Premiership US TV Rights To NBC & Telemundo

[Dehere]

It'll be out soon. 3 years, $250m.

 

[RedSoxFan]

Wow, seriously? NBC wasn't even expected to aggressively bid for this package. This is a huge blow to FOX and ESPN.

 

[Bosoxen]

I love it. The Telemundo family of networks means more options. Which means that we may actually get a good majority of every weekend's matches here in the States, albeit mostly in Spanish. Which I'm ok with!

 

[ifmanis5]

Wow, that's a lot of money. Comcast cable subscribers, get out your wallets.

 

[Zomp]

I'm scared...

 

[DLew On Roids]

I'm interested in seeing where they plan on putting the NBC broadcasts. NBCSN would be the ESPN analog with the top game of the week, but where do the FSC games go? CSN regional? Digital local channels? The CSN regionals show a lot of college football at times when FSC is running live and first-run broadcasts. And then, on the flip side, does NBC put the game of the week on NBC? That would be huge.

 

[TheRealness]

Well, they have to replace hockey somehow, and they've been fairly decent at covering the MLS from what I have watched. Interesting move, but I like it for NBC.

 

[biollante]

When does this start ? I hope it means more soccer on tv but I can't tell.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Fox Soccer's shelf is pretty bare if this is true.

EDIT: Haven't found anything on the web that supports this yet.

 

[teddykgb]

i'm really scared about the lack of channels

fox soccer has nothing better to show. fox soccer + is an extortion but it gets me most of the games i'd otherwise miss. I'm really really scared of this

 

[ifmanis5]

Bob Ley quietly sobbing in his office right now.

 

[Infield Infidel]

If this brings some scheduling synergy between NBC, EPL and MLS, that would be huge. In the Spring we could see and EPL match followed by an MLS match every weekend.

 

[sachmoney]

If this means no more Ian Darke and Steve McManaman, then I am all for it.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Since I still have no access to Fox Soccer in HD (thanks, Comcast!), I'm fine with games going to NBCSN.

 

[RedSoxFan]

NBC Universal Is Front-Runner In Bid For U.S. TV Rights For EPL. Looks like we won't get anything offical until next week.

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

If this means no more Ian Darke and Steve McManaman, then I am all for it.

What's wrong with Ian Darke?

 

[Senator Donut]

What's wrong with Ian Darke?

He's worse than Jack Edwards with his in-game soliloquies. "On the night of 9/11 number nine has scored for USA!"

 

[URI]

I hope they get Martin Tyler. Or trade some 1930's radio show like they did for Al Michaels.

 

[Nick Kaufman]

I'm interested in seeing where they plan on putting the NBC broadcasts. NBCSN would be the ESPN analog with the top game of the week, but where do the FSC games go? CSN regional? Digital local channels? The CSN regionals show a lot of college football at times when FSC is running live and first-run broadcasts. And then, on the flip side, does NBC put the game of the week on NBC? That would be huge.

Everything that's on FSC goes to NBCSN, that's what makes sense, because that's what's going to build this channel.

 

[Blundatola]

I assume NBC will offer similar television offerings as Fox does now so that doesn't concern me much and I'm with SoxFanInCali where this will be a bonus if I can finally watch football in HD (f u Comcast). My concern is whether a similar streaming service to FoxSoccer2Go will be offered since that's how I catch most Newcastle matches.

 

[Mr. Wednesday]

As I also posted on another site...

Whither FSC?

If this happens, they have the Champions League for the next season (or is it two or three?), and the World Cup in 2018 and 2022. Beyond that, their portfolio of rights looks pretty sparse. With BeIN grabbing pretty much all of the other major European leagues, will FSC get rebranded into a more general sports channel (or some other genre entirely)?

 

[Blundatola]

And of course now that Fox Soccer looks like it's on the way out, I see we've finally gotten it in HD on Comcast here in Chicago. Good lord...

 

[Spacemans Bong]

As I also posted on another site...

Whither FSC?

