New York, June 29, 2005 – Azteca America, one of the fastest-growing U.S. Hispanic television networks, announced that its hit musical reality show La Academia attracted 1.06 million viewers 2+ for its June 27 live concert, where it determined the six finalists who will compete on July 3 for over $400,000 in prize money.

“We’re on the brink of another ratings milestone for our young network as we anticipate well over 1 million viewers for our final concert,” said Azteca America COO Jorge Jaidar. 

La Academia has consistently attracted over 600,000 2+ viewers for the past five weeks, earning a spot on Nielsen’s Top 25 weekly list of most-watched Hispanic programs. The show traditionally posts strong viewership increases for its final concert.

The six finalists are: Edgar Guerrero, from Boise Idaho; Yuridia Flores, from Mesa, Arizona; Erasmo González, from Xalpatlahuac, Guerrero; Adrián Varela, from Culiacan, Sinaloa; Cynthia Rodriguez, from Monclova, Coahuila; and Silvia Mendivil, from Los Mochis, Sinaloa. They will be competing during the grande finale broadcast live from the Arena Monterrey in Mexico. Following the July 3 concert, the La Academia graduates will immediately begin an international tour starting in Mexico, with the first US concert in California during the month of August.