Argentina vs. Spain World Cup Final Could Be the Greatest Ever, Telemundo Exec Predicts
Miguel Lorenzo, Senior Vice President of Sports Content for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, is confident that the upcoming World Cup final between Argentina and Spain could be the greatest in the tournament’s history. With two massive followings and a rich history between the teams, Lorenzo believes that the matchup has all the ingredients to propel ratings to a new record.
One of the key factors that sets this final apart is the presence of Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, who will be playing in the match for Argentina. At 39 years old, Messi remains an awe-inspiring force on the pitch, and his involvement will undoubtedly attract a huge following. On the Spanish side, the young and talented Lamine Yamal is seen as the next Messi, adding an extra layer of excitement to the matchup.
The World Cup final will be a historic occasion, marking the first time that the defending champion and the reigning European League champion have faced each other in the tournament’s final match. Both teams were strong favorites to win the tournament when it began in June, and their meeting promises to be an epic clash.
Telemundo is expecting a massive audience for the World Cup final, with correspondents delivering reports and setting the scene from Spain and Argentina. The network will also provide in-depth analysis and coverage from the East Rutherford, NJ, stadium outside New York City. The game will be complemented by a star-studded halftime show featuring artists like Justin Bieber and Shakira, as well as a performance by Tom Cruise during the closing ceremony.
Telemundo’s strategy of leaning into the individual fan bases of specific countries within the Hispanic diaspora is also expected to pay off, with plans for a live watch party during the game with social media influencers partial to Spain and Argentina. Despite some rivalries and differing opinions among Hispanic viewers, Lorenzo remains confident that the World Cup final will be a huge success.
The semi-finals, which saw Spain and France face off against Argentina and England, drew record-breaking audiences of 9.8 million and 11.4 million across linear and Peacock, respectively. The semi-finals were held at 3 p.m. ET / noon PT, which drew some criticism on social media, but Lorenzo remains optimistic about the timeslot, citing the ability of viewers to watch the game from anywhere at any time.
The World Cup has been a spectacular boost for both NBCU Telemundo and English rights holder Fox, with the event generating a string of new highs for the sport of soccer. The tournament’s expanded field and location of games in 16 North American cities in U.S. viewer-friendly time zones have contributed to its success.
In terms of production, Telemundo is planning its biggest canvas yet, with correspondents delivering reports and setting the scene from Spain and Argentina. The network will also provide in-depth analysis and coverage from the East Rutherford, NJ, stadium outside New York City. The game will be complemented by a star-studded halftime show featuring artists like Justin Bieber and Shakira, as well as a performance by Tom Cruise during the closing ceremony.
Telemundo’s strategy of leaning into the individual fan bases of specific countries within the Hispanic diaspora is also expected to pay off, with plans for a live watch party during the game with social media influencers partial to Spain and Argentina. Despite some rivalries and differing opinions among Hispanic viewers, Lorenzo remains confident that the World Cup final will be a huge success.
The World Cup has been a spectacular boost for both NBCU Telemundo and English rights holder Fox, with the event generating a string of new highs for the sport of soccer. The tournament’s expanded field and location of games in 16 North American cities in U.S. viewer-friendly time zones have contributed to its success.
