well, yeah, but in theory if I could, for example, get what I want with, say, Sling, Peacock, Disney+, and one or two others, that’s much cheaper than cable. I agree that even the smoothest smart TV/Apple TV etc setup is kludgy compote just flipping around cable.
Footy broadcasting - What do we have?
- Thread starter SocrManiac
- Start date
this is how I got into PL and footy. When Lil O was born, the deal was from 5 pm Friday to 6 am Monday I was the primary on baby duty. On Saturday Mrs O would sleep in. Since I mostly watch sports and will watch any random event on, I started watching the PL, which was on ESPN then. I had no idea who was who or what was going on. Now 10 years lateras I write this I’m flipping around random Bundesliga games to scope out transfer target rumors and figuring out whether I want Holding, Alyioski, or Lowton as my 4th FPL defender.
Which raises a great point- if stuff is all paywalled and you can’t flip to it serendipitously or check it out without making a commitment , these leagues are going to struggle to get new converts.
Yup the theory is what everyone wants, but the permutations unfortunately just don't work out. If you want NESN your only option right now is FuboTV, which doesn't carry TNT and TBS which means you're missing out on NBA and MLB playoffs. Then even with those even though I'd already subscribing to ESPN, I still have to pay extra for ESPN+ content and for Peacock in order to get all the EPL games and at this point non Peacock EPL coverage has been cut back so much that rather than getting the top 3 games of the week and a few additional games that are either derbys or featuring big 6 teams that you'll get 1 of the top 3 games and then a completely random game or two.
It's especially frustrating as a cable subscriber because I'm totally cool with spending the extra money for the convenience and simpler experience, but now with the networks needing to push for direct subscribers even that is gone.
My biggest gripe with Peacock is that the technology isn’t ready. I’ve lost the ability to control my content and watch at my leisure. I enjoyed that privilege with their previous pay service- why is it impossible to replicate?
The streams themselves are hit or miss. They have a low frame rate and the resolution is often pretty poor as well.
The app originally wasn’t available for FireTV Sticks (my primary consumption device), but weirdly was in the LG store. I have no idea if they’re resolved the problem with Amazon (I side loaded it), but that seems pretty unacceptable as well.
The streams themselves are hit or miss. They have a low frame rate and the resolution is often pretty poor as well.
The app originally wasn’t available for FireTV Sticks (my primary consumption device), but weirdly was in the LG store. I have no idea if they’re resolved the problem with Amazon (I side loaded it), but that seems pretty unacceptable as well.
It just dawned on me that the next step is for leagues to directly sell themselves. I mean, if NBC wants to sell the EPL through the internet, it can't be that difficult for the EPL to cut out the middleman and do it themselves. That's what the NBA is already doing. But then it goes back to the problem that you need a medium that gives wider exposure to casual viewers.
NBC isn’t a middle man. Media companies and corporate sponsors are paying a premium to these leagues. I don’t think removing NBC or SKY from the equation and selling direct to consumers is a win.
CBS All-Access (soon to be Paramount+) is ramping up their inventory. In addition to NWSL and the two big UEFA club competitions, they’ve added Brazil’s Serie A, Argentina’s Primera Division, Concacaf Nations League, hex matches outside the US and Mexico, and Concacaf women’s matches.
View: https://twitter.com/ourand_sbj/status/1364738219884097539
View: https://twitter.com/ourand_sbj/status/1364738219884097539
This is my main problem.. you’re paying more for a worse experience. Also NBC is replacing their EPL content that used to be the best games with absolute garbage programming. The fact that all the major games are basically moving to a worse service seems like a bait and switch.. they should be available on both.. or I should be getting money back from my cable provider since I’m no longer getting what I paid for. In my mind your best games should be available to your widest audience... especially since soccer is finally getting popular here because the content was finally available.
Has anyone else noticed that the closed captioning on ESPN+, at least for Bundesliga games, is unintelligible? I’m not hearing impaired, so it’s not the end of the world, but I usually leave it on so I don’t miss stuff on shows and movies I watch. If I were hearing impaired, I’d probably be losing my shit after reading stuff like this:
Attachments
Paramount+ wins Serie A rights through 2024
View: https://twitter.com/davidamoyal/status/1374424706057527310
View: https://twitter.com/davidamoyal/status/1374424706057527310
All four major American broadcast networks (NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox) will air a live soccer game this weekend for the first time ever.
