US English speakers flock to Spanish World Cup broadcasts on Telemundo

A growing number of English-speaking Americans are watching World Cup matches in Spanish on Telemundo, despite limited Spanish comprehension. Reasons include the iconic "¡goooooool!" call by Andrés Cantor, the absence of commercial breaks during hydration breaks (unlike Fox), and a perception that Spanish broadcasts are more entertaining. Telemundo's Nielsen ratings show roughly half of US World Cup viewers have watched at least some portion in Spanish, while only about 20% of the US population is Hispanic. Fans like Ashleigh Hallam, an Indiana ESL teacher, and Jackson Braunius, a Michigan native, cite the excitement and emotional cues of Spanish commentary. Comedian Trevor Noah also switched to Telemundo for its uninterrupted coverage. Fox Sports reported that the Belgium-US match peaked at 41 million viewers, making it the most-watched soccer telecast in US history, with an average of 45 million across Fox (33 million) and Telemundo (12 million). The success may lead to combined English and Spanish rights for the 2030 World Cup.