Big news for EPL (soccer) broadcast in USA next 3 seasons

[bigdelta 46]

NBC networks to televise EPL next season

 

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/16/3347310/nbc-networks-to-televise-epl-next.html#emlnl=Today_in_Sports_Newsletter#storylink=cpy

 

NEW YORK -- NBC is all in with the English Premier League.

 

The EPL feels the same way about the U.S. broadcaster.

 

All 380 English Premier League games will be televised live by NBC and its networks next season as part of a three-year, $250 million contract.

 

The deal comes at a time when Fox and ESPN also have heavy involvement in soccer. But the world's most popular league in the world's most popular sport will belong solely to NBC for the next three years.

 

"Nowhere do they consume sports like they do here," Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore said Tuesday. "We are not unhappy with our current broadcast partners (in the United States), but I can see we are on the threshold of taking it to a new level."

 

The telecasts begin Aug. 17 and will be carried on NBC, NBC Sports Network, Telemundo, Mun2, other NBC television properties, and various digital outlets.

 

NBC is scheduled to air 20 games, with 154 on NBC Sports Network; 76 of the telecasts will be in Spanish on Telemundo or Mun2; and 22 will be shown on other NBC Sports Group channels.

 

Windows for the national telecasts are 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET Saturdays on NBCSN, and 12:30 p.m. on NBC; 8 a.m. Sundays on NBCSN and 11 a.m. on that channel and Telemundo; and 2:30 p.m. ET Mondays on NBCSN.

 

In addition, NBC is making available free to all carriers of NBC Sports Network a package of every EPL game played at 10 a.m. ET on Saturdays - the primary starting time in the Premier League. Called Premier League Extra Time, it is similar to DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket.

 

"I can't wait for Aug. 17 to come and we get started," NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus said. "It's about making this one of the key pillars of our landscape."

 

Arlo White, who currently calls MLS games on NBCSN, will handle play by play from England. Former Premier League players Lee Dixon and Graeme Le Saux will handle analysis. Former England national team star Gary Lineker will be a special contributor.

 

NBCSN plans 600 hours of original and weekly studio programming. Rebecca Lowe, a fixture on European soccer coverage in Europe, will host a studio show from NBC's international broadcast center in Stamford, Conn. But all game production will be done on-site in England, with NBC using England-based announcers on games White doesn't work.

 

Lowe recognizes the challenge of appealing to not only the avid soccer and EPL fans, but to the casual viewers - and even to newcomers.

 

"It's a difficult balance," she said. "We have been aware of that from Day 1. I've never really had to do that.

 

"But I think Premier League fans in America are the most sophisticated of football fans. Unlike back home, you have to seek out the games here - or you did until now. So we respect that and how much fans have put into following the Premier League.

 

"I guess we would err on the side of the sophisticated fans while still educating the more casual fans. It can be done both ways."

 

Lowe pointed out that something as simple as league standings - she called it "the table," as all Brits do - are compiled differently on each side of the Atlantic. In the U.S., the standings show wins, then losses, then draws (never ties, which are an entirely different matter outside the States). In England and elsewhere, its wins, draws, losses.

 

Lowe added there won't be any extra attention paid to Americans playing in the EPL "unless they are part of the story."

 

"There won't be any Clint Dempsey Watch," she said.

[jacko 8,778]

Initial thoughts, unhappy.

I don't like the concept of sports being scheduled to suit the TV audiences (or the advertising) at the expense of the 'home' support, and one place where I feel that is 'excessive' is the USA.

Most USA guys I recall had nothing but disdain for 'soccer'.

[bigdelta 46]

Wrong on both counts IMO.

I've only been watching PL matches for 20 years in USA and I am not aware the matches were scheduled to appease TV audience.Surely not for US viewers.I can't think of a single sport outside of midweek college football games that may possibly fall into that category.And those games are televised in addition to the multitude of Saturday games.No other sport to my knowledge does whatsoever in my country.

Soccer isn't widely viewed here but the fans we have a fanatical.The number of fans that travel to WCQ matches and the WC Finals is astounding,considering the product on the field has dropped precipitously recently.The 4 WCs I have been to show an great amount of US fans.

Initial thoughts, unhappy.

I don't like the concept of sports being scheduled to suit the TV audiences (or the advertising) at the expense of the 'home' support, and one place where I feel that is 'excessive' is the USA.

Most USA guys I recall had nothing but disdain for 'soccer'.

Edited April 17, 2013 by bigdelta

[bigmick 840]

I think it goes to prove just how popular "Football" is becoming in the USA and how much our colonial brothers are getting to grips with the "real game" not just some run for 10 yards and drop the ball at the end of the field.

[bigdelta 46]

Of course,not to be confused with rugby.

I think it goes to prove just how popular "Football" is becoming in the USA and how much our colonial brothers are getting to grips with the "real game" not just some run for 10 yards and drop the ball at the end of the field.

[bigmick 840]

Of course,not to be confused with rugby.