If this happens, they have the Champions League for the next season (or is it two or three?), and the World Cup in 2018 and 2022. Beyond that, their portfolio of rights looks pretty sparse. With BeIN grabbing pretty much all of the other major European leagues, will FSC get rebranded into a more general sports channel (or some other genre entirely)?

I'm dusting off my copy of the stoner-metal theme from Championship Rugby right now... I heard Max Bretos and Lionel Bienvenu are available.

 

[DLew On Roids]

I miss Lionel Bienvenu. Last time I checked he was doing local sports in Denver.

Everything that's on FSC goes to NBCSN, that's what makes sense, because that's what's going to build this channel.

That doesn't make sense. FSC shows live and first-run matches until 5:00 pm ET most Saturdays. That's not going to work on a channel that has other programming lined up, like college football and hockey.

I wouldn't be surprised if Comcast bought FSC, with Al Jazeera buying FS+.

 

[Senator Donut]

It's official.

Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch has some additional details:

How many games will be available?

In an interview Sunday night with SI.com, NBC Chairman Mark Lazarus said NBC Sports Network will be the primary carrier of EPL games and that EPL fans will have access to every game on the schedule through an NBC platform. "It will not be unlike the Olympics where you saw programming on CNBC, Bravo, USA or MSNBC," Lazarus said. "We are working to make it a consistent schedule so fans know exactly where to find games. But the Premier League fan will be able to get to every game live."

(emphasis mine)

Who will call the games?

Lazarus said NBC has already had early talks with BT (formally British Telecom), which acquired a set of the UK rights to the EPL, and the two could partner on production. As far as broadcasting talent, a subject of fanatical concern for soccer fans, Lazarus said he thinks NBC has some talent on its roster that will translate well but he will be in acquisition mode. The network has an exceptional soccer play by play announcer in Arlo White and it's a near-guarantee he will play a significant role on EPL broadcasts.

 

[teddykgb]

Well that certainly allays my fears. If every game is really going to be watchable in some form, then aside from having to deal with my eventual divorce because I won't do anything on Saturday mornings I think this should work out pretty awesome. I don't really care who calls the games, most of the people doing it now are so terrible that I can't see how it could be worse.

 

[Turrable]

Well that certainly allays my fears. If every game is really going to be watchable in some form, then aside from having to deal with my eventual divorce because I won't do anything on Saturday mornings I think this should work out pretty awesome. I don't really care who calls the games, most of the people doing it now are so terrible that I can't see how it could be worse.

I don't expect them to scrape the bottom of the barrel for talent, but as a D.C. United fan, trust me, it could be MUCH worse.

 

[LTF]

So will MSNBC feature all the supplementary programming found on FSC? I don't regularly watch it, but I do tune in each week for the highlights show that airs Sunday night/Monday night. The Premier League "classic matches" program is cool, too.

 

[Kevin Jewkilis]

This is the network that said you could pay to stream Olympic coverage on-line provided you also pay for cable, right? Based on that precedent, I'm not optimistic about them matching foxsoccer.tv's service, so I guess it'll back to listening to the radio feed online.

 

[dirtynine]

I'm dusting off my copy of the stoner-metal theme from Championship Rugby right now... I heard Max Bretos and Lionel Bienvenu are available.

Post that theme if you actually have it - such an air-guitar classic. I did a quick search and this is all I could find... even the old FSW Report lead-in music makes me nostalgic.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1KMxcA1dPQ[/youtube]

 

[Vinho Tinto]

This is the network that said you could pay to stream Olympic coverage on-line provided you also pay for cable, right? Based on that precedent, I'm not optimistic about them matching foxsoccer.tv's service, so I guess it'll back to listening to the radio feed online.

On the other hand, if you are me and are paying for cable, then you had to pay an additional cost for Fox's streaming service.

 

[ese718xc]

This feels like good news to me. NBC has access to several different channels in HD and nothing else to run on Saturday mornings in the way of content. There's no logic to NBC outbidding Fox and others for the rights and then burying the investment. For 250MM NBC clearly sees the potential for soccer as an emerging US sport.

