EPL to NBC: Good or bad for MLS?

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by MLSFan123, Oct 26, 2012.

  1. holiday

    holiday Member+

    Oct 16, 2007
    :confused:
    look at serie-a and la liga...
    that's what i meant by 'europe.'
    they kick off games at 19:45 local, 20:00 local, iirc sometimes even 22:00...
    (your '8pm midweek' is actually 9pm across that unfathomable body of water known as the english channel.)
     
  2. sidefootsitter

    sidefootsitter Member+

    Oct 14, 2004
    The problem is that there's a lag (although, it didn't take GolTV long to fall from grace).

    The Bundesliga rights come up after this season too but I expect NBC SN to go heavy into the EPL. Too much money invested, too much new inventory to dispose off.

    The UEFA CL matches begin at 2:45 PM in the US and the EPL Monday matches often begin at 3 PM.

    Add to that a couple of hours of post-game shows and NBC SN is heading into the prime time.

    Which they will program with another ManU-Chelsea repeat.

    And people will watch it.
     
  3. holiday

    holiday Member+

    Oct 16, 2007
    maybe i misread him, but it seemed to me that Mucky talked about someday scheduling some late epl games like it involved some kind of geological feat. so i pointed out that off the emerald isle they've figured that one out already.

    as for lag time, yeah, that's where the inconvenience might come in. eventually the distribution should work out.
     
  4. Sounders78

    Sounders78 Member+

    Apr 20, 2009
    Olympia
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    France
    But in Spain one typically goes out to dinner at 10pm or later. That is definitely not the case in England. You simply cannot compare England to Spain or Italy - the cultures are too different. 10pm starts will never happen in England. Even in London you had better start figuring out your transport options after 11pm because you could find yourself in a bit of difficulty.
     
  5. sidefootsitter

    sidefootsitter Member+

    Oct 14, 2004
    the ever infamous 39th game?

    I bet it will happen ... how does Liverpool-Arsenal at the Vivian Richards sound to you?
     
  6. holiday

    holiday Member+

    Oct 16, 2007
    london has no night life? didn't know that. :D
    and why are you talking about only 10pm games? around 8pm will do, like italy.
    the real late dinners are more a summer thing.
    as for temperature, london in jan and feb is warmer than milan, on average.
    of course london is wetter, which i'd agree is a bummer especially in combination with chilly air.
     
  7. Mucky

    Mucky Member+

    Mar 30, 2009
    Manchester England
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    You need to reread the original quote you replied to which was specific to EPL because that is what we are talking about right, the rights to EPL?

    Anyway it seems my hypothetical was blown out of the water by NFL coverage over a weekend so no need to pursue it, it won't happen.

    I still would secretly love to know the viewing figures for a live EPL game 5PM US (West coast?) Sunday kick off and a live MLS game that followed that lead in and if that would translate to the conversion of any "eurosnobs".
     
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  8. holiday

    holiday Member+

    Oct 16, 2007
    cutting through misunderstandings, my point tried to be that if it were deemed desirable to schedule saturday or sunday night kickoffs for some epl games (say in the context of a tv deal for the u.s.), there's no need to wait until some future time. such a start time wouldn't be any novel concept for european soccer, for example.
    if the tv honchos and epl bosses shared your curiosity about ratings for a live weekend afternoon broadcast to the u.s., it could happen easily enough.
    (not 5pm west coast however, if i read you right, which is 1am at old trafford.)
     
  9. ThreeApples

    ThreeApples Member+

    Jul 28, 1999
    Smurf Village
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The NFL ends in February.
     
  10. Sounders78

    Sounders78 Member+

    Apr 20, 2009
    Olympia
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    France
    And by US you mean the eastern time zone only.
     
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  11. Unak78

    Unak78 BigSoccer Supporter

    Dec 17, 2007
    PSG & Enyimba FC
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Nigeria
    I think that MLS will always prefer to divide their rights. It gets them more exposure across multiple networks which is congruous to their growth cycle. I say try to double sell their rights for at least another cycle.

    As for FSC, this has gotta suck for Kara Lang, who's career was cut short, but who I've enjoyed watching on Fox Soccer News as the new "designated female". I thought that the job was very positive for her and hope she bounces back on another channel if FSC goes under.

    The fact that Fox isn't willing to go into the hundreds of millions of dollars for this tells me that they're ready to pull the plug on the channel. They've basically dumped most of their soccer coverage already. I, for one, am going to severely miss the c0nvenience of having an all-soccer channel in the US. This could be a huge blow for the sport here bc it was a single place that ppl who loved the sport could go to see leagues all over the world and domestically.