Manchester City vs. Chelsea
12:30 Saturday, NBC
NWSL Challenge Cup Final
Saturday 1:00, CBS
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. LAFC
Saturday 8:00, Fox
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United
Timbers vs. Sounders
Sunday 1:00 and 3:13, ABC
https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/mls-schedule-premier-league-nbc-20210506.html
The City-Chelsea match has the potential be the dullest soccer game ever played. There are also two stellar La Liga matches between the four title contenders that are on BeIn.
Manchester City vs. Chelsea
12:30 Saturday, NBC
NWSL Challenge Cup Final
Saturday 1:00, CBS
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. LAFC
Saturday 8:00, Fox
Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United
Timbers vs. Sounders
Sunday 1:00 and 3:13, ABC
https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/mls-schedule-premier-league-nbc-20210506.html
The City-Chelsea match has the potential be the dullest soccer game ever played. There are also two stellar La Liga matches between the four title contenders that are on BeIn.
This is a pretty good development for consumers, as now all major soccer leagues have consolidated with ESPN+ and Paramount+ (unless you’re a big Premier League fan, in which case you’re still stuck with Peacock). Even then , you can still get a lot of free matches via Telemundo and NBC.
Yeah, ESPN+ already carries my major viewing interests so anything else they consolidate under their banner is gravy.
Anything is better than BeIn, although I will sorely miss Ray. Quick aside on that, he threatened his broadcast partner Phil Schoen with violence yesterday and I think he was only half kiddng. I also think it will be a major boon for the league to appear on a channel Americans recognize.
It's funny how divisive Ray is. I consider him one of the worst broadcasters I've ever heard. It's like watching a weird mashup of MST3K and a footy game. Automatic mute or find an illegal stream.
I totally get why he's not for everyone--he's completely loony tunes and over the top. Like Jack Edwards for the Bruins but without the air of professionalism (N.B. I haven't watched the Broons regularly on NESN in years, so not sure how relevant the comparison still is). But when he was calling peak Barca, Real, and Atleti matches he definitely gave the amazing play the superlatives they deserved. I feel like I've followed Ray's career pretty closely, and he started off real strong, went over the top, and is finally settling in to a reasonable approach. The man knows football and he also knows how to usually take a positive spin on any play or outcome (a sign of professionalism IMO). He's also been severely limited by BeIN generally BeING shitty, and Phil Schoen being utterly overmatched in the booth. Phil is definitely a professional straight man and his work as an analyst is actually pretty good, but he's terrible in the booth and has barely developed any chemistry with Ray despite working together for years and years.
Last edited:
I think Ray being so good outside of the booth is part of why I hate him in it. He has the knowledge, he has the chops, and he can deliver his ideas in a beautiful manner. Then he gets in the booth and thinks people are tuning in for him, not Messi and Ronaldo.
On the other hand, I've always been a minimalist when it comes to commentary. I'd rather hear nothing but the crowd with occasional updates you can't get from your own eyes. Ray is the opposite of that.
On the other hand, I've always been a minimalist when it comes to commentary. I'd rather hear nothing but the crowd with occasional updates you can't get from your own eyes. Ray is the opposite of that.
That's an entirely reasonable position but I prefer a broadcast that injects a bit of excitement at the proper moments. How do you feel about Peter Drury? For me, he's the best in the game. Not necessarily super insightful, but on Doc Emrick's level of understanding the flows of the game and raising his intensity precisely when you are on the edge of your seat.
The Fox Sports commentators are more your style (understated, let the game breathe much more than the NBC/Peacock guys) and I will say that just about every time I've tuned into a Bundesliga match I learn something new. That being said, I find the broadcast values a bit dull and monotone.
Drury's got it. There's something about his pipes that will keep him from being an all-timer for me, but he might be the best in the business today.
I really think Arlo White, with the right coaching, could be the voice of the game in the future. There's a danger in what I think he's been asked to do by NBC- he's starting to have a bit of a personality about him that he's injecting in a mellow Hudson sort of way. If he gets picked up by one of the UK outfits to take over for Martin Tyler, for instance, he may hit that level.
