I've mentioned it before, he spends less time doing the play by play and more time trying to turn it into a storyline. It's like the complete opposite of JP - who would call out every single thing that happened like he was on radio. you don't need an XBox, but yes - the sucky part of ESPN3 is that you need the golden ticket in order to use. I had a giant ESPN3 FAIL during the WWC Final. Had to engage the cone of silence and watch it when I got home - and my DVR ate up 10 minutes of the extra time.
I agree, though I suspect it's less Darke's own doing than a dictate from above. (Or at the very least, he's doing it because he assumes it's the ESPN way.) It's a shame. I think that spare, urgent commentating style that's natural to Darke could go a long way to conveying the sport's tension and excitement. It can show American viewers that those midfield passing sequences aren't just some extraneous part of the game, but are in fact a crucial part of the drama and build-up. When U.S. commentators ignore that to just chat about other stuff, they're missing a chance to bring viewers into the rhythm and energy of the game.
Worst part is when the games ARE NOT REPEATED on ESPN3. The "live only" Monday game on days where I used to tape a game and watch it when I got home are killing me. Or rather killing them, since I'm not exposed to the ESPN brand or their advertising for 2 hours that I would have been. Thx, Jay!
I presume this is due to their contractual arrangement with FOX. Not sure why they wouldn't archive it like they do everything else otherwise.
I don’t think ESPN 3 is on PS 3 I just got a gaming system and when I was doing my research I did not see that it was on Ps3 I think it’s only for Xbox.
I hadn't realized that they didn't/couldn't archive the EPL games they don't show on TV. All the more reason they should broadcast this on some channel somewhere so people can record it. yeah - it's only on XBox or computer providing you have the right ISP. What's funny is the WatchESPN app for Android won't work even on WiFi with the right ISP if you don't select the right mobile network. Found that out when trying to watch one of the USMNT games on my Wi-Fi-only tablet.
Must be a mistake - they are showing Liverpool/Fulham today? Not Manchester United? Not Manchester City? Not Arsenal? What happened? No College Football Live? No PrimeTime? No NFL Live? No SportsNation? Not showing Belmont versus Memphis in College Basketball?
Liverpool still have cache, even if they haven't finished high up the table in a couple years. College Football Live aired from 2:30 - 3:00 ET.
?? Liverpool is probably the second biggest PL brand in America. That's why the game was shown. Also because it was the only one on.
Despite it being the only one on, they don't show all the Monday games. I think that's what the OP was referring to. Thx, Jay!
Only 5 PL brands can draw enough viewers to justify being on ESPN2 (U.S.) on Mondays: Manchester United Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal Manchester City (added this season) The rest (starting of Tottenham) don't. Chelsea bought it way into the "Big 4" not too long ago, displacing Newcastle. Which club will Man City displace from the "Big 4"? If Liverpool doesn't build a new stadium soon...
They are re-airing Poland versus Russia? Really! It wasn't that great of a game. I guess there isn't anything else they could have shown tonight?
solely filler material, they aren't making a habit of re-airing other games, tonight it's WNBA on espn2.
I give ESPN a lot of schtick for not airing US road games - not airing World Cup Qualifiers. Putting games on ESPN3 and not tv. Thanks for putting France/Spain on today.
So I thought ESPN could make money on a big four club playing on Monday? Happy they put WBA/Southhampton on, but it makes no sense.
I realize this is old, but just in case the misinformation still exists..... There was no change which removed free networks. You can still get ABC, Fox and maybe 20+ other channels for free (in HD!) with a simple coat hanger (although you may get better results with a dedicated antenna). What changed was that TVs build before 2005 or so need an adapter to view most of the channels. All new TVs since about 2006 do not need an adapter. If you have an old TV, you can get an adapter online, but you wont get HD. The free HD is superior to HD you get from cable because theres no bandwidth limitation.
It makes perfect sense, there is a EPL game on - ESPN aired it. ESPN doesn't control the epl schedule and choose which teams play on Monday night.
Yes, but ESPN didn't air all the monday night games last season. They put more than a few on ESPN3 only. Thx, Jay!