    Even with the EPL and MLS on NBC Sports it's going to be a far cry from a dedicated soccer channel, but more of an accessory to their burgeoning sports network. Ultimately, the idea of one channel being able to hold all the rights necessary to make something like FSC was going to become unmanageable should the sport's value as a commodity outstrip the value that it can add to an all-soccer network.

    But the writing was on the wall. FSC2 is basically already the all-rugby network with a little Scottish football mixed in. Anyways, I'm going to miss FSC and the ability to watch Sky Sports News; it was sometimes fun to watch what the Brits are doing. I learned alot about cricket. And I hope that the few personalities that I did like from the network find new jobs if it goes under. Peace.
     
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  12. Heist

    Heist Member+

    Jun 15, 2001
    Virginia
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The EPL game leading into an MLS game could easily happen (and probably has on FSC at some point). Not sure they'd ever schedule an EPL game just so that it benefits the US market.
     
  13. looknohands

    looknohands Member+

    Apr 23, 2009
    Louisville, KY
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Fully agree with you on this. Unless a network is willing to step and say, "We want to televise a hundred matches a year," I believe it'll be much easier to have two or three (or more) pick up thirty games apiece.

    Assuming that beIN continues to find carriers, it looks as though they'll be the ones to pick up the soccer-focused slack.
     
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  14. brittkamp

    brittkamp Member

    Nov 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I will wait to see where bein sport ends up. I believe strongly that the murdoch/sky people will eventually make a deal with bein for some of their programming if the channel is still hard to find or fares poorly like setanna? did.
    I belive MLS will be fine, in 2014 I expect to see MLS back on FSC to help fox get ready for its World Cup coverage.
     
  15. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Isn't that a step back though, going to FSC?

    I worry for MLS about the congestion. FSC always has EPL games on. Live, then replays throughout the day. Replays all week. I doubt the EPL would have sold the rights to NBCSN if there was going to be less access than on FSC. Then you add in that NBCSN also broadcasts hockey. Games on NBC have been great publicity for MLS, but now they're up against NBC having a choice of a NY/SKC game or a ManU/City or Ars/Chelsea game. Which does NBC go with?

    One hope is given the investment NBC continues adding more MLS games on NBC and simply adds the EPL games to that. More soccer for everyone. But imo some of either MLS or EPL games have to be sublet to another network. Would NBCSN sublet to ESPN, a direct competitor, some EPL games, freeing up blocks for MLS on NBCSN? Would ESPN take on more MLS games. That would be great. Are either sublet back to FSC? I'd have to see the ratings MLS had on FSC compared to what they are now on NBCSN, but wouldn't that be a step back after switching?

    And what will NBCSN priority be? Their investment favors the EPL by an 8 to 1 ratio, so I assume making that money back is the priority. If NBC was showing as many soccer games as ESPN I wouldn't be worried, and just assume they'll use both networks enough to please all fans, but games on NBC are rare, simply put, compared to ESPN.

    Would EPL lead ins to MLS games help if there was overall less MLS games on NBCSN?

    I get Bein, but until considerably more do I won't consider that a positive option.

    Obviously another chip has to fall.
     
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  16. stingbee30

    stingbee30 Member

    Mar 16, 2006
    The idea that BPL is not going to change the starting time is flawed....Today, BPL is a global entity residing in England. The fact that they just got $250 million from NBC shows the global reach and importance of BPL. NBC will telecast a few games during each season. NBC is not that stupid to just spend $250 million on BPL without maximizing the product.

    For those of you who still think BPL or Soccer is a niche sport, then it is important to look at the facts....How much did Fox/Telemundo paid for World Cup rights? How much NBC just paid for BPL? Sporting content TV rights fee has outpaced inflation by wide margin. I expect MLS TV rights will jump by 50% for all the players....

    MLS and US Soccer might be packaged together after 2014. After 2014, ESPN will only be left with the EURO 2016 as only major Soccer tournament. So, as you can see, ESPN has to keep MLS to give them some sort of soccer presence on a yearly basis. I expect ESPN, FOX, and NBC bidding for MLS rights. My bet is on ESPN and NBC. NBC initial term was something that MLS preferred. MLS wants all TV rights to be renegotiated after 2014 at the same time. I expect the next TV term for MLS will run for 8-10 years. ESPN package will probably increase from $8 million a year to about $20-$25 million a year. Expect the same for package 2. It is very possible that NBC new term will include Telemundo (for the Spanish feed).