Yesterday, NBC was running Bull Riding against the NFL 1PM games, so clearly they have the need for Fall sports programming.

 

[Infield Infidel]

NBCSN routinely shows Ivy League or other FCS football on Saturday afternoons, so a 1pm game might be good there too

 

[The Talented Allen Ripley]

As expected, with no EPL rights, Fox Soccer is folding. It's being rebranded as an entertainment channel called FXX.
 
Remaining soccer programming will be incorporated into Fox's planned national sports network (and competitor to ESPN), Fox Sports 1.

 

[mgoblue2]

As expected, with no EPL rights, Fox Soccer is folding. It's being rebranded as an entertainment channel called FXX.
 
Remaining soccer programming will be incorporated into Fox's planned national sports network (and competitor to ESPN), Fox Sports 1.

 
Rob Stone come on down! Between this and the stuff upthread about every game being watchable (something I've detested in the Fox Soccer era), this actually seems like a solid move.

 

[coremiller]

Gus Johnson will be Fox's lead soccer announcer: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130205/gus-johnson-world-cup-fox/

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Gus Johnson will be Fox's lead soccer announcer: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130205/gus-johnson-world-cup-fox/

I like Gus Johnson. I prefer my futebol announcers who can be loud and bombastic. He's a risky choice. That said, the bar has been pretty low for most US broadcast finals. 

 

[Dehere]

Gus makes his Champions League debut tomorrow at 2:30 ET in the Real - Man U game on Fox Soccer.

 

[Orel Miraculous]

So far Gus is doing too much rote description for my tastes, but even if he improves, this is still a bad decision.  European soccer is just vastly better with an understated British guy manning the booth.

 

[Turrable]

All 380 English Premier League games will be televised live by NBC and its networks next season as part of a multiyear contract. 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 all EPL games 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.

 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2013/04/16/nbc-premier-league-contract-nbc-sports-network/2088081/
 
Match of the Day will also be involved:
 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/apr/16/nbc-premier-league-match-of-the-day
 
Here's the NBC press event:
 
http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/video/nbc-sports-groups-premier-league-press-event-executive-opening-remarks/
 

 

 

[Senator Donut]

The tv schedule for the first five months is out. Spoiler for the wall of text:

