HispanicBusiness

Another year in basketball, another NBA title for Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Hispanic viewers couldn't get enough of the sports drama during the week of June 8 through the 14, watching so much NBA that the Lakers-Magic show down took six of the top 10 spots on the most-watched English-language TV programs list. The only other show that managed a more than one spot grab was the FOX reality show So You Think You Can Dance, which landed in the sixth and eighth positions. And even though it is summer and new programs are popping up everywhere, Hispanic viewers have so far stayed true their favorites as Manana para Siempre and Cuidado con el Angel still grabbed the top one and two spots, respectively, among the Spanish-language programs.

Not surprising the popularity among Hispanics of the hilarious yet sometimes hard to watch Wipeout, a show that pits 24 contestants against incredibly difficult obstacle courses. Most of the time they wipe out (naturally) at least half way through. And other than sports, sports, more sports, and some dramatic dancers, Hispanics took a break from athletic entertainment and tuned into 48 Hour Mystery. This week, the team of reporters investigated the mysterious death of a preacher's wife, conducting interviews and performing detective work to find out if she really committed suicide as the reverend claimed, or if it was something more. The show even suggested that the preacher himself might have been "playing God," and took the life of his own wife.

But it was an all-sports week for Hispanic viewers, even beyond the NBA. Besides the drama provided by the top two daily soap operas and the always daring adventures on Mujeres Asesinas, Hispanics watched the futbol match Rumbo al Mundial of Mexico versus Trinidad and Tobago in the World Cup Qualifying soccer match. According to NBC, nearly 3.4 million U.S. viewers tuned in to watch the first of a three-game series. The next two qualifying matches of Rumbo al Mundial will air on June 24 and 28. Mexico went on to beat Trinidad and Tobago in a 2-1 victory. Mexico is set to play its most anticipated match against the USA on August 12.

The following TV ratings are based on Hispanic viewership. Nielsen's ratings include viewers who watched the program while it aired and those who viewed the shows via digital video recorder within 24 hours of their airing. Nielsen says that the Hispanic TV audience represents more than 11.63 million television households in the United States. The rating is the percentage of households watching a TV program out of the potential audience of 11.63 million households.

Spanish-Language Shows
1. Manana para Siempre (UNI, M-F Var.) 21.8
2. Cuidado con el Angel (UNI, M-F Var.) 17.8
3. Cristina (UNI, Mon. 10p.m.) 15.6
4. Mujeres Asesinas (UNI, Thurs. 10 p.m.) 15.2
5. Aqui y Ahora (UNI, Tues. 10p.m.) 15.1
6. Don Francisco Presenta (UNI, Wed. 10p.m.) 14.6
7. Rosa de Guadalupe (UNI, Thurs.-Fri. 10p.m.) 14.3
8. Tontas no Van Cielo (UNI, M-F 7p.m.) 14.2
9. Rumbo al Mundial (TEL, Wed. 9:30p.m.) 13.8
10. Sabado Gigante (UNI, Sat. 8p.m.) 9.5

English-Language Shows
1. NBA Finals Game 4 (ABC, Thurs. 9p.m.) 10.1
2. NBA Finals Game 3 (ABC, Tues. 9p.m.) 9.4
3. NBA Trophy Presentations (ABC, Sat. 10:45p.m.) 9.0
4. NBA Finals Game 5 (ABC, Sat. 8p.m.) 8.2
5. Wipeout (ABC, Wed. 8p.m.) 3.4
6. So You Think You Can Dance: Results (FOX, Thurs. 9p.m.) 3.1
7. GMC NBA Countown to Game 4 (ABC, Thurs. 8:30p.m.) 2.9
8. So You Think You Can Dance (FOX, Wed. 8p.m.) 2.8
9. GMC NBA Countdown to Game 3 (FOX, Tues. 8:30p.m.) 2.7
10. 48 Hour Mystery (CBS, Tues. 10p.m.) 2.6