The 2009 Billboard Latin Music Awards presented by State Farm, which aired live on the Telemundo network on April 23, reached 5.8 million unique viewers, 300,000 more than the year before, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
According to Nielsen Media Research data, the awards had their best delivery in history in key demos, including adults 18-49, Adults 18-34 and men and women 18-49. At any given time, an average of 1,340,000 viewers 18-49 watched the show, a 22% increase over last year.
In addition, the Billboard Awards’ pre-telecast, “La Alfombra Roja de los Premios Billboard,” averaged 810,000 Adults 18-49, an increase of 36% over last year.
Set in a multi-tiered set with overhead and side screens, the Billboard Awards featured performances by the top names in Latin music, including Mexican rockers Maná and Carlos Santana, who performed together after Maná gave Santana Billboard’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his artistic trajectory.
Also performing were Daddy Yankee (winner of the Spirit of Hope Award for altruistic endeavors), Akon, Wisin & Yandel, Ruben Blades, La Quinta Estación, Gloria Trevi, Banda El Recodo, Jenni Rivera, eight-time winner Flex and Reik. Paulina Rubio, Don Omar and Cristian Castro, who performed with Arthur Hanlon on piano, all debuted their new singles on television that evening.
