U.S. Spanish-Language World Cup Rights Awarded to Telemundo

NEW YORK: NBCUniversal’s Telemundo Media has scooped up the exclusive Spanish-language U.S. rights for FIFA World Cup soccer from 2015 through 2022, covering all platforms except radio.

The agreement includes the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Also covered are the FIFA Confederations Cup and all Under-20 and Under-17 FIFA World Cup matches in this time period. The pact also includes coverage and promotion of FIFA soccer events across multiple NBCUniversal properties.

“This landmark deal for Telemundo represents perhaps the greatest milestone in its history," said Lauren Zalaznick, the chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated Media. “The acquisition of the FIFA World Cup, one of the world’s great sporting events, speaks directly to the commitment NBCUniversal has made in the future of Telemundo and to our diverse U.S. Hispanic communities that we serve.”

“We are extremely honored to be the Spanish-language home of the FIFA World Cup Soccer from 2015-2022 and bring this powerful property to our viewers with the high-production value they have come to expect from Deportes Telemundo,” added Emilio Romano, the president of Telemundo. “Soccer is much more than a sport; it is a cultural phenomenon that inspires billions around the world and unites every community in a single language, the language of soccer. We are delighted to partner with FIFA to continue to grow the game of soccer in the United States.”