Tanzina Vega of The New York Times reported Spanish-language broadcaster Univision took the opportunity during its upfront presentation Tuesday to do some gloating about its ratings gains against struggling NBC. (NBC has owned the other major Latino network, Telemundo, for the last ten years.)
During the presentation – which included a dance number – the network’s top ad salesman David Lawenda took a few shots at NBC by pointing to how Univision had beaten NBC on 195 nights in prime time last year, including a slide that showed the network’s peacock symbol keeling over.
This is a sign of how the English-language networks can at times lose in the ratings to a popular Spanish-language show in America. To further drive home the point, Mr. Lawenda used a larger-than-life scale to urge advertisers to “balance your plan.”
On the side of the scale touching the ground were the major English-language networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) and on the other side was Univision. “Latinos don’t just consume Univision content,” Mr. Lawenda said. “We’re part of their lives.”
He also brought on ABC "Modern Family" star Sofia Vergara to vouch for how she watches.
“I might work somewhere else but this is where I live,” Ms. Vergara said, echoing the network’s theme of the day, “Latinos Live Here.”
Ms. Vergara poked fun at Mr. Lawenda for not being Latino, to which he responded, “Me siento Latino en el corazón y en las caderas.” (“I feel Latino in my heart and in my hips.”)
NBC may have already counter-mocked Univision with its Manuel Ortiz Show skit (which has also featured Vergara).