Martin Tyler absolutely had it. He's aged out of his prime, however.
I really enjoy Jon Champion. He's somewhat understated, dry British humor at times, and doesn't overwhelm the moment. He doesn't have that higher gear that the rest have, though.
Gus Johnson ruined anything he touched. If you were in the kitchen with a game on in the living room, you'd follow his excited voice to the TV to see a team awarded a... Throw in. Maybe a goal kick.
JP Dellacamera is another tough one for me. He's presided over some incredible US soccer history, but his cadence and read of the game are... Not good. At all.
I can't separate Derek Rae's commentary from my love affair with FIFA back in some of the best years of my life. I have a soft spot for his work.
For color guys... I almost don't like them in footy. I don't necessarily need their opinion on how "he should have done better with that" every time a player whiffs. There have been some infinitely bad ones, though, while most of the good ones fade to the side. Harkes was awful. Balboa was a mute. Julie Foudy if fantastic with the women's game, but she hasn't really understood that the men's game is different.
I really think Arlo White, with the right coaching, could be the voice of the game in the future. There's a danger in what I think he's been asked to do by NBC- he's starting to have a bit of a personality about him that he's injecting in a mellow Hudson sort of way. If he gets picked up by one of the UK outfits to take over for Martin Tyler, for instance, he may hit that level.
Martin Tyler absolutely had it. He's aged out of his prime, however.
I really enjoy Jon Champion. He's somewhat understated, dry British humor at times, and doesn't overwhelm the moment. He doesn't have that higher gear that the rest have, though.
Gus Johnson ruined anything he touched. If you were in the kitchen with a game on in the living room, you'd follow his excited voice to the TV to see a team awarded a... Throw in. Maybe a goal kick.
JP Dellacamera is another tough one for me. He's presided over some incredible US soccer history, but his cadence and read of the game are... Not good. At all.
I can't separate Derek Rae's commentary from my love affair with FIFA back in some of the best years of my life. I have a soft spot for his work.
For color guys... I almost don't like them in footy. I don't necessarily need their opinion on how "he should have done better with that" every time a player whiffs. There have been some infinitely bad ones, though, while most of the good ones fade to the side. Harkes was awful. Balboa was a mute. Julie Foudy if fantastic with the women's game, but she hasn't really understood that the men's game is different.
That's funny, because I LOATHE Peter Drury. Not because he over-emotes, but because he always tries to come up with some pretentious pseudoliterary description that is always awful. At least Ray Hudson is halfway in on the joke.
This. I mean, I don't loathe him, but he's always trying to be too clever by half. And he also shares what I think of as "Sean McDonough-itis", in that his voice breaks in unfortunate ways when he gets super-excited in dramatic moments.
(I really wish I could strut my stuff as a soccer commentator in America. I think you guys would be pleasantly surprised...)
The Fire confirmed that Arlo will call some number of games this summer with Meola. The club originally signed him up last summer, but the pandemic screwed up that plan. Apparently, Arlo has family in Chicago, so there's a personal connection that made him interested in getting paid to spend his summers here.
That said, I like the Tyler Terens-Tony Meola tandem we get on WGN. I think Terens over-talks a bit, tries to fill up too much space, but he calls the right things and has a nice cadence. It's also clear that he works on his craft and has improved over the past year. Totally subjective, but I don't like his voice. It's not a deal-breaker for me, but it's not one a deep, resonate set of pipes that so enchants me.
Meola is a lot of fun and generally informative with his commentary. It really helps that he can conjure chemistry with just about any partner and always feels natural and relaxed. He and Terens have certainly had a lot of time to fill with the Fire's shitty performances of late, and Tony can always get a chuckle out of me when he's killing time.
That said, I like the Tyler Terens-Tony Meola tandem we get on WGN. I think Terens over-talks a bit, tries to fill up too much space, but he calls the right things and has a nice cadence. It's also clear that he works on his craft and has improved over the past year. Totally subjective, but I don't like his voice. It's not a deal-breaker for me, but it's not one a deep, resonate set of pipes that so enchants me.