    MLS TV rights will increase substantially in this next phase. For starters, you have to spend about $50 million or so to buy a team going forward (from $10 million). The league attendance keeps going higher with a new record this year. The value of each franchise has increased including over $100 million for LA Galaxy. The league has allowed team to increase their payroll when it comes to DP signings. The ESPN package might also include showing some games on ABC as part of their pitch. Regardless, the recent substantial increases for Soccer TV rights is a good thing for MLS. This means that now you have 3 major outlets (English outlets) competing for Soccer content.

    All of this recent trends will probably force ESPN to be far more aggressive with MLS going forward. I will also assume that they would probably put an aggressive bid to keep US Soccer games (WC qualifying games, and friendlies) as part of their soccer portfolio. Otherwise, they will have a big huge void between 2014 and 2016. I would also assume that ESPN might go after television the proposed special Copa America 2016 (hosted by the US).

    As for FOX, they have the rights for future World Cups, and UEFA Champions League. They might add games from the German League. They still have access to GOLD Cup, and CONCAF's Champions League matches.
     
  17. tigersoccer2005

    tigersoccer2005 Member+

    Dec 1, 2003
    North Bergen, NJ
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    EPL and MLS complement each other. MLS has the majority of its games during the spring/summer while EPL starts in the late summer going into the fall. During the autumn, when they both overlap, the starting times for both leagues are complementary. Most MLS games usually start on sat night/ sunday night. The sun afternoon MLS game is usually on Galavision. EPL games are on during the early morning and early afternoon. For a network that doesn't carry NFL or Baseball its' a perfect fit. You add in the NHL (if they ever get back from this unbearable lockout) and you have a full slate of games for a young, rising, sports network. They can also always rebroadcast EPL during the week

    Perhaps NBC will sublet some of the EPL games they cant broadcast to Fox or ESPN. But make no mistake, NBC will take the choice games, leaving the subletted games to be mostly mid tier or bottom tier stuff that doesn't interest too many people. The Big 5 (Man U, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea) and the occassional game featuring new risers that people are interested in, such as Tottenham, Everton, Fulham will be exclusive to NBC.
     
  18. Heist

    Heist Member+

    Jun 15, 2001
    Virginia
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Fulham? Who wants to watch them anymore now that they have no Americans?!
    Does anyone know how they currently decide which station gets which EPL games? Is it just based on the start times? Early Sat morning is all (or almost all) ESPN. Monday Afternoon also seems to be ESPN's most of the time. FSC takes all 12:30 EST Saturday games and the late Sunday morning games and any replays. Does one of the stations have right of first refusal on some set of games or all the games?
     
  19. tigersoccer2005

    tigersoccer2005 Member+

    Dec 1, 2003
    North Bergen, NJ
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    FSC is the current rights holder so they are the ones that sublet certain games to ESPN. As the rights holder, I would imagine FSC gets first choice of which games to broadcast.
     
  20. Heist

    Heist Member+

    Jun 15, 2001
    Virginia
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That's what I thought was the case, but ESPN will be getting ManU-Aresnal next Saturday. That's what makes me think its about the time slot...
     
  21. Totoro

    Totoro Member+

    Dec 3, 2009
    Colorado
    Shit, even Manchester United fans are using that term? What do people even mean by it? Does MLS (and CONCACAF, apparently) still need to be handled like such a delicate flower that we still need to use flamebait?
     
  22. MRschizoid21

    MRschizoid21 Member

    Nov 5, 2004
    Brooklyn, NY
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    i don't know, I'm sure FOX has some other strategy. There's no way they spent all this time and money going from niche channel to semi-niche channel to World Cup rights holder in 2015 to just flat-out quitting.
     
  23. MasterShake29

    MasterShake29 Member+

    Oct 28, 2001
    Jersey City, NJ
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It is, because that's the deal they made.
     
  24. justink

    justink Member

    Jul 15, 2000
    I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about Kara. Fox Soccer Show is produced by Sportsnet in Toronto. So, Lang will be used for other things as she has already been such as shilling for Rogers (owns Sportsnet), Olympics & women's soccer matches.
     
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  25. CeltTexan

    CeltTexan Member+

    Sep 21, 2000
    Houston, TX USA
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Regarding FSC going away someday, somehow, as long as there is Fox Sports World Español, Univision and my local MLS team live in stadium, meh, my buddies n I will be fine.
     

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