http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/richard_deitsch/10/28/nbc-confirms-epl-deal/index.html the rumors were true NBC confirmed 8 pm tonight The English Premier League, home to storied clubs such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United, has a new television partner in the United States.NBC Universal formally announced Sunday night it has become the exclusive English- and Spanish-language media rights holder to all 380 Premier League matches across all platforms and devices in the U.S. Starting next August, the EPL will appear on a variety of NBC properties including NBC, NBC Sports Network, NBCSports.com, as well as Telemundo and mun2 for Spanish-language coverage. Matches will also be live-streamed on the NBC Sports Live Extra platform across web, tablet and mobile devices.A source with knowledge of the negotiations told SI.com that NBC Universal's winning bid was $250 million for a three-year agreement, a sum more than triple the $23 million per year that Fox currently pays for its deal. Sports Business Daily first reported that Fox and ESPN (who partnered for the rights) had been outbid by NBC Universal.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."EPL clubs play 38 league matches over a 41-week period from August to May. The league has six traditional weekly broadcast windows, including three on Saturday, two on Sunday and one on Monday. According to Lazarus, broadcasts on those windows add up to about 200 games per season. Lazarus said the remaining 180 games (EPL clubs play games that do not count toward league standings) will be made available "digitally or through some sort of arrangement with MVPDs (multichannel video programming distributors) on some sort of pay television package."As part of the new deal, Lazarus said EPL fans can expect a number of games to be broadcast on over-the-air NBC. Those matches will likely air Saturdays and be shown live. Lazarus predicted viewers might see up to 18-20 games on NBC during the season, which would be a significant increase from Fox's over-the-air broadcasts.While offering few programming specifics, Lazarus said NBC will provide a "significant" amount of shoulder programming around live-event coverage of the EPL, including pre- and post-match shows, as well as highlight and weekly wrap-up programs. "The quantity or quality of what is on today will not be compromised in any shape or form," Lazarus said.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."We think Arlo fits very nicely, and we are working to see who fits this content," Lazarus said. "I don't think you can take someone calling an MLS game on a regional sports network, put them on an English Premier League game and have the same tone that the fan is accustomed to. We believe in the indigenous voice. And the fact we have Arlo doing our games speaks to that. We think that there is a tone and tact that the international soccer fan expects and we will not disappoint."The EPL has been the jewel in Fox Soccer Channel's programming, and much of the network's programming centers around commentary and news of the league. Fox Soccer has averaged about 136,000 viewers for live EPL games this year, down from 142,000 viewers in 2011-12. The network still has the rights to World Cup programming, beginning with the Women's World Cup in 2016. They will also air UEFA Champions League, UEFA's Europa League, the F.A. Cup, the CONCACAF Champions League and Gold Cup. "FOX Soccer has been the primary US voice of EPL for almost two decades, and has done much over the years to increase its popularity, value and availability," Fox Sports said last week in a statement. "We wish them well."Swiping the EPL gives NBC the most significant soccer portfolio among American broadcasters. Last year NBC signed a three-year media rights agreement with MLS to televise more than 40 matches per year and NBC-owned Telemundo will air the Spanish language coverage of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup. Clearly, NBC is counting on the EPL to bring eyeballs (and affluent ones at that) to NBC Sports Network, which could use an infusion of high-caliber programming with the NHL on lockout and depressed MLS ratings.Lazarus said when he took over for Dick Ebersol in May 2011, he and his executive team targeted the EPL as a strong fit alongside other NBC international properties such as the Olympics, NHL, the IndyCar series and Tour de France. (NBC has since acquired the rights to F1.) "It's a good fit," Lazarus said. "We will do great things for them and they will do great things for us." Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/richard_deitsch/10/28/nbc-confirms-epl-deal/index.html#ixzz2AdsZO0M7
This looks to be an upgrade for coverage, but Arlo White???? NOOOOO! No one can tell me he is close to on par with Ian Darke.
Not sure what this means; EPL clubs do play non-league games, but that's not included in the 380 total games.
Based on the comments it looks like they are going to hire UK based talent for game coverage. arlo might serve as a stateside studio host.
like i was saying epl ratings are going down that is why fox is getting rid of epl be prepared for even less ratings for nbc. that is why there no ratings for epl this season
YEah, I don't get the quote either, seems out of place. I think maybe the ~200 games is what tou'd get if you broadcast 1 game in every window for the season and the 180 games is what would be left that you would have to find other outlets for. Nothing to do with non-league games though,
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...28/nbc-confirms-epl-deal/index.html?eref=sihp 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. "We think Arlo fits very nicely, and we are working to see who fits this content," Lazarus said. "I don't think you can take someone calling an MLS game on a regional sports network, put them on an English Premier League game and have the same tone that the fan is accustomed to. We believe in the indigenous voice. And the fact we have Arlo doing our games speaks to that. We think that there is a tone and tact that the international soccer fan expects and we will not disappoint."