 

 

Quite right, Rugby is a mans game, they dont need to wear any kind of nappies or pads. When they get hit - or hit, they mean it. Rugby gotta be the toughest/greatest sport in the world

[bigdelta 46]

All along,I thought it was that silly day-long game named after a bug,played with a flat bat,that was a mans game.Try playing with a round bat and w/o "any kind of nappies or pads"-that's a challenge.

Quite right, Rugby is a mans game, they dont need to wear any kind of nappies or pads. When they get hit - or hit, they mean it. Rugby gotta be the toughest/greatest sport in the world

[bigdelta 46]

By "world",you mean a country with just 2 or 3 professional sports?I wasn't including the dart league though.

Quite right, Rugby is a mans game, they dont need to wear any kind of nappies or pads. When they get hit - or hit, they mean it. Rugby gotta be the toughest/greatest sport in the world

[jacko 8,778]

Wrong on both counts IMO.

I've only been watching PL matches for 20 years in USA and I am not aware the matches were scheduled to appease TV audience.Surely not for US viewers.I can't think of a single sport outside of midweek college football games that may possibly fall into that category.And those games are televised in addition to the multitude of Saturday games.No other sport to my knowledge does whatsoever in my country.

Soccer isn't widely viewed here but the fans we have a fanatical.The number of fans that travel to WCQ matches and the WC Finals is astounding,considering the product on the field has dropped precipitously recently.The 4 WCs I have been to show an great amount of US fans.

You never watched the super bowl then.

[nkped 1,208]

Quite right, Rugby is a mans game, they dont need to wear any kind of nappies or pads. When they get hit - or hit, they mean it. Rugby gotta be the toughest/greatest sport in the world

Rugby is a very interesting and respectable game. But let's be real, there are a lot of legal tackles (although not as many as there used to be) in North American football that would automatically lead to red cards in rugby. Also, North American football can be a more wide open game, the Canadian version more so than the US variant, with ball carrier and tackler often at full speed. There are quite a few football players who you could see being successful in rugby and vice versa. I used to say that probably did not include interior lineman until I heard a front liner in a rugby club game I was watching mentioned as being 22 stone (298 lbs)!

[bigdelta 46]

Correct,I'm the only American who has never seen it.But I just watched "The King's Speech" for the 1st time.Interesting insight to a sliver of your history.

You never watched the super bowl then.

Edited April 17, 2013 by bigdelta

[bigmick 840]

By "world",you mean a country with just 2 or 3 professional sports?I wasn't including the dart league though.

 

 

Can you name these 2 or 3 sports?

[bigdelta 46]

Sure I can.

Can you name these 2 or 3 sports?

[jimmac 66]

Does any BM know what's happening with EPL in Canada next season? Many of our games this season came through Fox or ESPN though they may be separate rights. I don't think I have any of those NBC Channels, except the main network, on my satellite service.

 

I really like getting up around 7 on Saturdays and Sundays and seeing 5 live games over the 2 days. The 5 hour time difference with the UK means there's lots of day left when the football finishes.

[bigdelta 46]

I wish you luck.Like you,this season has been on Fox Soccer & Fox Soccer Plus.And of course ESPN2.Do you get Telemundo?If so,and its a SAP broadcast,you will get English commentary if you choose.Soccer in HD is amazing.How about firing off a few-mails to Fox,ESPN and NBC.

Edited April 18, 2013 by bigdelta

[bigmick 840]

Sure I can.

 

 

Go on then, the suspense is killing me

[nus01 305]

Quite right, Rugby is a mans game, they dont need to wear any kind of nappies or pads. When they get hit - or hit, they mean it. Rugby gotta be the toughest/greatest sport in the world

don't know about greatest, but its certainly one of the last remaining games played by men.

[MM 6,562]

Why does every topic about sports have to turn into a fucking pissing match between the Brits and the Americans?

 

Try to stay on topic, this shit gets really boring.

[jimmac 66]

This thread is somewhat mis-named. EPL on NBC may be big but it's not news even if the Miami Herald thinks it is. This deal was made in 2012, over 6 months ago.

 

And the answer to my own earlier question, for any Canadians interested, is that TSN has the rights for most EPL games for 3 years beginning with the 2013-14 season.

 

The benefit of Google.

[bigdelta 46]

Agreed MM,but its the nature of the "sport".I simply posted info I thought relevant to us (US) soccer fans here.

Why does every topic about sports have to turn into a fucking pissing match between the Brits and the Americans?

 

Try to stay on topic, this shit gets really boring.

[bigdelta 46]

I should have said "next season" when I referenced Telemundo,so that may offer a few more matches,in addition to TSN for you.

This thread is somewhat mis-named. EPL on NBC may be big but it's not news even if the Miami Herald thinks it is. This deal was made in 2012, over 6 months ago.

 

And the answer to my own earlier question, for any Canadians interested, is that TSN has the rights for most EPL games for 3 years beginning with the 2013-14 season.

 

The benefit of Google.