Spoiler

Date Time (ET) Home Away Network
Sat., Aug. 17 7:45 a.m. Liverpool Stoke NBCSN
10 a.m. Arsenal Aston Villa TBD
10 a.m. Norwich Everton TBD
10 a.m. Sunderland Fulham TBD
10 a.m. West Ham Cardiff TBD
10 a.m. West Brom Southampton TBD
12:30 p.m. Swansea Man United NBC, mun2
Sun., Aug. 18 8:30 a.m. Crystal Palace Tottenham NBCSN
11 a.m. Chelsea Hull NBCSN
Mon., Aug. 19 3 p.m. Man City Newcastle NBCSN
***
Wed., Aug. 21 2:30 p.m. Chelsea Aston Villa NBCSN
***
Sat., Aug. 24 7:45 a.m. Fulham Arsenal NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Newcastle West Ham TBD
10 a.m. Everton West Brom TBD
10 a.m. Southampton Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. Hull Norwich TBD
10 a.m. Stoke Crystal Palace TBD
12:30 p.m. Aston Villa Liverpool NBC
Sun., Aug. 25 11 a.m. Tottenham Swansea TBD
11 a.m. Cardiff Man City TBD
Mon., Aug 26 3 p.m. Man United Chelsea NBCSN
***
Sat., Aug. 31 7:45 a.m. Man City Hull NBCSN
10 a.m. Newcastle Fulham TBD
10 a.m. Cardiff Everton TBD
10 a.m. West Ham Stoke TBD
10 a.m. West Brom Swansea TBD
10 a.m. Norwich Southampton TBD
12:30 p.m. Crystal Palace Sunderland NBC
Sun., Sept. 1 8:30 a.m. Liverpool Man United NBCSN, Telemundo
11 a.m. Arsenal Tottenham NBCSN, mun2
***
Sat., Sept. 14 7:45 a.m. Man United Crystal Palace NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Sunderland Arsenal TBD
10 a.m. Stoke Man City TBD
10 a.m. Tottenham Norwich TBD
10 a.m. Aston Villa Newcastle TBD
10 a.m. Fulham West Brom TBD
10 a.m. Hull Cardiff TBD
12:30 p.m. Everton Chelsea NBC, mun2
Sun., Sept. 15 11 a.m. Southampton West Ham NBCSN
Mon., Sept. 16 3 p.m. Swansea Liverpool NBCSN
***
Sat., Sept. 21 7:45 a.m. Norwich Aston Villa NBCSN
10 a.m. Cardiff Tottenham TBD
10 a.m. Liverpool Southampton TBD
10 a.m. West Ham Everton TBD
10 a.m. West Brom Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. Newcastle Hull TBD
10 a.m. Crystal Palace Swansea TBD
12:30 p.m. Chelsea Fulham NBCSN, mun2
Sun., Sept. 22 8:30 a.m. Arsenal Stoke CNBC, mun2
11 a.m. Man City Man United NBCSN, Telemundo
***
Sat., Sept. 28 7:45 a.m. Tottenham Chelsea NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Aston Villa Man City TBD
10 a.m. Man United West Brom TBD
10 a.m. Fulham Cardiff TBD
10 a.m. Hull West Ham TBD
10 a.m. Southampton Crystal Palace TBD
12:30 p.m. Swansea Arsenal NBC
Sun., Sept. 29 8:30 a.m. Stoke Norwich NBCSN
11 a.m. Sunderland Liverpool NBCSN
Mon., Sept. 30 3 p.m. Everton Newcastle NBCSN
***
Sat., Oct. 5 7:45 a.m. Man City Everton NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Tottenham West Ham TBD
10 a.m. Liverpool Crystal Palace TBD
10 a.m. Cardiff Newcastle TBD
10 a.m. Fulham Stoke TBD
10 a.m. Hull Aston Villa TBD
10 a.m. Southampton Swansea TBD
12:30 p.m. Sunderland Man United NBCSN, mun2
Sun., Oct. 6 8:30 a.m. Norwich Chelsea NBCSN
11 a.m. West Brom Arsenal NBCSN
***
Sat., Oct. 19 7:45 a.m. Newcastle Liverpool NBCSN
10 a.m. Man United Southampton TBD
10 a.m. Arsenal Norwich TBD
10 a.m. Chelsea Cardiff TBD
10 a.m. Everton Hull TBD
10 a.m. Swansea Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. Stoke West Brom TBD
12:30 p.m. West Ham Man City NBC
Sun., Oct. 20 11 a.m. Aston Villa Tottenham NBCSN, mun2
Mon., Oct. 21 3 p.m. Crystal Palace Fulham NBCSN
***
Sat., Oct. 26 7:45 a.m. Crystal Palace Arsenal NBCSN
10 a.m. Man United Stoke TBD
10 a.m. Liverpool West Brom TBD
10 a.m. Tottenham Hull TBD
10 a.m. Aston Villa Everton TBD
10 a.m. Swansea West Ham TBD
10 a.m. Norwich Cardiff TBD
12:30 p.m. Southampton Fulham NBCSN
Sun., Oct. 27 9:30 a.m. Chelsea Man City NBCSN, mun2
Noon Sunderland Newcastle NBCSN
***
Sat., Nov. 2 8:45 Newcastle Chelsea NBCSN
11 a.m. Fulham Man United TBD
11 a.m. Man City Norwich TBD
11 a.m. Hull Sunderland TBD
11 a.m. West Ham Aston Villa TBD
11 a.m. Stoke Southampton TBD
11 a.m. West Brom Crystal Palace TBD
1:30 Arsenal Liverpool NBC, mun2
Sun., Nov. 3 8:30 a.m. Everton Tottenham CNBC
11 a.m. Cardiff Swansea NBCSN
***
Sat., Nov. 9 10 a.m. Liverpool Fulham TBD
10 a.m. Crystal Palace Everton TBD
10 a.m. Swansea Stoke TBD
10 a.m. Aston Villa Cardiff TBD
10 a.m. Southampton Hull TBD
10 a.m. Chelsea West Brom TBD
12:30 p.m. Norwich West Ham NBC
Sun., Nov. 10 7 a.m. Tottenham Newcastle NBCSN
9:05 a.m. Sunderland Man City NBCSN
11:10 a.m. Man United Arsenal NBCSN, Telemundo
***
Sat., Nov. 23 7:45 a.m. Everton Liverpool NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Arsenal Southampton TBD
10 a.m. Fulham Swansea TBD
10 a.m. Stoke Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. Newcastle Norwich TBD
10 a.m. Hull Crystal Palace TBD
12:30 Man City Tottenham NBC, mun2
Sun., Nov. 24 8:30 a.m. West Ham Chelsea NBCSN
11 a.m. Cardiff Man United NBCSN, mun2
Mon., Nov. 25 3 p.m. West Brom Aston Villa NBCSN
***
Sat., Nov. 30 7:45 a.m. Tottenham Man United NBCSN, Telemundo
10 a.m. Man City Swansea TBD
10 a.m. Cardiff Arsenal TBD
10 a.m. Everton Stoke TBD
10 a.m. Aston Villa Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. West Ham Fulham TBD
10 a.m. Norwich Crystal Palace TBD
12:30 p.m. Newcastle West Brom NBC
Sun., Dec. 1 8:30 a.m. Hull Liverpool NBCSN
11 a.m. Chelsea Southampton NBCSN