Think it was a mistake. Richard Deitsch (sort of) clarified this on Twitter: epltalk @richarddeitsch Great scoop on the Lazarus intw, but what do you mean by "EPL clubs play games that do not count toward league standings"? 10/28/12 8:04 PM richarddeitsch @epltalk Alas, that was an insert that's since been cut. Not sure what that was. 10/28/12 8:21 PM
The 180 basically refers to the "other" 15:00 local times matches. So you have 6 kickoff times as described above, which means there are 4 more games per round that inevitably share kickoff times with other matches in one of the broadcast windows (the 1500 Saturday kickoff). Of course, this assumes that there is a Monday evening match every round which we know is not true. It also doesn't take into account midweek rounds... In a somewhat strange way, they're just trying to say that when there is a conflict with matches, they will be made available via other means so that all games will be available. SA www.soccertvblog.com
Very impressed. Comcast have previously shown very little interest in soccer. Looks like things have finally changed. They'll likely use this to restrict access to satellite customers and increase their market share. Thats what I'd do if I worked for Comcast.... oh thats right, I do.
This will be good news for all you followers of lower profile leagues too I suppose. Fox Soccer will have lots of spots to fill.
You realize that NBC is spending triple the amount of money to broadcast EPL that Fox has spent the past few seasons, right? Fox didn't get rid of EPL, they got outbid on it by another network. Fox would love to still have EPL. Without it Fox Soccer has no weekly live soccer programming on the weekend for the next few seasons. All five major leagues are tied up to another broadcaster though 2015. As is MLS, I believe. Sure they still have UEFA, and the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, but you can't base an entire network of those. Nor can you run a soccer network with Eredivsie and SPL as your main weekend programming. I know you hate EPL, but the fact that the rights fee increased so dramatically indicates an increase in demand, not a decrease. Your logic makes no sense.
Will they though? I doubt Fox Soccer exists in a year. Will probably become Fox Sports 2. Sure it will still air UEFA matches and maybe SPL and Eredivsie, but I doubt they'll actively seek out smaller soccer leagues to broadcast.
Any wagers on how long into the 2013-14 season that we hear of or see local NBC affiliates tape-delay or pass on EPL matches on Saturday or Sunday AM on NBC?
I don't think they will show any on Saturday or Sunday AM (at least in the east). The Saturday 12:30pm ET window might have more first pick matches associated with it next year now that Sky has it. I'm guessing NBC will choose 18-20 matches from the 28-30 that will air there. Having said that, I'm sure some affilates will pre-empt some of the matches.
A thought occurs to me: What is going on with mun2 and HD? This would be a good opportunity for me to start pestering TWC about adding the HD channel to the lineup. I never had reason to before. These are interesting days ahead for association football in the US of A. First, the shock entry of beIN to the marketplace, snatching up content from the likes of FSC and GolTV, along with the series of controversies that come with any new competitor. Now, NBCU snatching the EPL (along with part of the MLS package) right under the noses of Fox. Not to mention ESPN and Univision losing the World Cup rights to Fox and Telemundo after 2014. To steal a quote from baseball: sometimes you can't tell who the players are without a scorecard. Official press release: http://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/sports/nbcsports/pressreleases?pr=contents/press-releases/2012/10/28/nbcsportsgroupa1351468802232.xml
How about it going back to Fox Sports World? Since they already carry Rugby, and international darts. Also they could re add Australian league football back into the schedule and how about adding international baseball from Japan and other sports which will probably happen as they already are showing international sports. I see: Fox Sports World Fox Sports World Plus in a year. I don't think Fox is going to let Fox Soccer plus go away without giving a new life with international sports.
ratings are down on fox soccer for epl this season they said it them selfs epl peaked fox knows it and now it is in downward spiral. pay 3x as much please they paid same or little more and epl picked nbc because it is national tv channel and not like fox pay channel
I think Fox Soccer will now look into buying GolTV immediately, that way the channel gets a lifeline in the Bundesliga for the network. A lot of people are fans of German soccer and the league I think is #3 in the world easily. Also with them losing the EPL next year, they can easily add the packages of GolTV to Fox Soccer and Fox Soccer Plus, as well as Fox Deportes. In all this TV contract madness, we all know that GolTV is down for the count and now the lifeline in being sold is right here, right now.
It'll be something similar to foxsoccer2go but available as a package on TV like the ESPN college games or MLS direct kick.
In the fall, those 12:30 matches will work nicely on NBC going against college football on other channels and serving as a lead in to Notre Dame football at 3:00.
There are a few variables that needs to solidify before I pinpoint the timeframe: Notre Dame football schedule. Sunday morning talk shows. Public interest requirements of local TV affiliates, in particular the Mountain and Pacific time zones. A litmus scenario would be how NBC proceeds with Everton/Liverpool and Chelsea/Man U as occurred yesterday. Matches involving clubs of that caliber need as many eyeballs as possible. On the same token, what if an F-1 match was on NBCSN at the same time? I have $250 on 'within two months'.