat.
As he put it: “I figured out the science here. When they’re not talking too loud, nothing is happening. When they get loud, there’s a chance. When they get real loud, it’s probably going to be a goal.”
Miami native William Kennedy watches with his Colombian wife, and his reason is similar.
He told AP: ““When the American commentators are doing the game, I don’t know what game they’re watching. I just don’t.
“I’d rather get the excitement in Spanish because essentially what happens is they’re talking, and then they’re talking really, really fast, and then they’re getting loud and your brain is just like, ‘Oh, something’s happening — even if I don’t know what’s happening.’”
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There certainly is a passion to the Spanish World Cup coverage that you just don’t get on Fox. Maybe it’s because soccer is almost like religion in some of these Latin countries.
The decrease in commercials helps as well. As comedian Trevor Noah explained during a World Cup watch party: “We’re seeing the players on the pitch discussing what’s happening. You see which coach is more stressed. Some players are tapping each other on the back. This is part of the game.
“I feel like when you cut to ads, you lose this — you lose the stress, you lose the joy, the anticipation. So, shout out again, Telemundo: Really, really amazing coverage.”
The USMNT’s knockout tie against Belgium — which ended their tournament hopes — drew more viewers than any event since the Super Bowl. 33 million people tuned in on Fox, and another 12 million on Telemundo.
Soccer is taking over the US this summer, and it may well be that Spanish is the language that sticks when it comes to Americans watching the Beautiful Game.
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