http://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/sports/nbcsports/pressreleases?pr=contents/press-releases/2013/07/29/nbcsportsgroupa1391234.xml

 

[DLew On Roids]

Right now seems like a good time to remember how the only European league games on TV used to be tape delayed on public TV. Now the EPL is live on NBC on college football Saturdays. SPROING.

 

[coremiller]

Right now seems like a good time to remember how the only European league games on TV used to be tape delayed on public TV. Now the EPL is live on NBC on college football Saturdays. SPROING.

 
The U.S. now actually has better EPL TV coverage than England does, because England has a blackout during the traditional 3 p.m. Saturday timeslot to protect attendances at lower league clubs.

 

[Zomp]

Dlew do we get NBCS with Fios?

 

[The Talented Allen Ripley]

Yep, channel 590. I guess you didn't watch any of the NHL playoffs.

 

[Bailey10]

Absolutely love that NBC is committing to televise the 12:30 game each Saturday on national television. I think it's a saavy move, possibly attracting more fans who will then subscribe to NBCSN and whatever specific soccer channel they put out. Also proof, given that the MLS get a handful of NBC games all season, that the number one soccer league for US fans has been and will continue to be the English Premier League.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

 
The U.S. now actually has better EPL TV coverage than England does, because England has a blackout during the traditional 3 p.m. Saturday timeslot to protect attendances at lower league clubs.

 

Now? It's been like that for years, since before I moved to the UK.
 
What's even more amazing is that the US literally has infinity more games on broadcast television than the UK does. There has never been a Premier League game on UK broadcast television. The United fucking States of America will have, what, at least one a week? Fuck me.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Absolutely love that NBC is committing to televise the 12:30 game each Saturday on national television. I think it's a saavy move, possibly attracting more fans who will then subscribe to NBCSN and whatever specific soccer channel they put out. Also proof, given that the MLS get a handful of NBC games all season, that the number one soccer league for US fans has been and will continue to be the English Premier League.

 
In English.  Overall, I'm not sure that the Premier League beats out Liga MX.

 

[mgoblue2]

 
What's even more amazing is that the US literally has infinity more games on broadcast television than the UK does. There has never been a Premier League game on UK broadcast television.

 
I thought Sky Sports did the Monday night game.

 

[DLew On Roids]

 
I thought Sky Sports did the Monday night game.

 
Sky isn't broadcast.  Bonger's talking about BBC, ITV, Channels 4 and 5.