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Despite ‘American Idol,’ Univision’s ‘Ugly Betty’ Forges Ahead

Published on January 31, 2007 | Email this article

Univision‘s Mexican version of the telenovela upon which ABC’s Ugly Betty is based - La Fea Mas Bella - is rising in ratings in recent weeks, despite the fact that it airs against American Idol.

Though the telenovela appeals to the same audience as AI - adults 18-34 - the show has seen its two highest-rated episodes last week on nights when it aired opposite American Idol, writes Media Life. Bella averaged a 2.8 rating in adults 18-49 last Tuesday and Wednesday, and was the show’s second-most-watched week ever in that demo, averaging 3.5 million.

In adults 18-34, it ranked just behind Idol on both nights, a full 0.8 points ahead of anything else airing against the Fox behemoth on either night.

Reasons for the success include a rapidly developing romantic plotline and the fact that American Idol is not as popular in Hispanic households. The AI season premiere averaged a 16 household share among Hispanics, compared to the 30 share it averaged in English-speaking households, according to the article.

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