Meola is a lot of fun and generally informative with his commentary. It really helps that he can conjure chemistry with just about any partner and always feels natural and relaxed. He and Terens have certainly had a lot of time to fill with the Fire's shitty performances of late, and Tony can always get a chuckle out of me when he's killing time.
Arlo White is fine. I've listened to him on Five Live last Friday for Newcastle-Leicester. He's on par with Seb Hutchinson/Conor McNamara/Nigel Adderly who often are on UK radio+world feed. Is he overly descriptive for TV? Maybe.
Jim Proudfoot is underrated.
Jim Proudfoot is underrated.
I don't watch a lot of La Liga. Ray Hudson has always seemed like the Dane Cook of soccer commentators to me. Is he better when he's not doing his screaming Messi goal schtick?
Hudson drives me nuts. He's completely worn out "magisterial" and needs to only break it out when something truly incredible happens, but he can't help himself. The worst part, though, is when he gets excited and starts making his noises even though 95% of the time absolutely nothing comes of the situation. Someone will send in a halfway decent cross and while the ball is in mid-air he'll let out an "OOOOOOO!!!!!!", and then it turns out there's no one in the box to finish the cross and we just move on. This literally happens at least twenty times per game in any given game that he broadcasts.
View: https://twitter.com/rayhudson/status/1421855514296717312?s=21
“Officially left @beINSPORTSUSA today.
Adios muchachos...”
Maybe Hudson will head to ESPN so he can still call Messi/La Liga.
“Officially left @beINSPORTSUSA today.
Adios muchachos...”
Maybe Hudson will head to ESPN so he can still call Messi/La Liga.
That's a good sign for Ray Hudson fans. For the haters...don't fill your pants if he moves to ESPN!
View: https://twitter.com/FelipeCar/status/1422656462724243458
View: https://twitter.com/SportsTVRatings/status/1422657922342047750
That's more than double the UEFA Champions League final this year (3.65m across English+Spanish).
View: https://twitter.com/SportsTVRatings/status/1422657922342047750
That's more than double the UEFA Champions League final this year (3.65m across English+Spanish).
That’s the Olympics, no doubt. It’s actually not as bad a dip as I would expect, really.
CBS Sports has released its schedule for the first two international windows. It owns the rights to all Concacaf games hosted by federations other than USSF. (ESPN and Fox split the US home games.) They will all be on Paramount+, additionally one US match and two Mexico matches will be simulcast on CBS Sports Network.
https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/cbs-sports/releases/view?id=58103
If you’re looking for a free option, the Univision family of networks has the US and Mexico home matches while Telemundo has all the other nations’ home matches.
https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/cbs-sports/releases/view?id=58103
If you’re looking for a free option, the Univision family of networks has the US and Mexico home matches while Telemundo has all the other nations’ home matches.
ESPN's broadcast values for La Liga have been really good so far. My picture and camera angles have been far superior to BeIn. The announcers are a lot drier than BeIn (it would be damn-near impossible not to be), but I'm holding out further judgment.
starting to understand some of the gripes of Peacock. Trying to navigate Peacock on an older X1 box is just rough. I don't have issues getting through the tabs on Comcast's Flex device
Paramount + listed the Honduras/US game but it was not shown here on the west coast. The only broadcast was Telemundo in standard definition.
If you see Paramount listed don't assume it is actually going to show in your area of the US.
I took a look at the usual channels that would carry the game at halftime. Paid ads on two channels and an auto auction on the third.
If you see Paramount listed don't assume it is actually going to show in your area of the US.
I took a look at the usual channels that would carry the game at halftime. Paid ads on two channels and an auto auction on the third.
English Premier League Rights Could Fetch $2 Billion - Bloomberg
Looks like EPL is going to get paid...again
I would think that the current state is probably better than anything else anyone else would do here. I’m annoyed by Peacock but NBC has generally given us superior coverage to anyone else I think we should be hoping it stays put
I'm very happy with the status quo as well.
That said, I think that NBC paid around $250 million for the rights on the last go-round, if memory serves. Even if they hold on to the broadcasting rights, increasing their costs by a factor of 8 is likely to have some negative consequences for the fans.
I think they are paying about $150m per season, so $2 billion for 6 seasons would be a little over double the current.