MediaCo's EstrellaTV Rewrites History with Record-Breaking Prime Time Growth, Leading All Broadcast Networks in 2025

MediaCo Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: MDIA) has made headlines with its flagship network EstrellaTV, achieving a remarkable +14% Year-over-Year (YoY) growth in prime time viewership among the P18-49 demographic for 2025. This marks the largest annual growth in the network's history and is a significant milestone as it's the first annual uptick seen in any Spanish-language broadcast network in the past four years. While competitors like Telemundo, Univision, and UniMás experienced declines of -7%, -8%, and -17% respectively, EstrellaTV’s impressive growth underscores its successful strategy focused on high-quality and culturally relevant programming.

Soo Kim, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Standard General, emphasized that these historic gains reflect MediaCo's vision to take a leading role in multicultural media, showcasing the importance of engaging content in driving growth within the Hispanic audience segment. EstrellaTV is continuing its momentum into 2026, aiming for four consecutive quarters of growth. The network's positive trajectory has been propelled by the adoption of Nielsen’s Updated Big Data Plus Panel, reporting a staggering +57% increase in Q4 2025 and a solid +54% growth in Q1 2026 to date.

Albert Rodriguez, MediaCo’s CEO, praised the bond EstrellaTV has forged with its audience, noting that the network's performance over the last 14 months amid widespread declines in the industry is a testament to its compelling content. As of the 2025/26 broadcast season, EstrellaTV stands out as a leading force, achieving a remarkable +55% increase out of 146 viewing sources, solidifying its position as a go-to choice for both viewers and advertisers in the increasingly competitive media landscape.

MediaCo Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: MDIA) has made headlines with EstrellaTV's remarkable achievement of a 14% Year-over-Year (YoY) growth in prime-time viewership among the P18-49 demographic for 2025, leading all broadcast networks. This growth is particularly significant in a challenging media landscape, where other Spanish-language networks, including Telemundo and Univision, have recorded declines of 7% to 17%. MediaCo's successful strategy focuses on culturally relevant programming that deeply resonates with viewers, positioning EstrellaTV as a frontrunner in the Spanish-language media space.

As EstrellaTV prepares for a strong 2026, the network's impressive performance, including a record-breaking 57% surge in the fourth quarter of 2025 and a 54% increase into the first quarter of 2026, suggests it is not just a momentary trend. The underlying data demonstrates a solid and growing connection with audiences. The strategic focus on quality content and the successful adoption of Nielsen’s Updated Big Data Plus Panel indicate that EstrellaTV is effectively meeting the preferences of its target demographic.

For investors, this presents an attractive opportunity. MediaCo's ability to outperform competitors amidst industry setbacks suggests a robust growth potential and resilience. Investors should consider increasing their stakes in MediaCo, particularly as EstrellaTV solidifies its position in the broader broadcasting market. Furthermore, as multicultural audiences continue to grow in the U.S., MediaCo's diverse portfolio—including radio and digital platforms—offers added stability and avenues for monetization.

In summary, MediaCo Holding Inc. stands out in an increasingly competitive media environment. Betting on MediaCo, especially with EstrellaTV at the helm, could yield promising returns as the company establishes itself as a leader in multicultural media.