US WCQ Schedule on ESPN/ESPN2/@MEXICO on ESPN & Other Matches

Based on early indications, here is what we are seeing so far on ESPN & ESPN2 as far as the WCQ calendar ..I had mentioned this a few months ago that ESPN will go after the US game @Mexico. Based on ESPN advance Soccer schedule, ESPN has scheduled a WCQ for March 26 on ESPN on prime-time. So, it is pretty safe to assume that ESPN is planning and anticipating to show that game live. There will be more games down the road added to the schedule.

MARCH 22nd
US vs Costa Rica live on ESPN (10:00 PM EST)

March 26th
US vs. Mexico scheduled at 9:00 pm (EST)...
Although, the time has changed to 10:30 pm (EST)...It appears that ESPN will pick-up this game...ESPN is willing to pay the money for this game because it will get record-breaking WCQ ratings for a US game. I'm expecting 1.7-2.2 million viewers for this game. Expect some major hype around this game.

ESPN2 schedule...

FEB 6th

ESPN2 has scheduled a WCQ game on prime-time at 9:30 pm (EST). The heading says WCQ, and the game will be preceded by a 30-minute Studio show under the heading of International soccer Pre-Match.

(As an FY1, ESPN2 will air Germany vs. France friendly at 2:55 pm EST on the same date)

Mexico vs. Jamaica (TBC) ?...The only game that matches that time is the Mexico vs. Jamaica that happens, then it means that ESPN might be willing to go after Mexico WCQ games in English... I doubt this is a typo or just the fact their site was not updated. But, a Mexico WCQ will be the first major showing on a English network.

March 22nd: (European WCQ)
Spain vs. Finland @ 3:55 PM (EST)

March 26th
Spain vs. France @ 3:55 PM (EST)

The rest of the US games will be announced later on with the actual times and network. We know the remaining WCQ home games will be on ESPN/ESPN2....We will see most of them on ESPN. This will be the first time that ESPN is showcasing WCQ over ESPN2.

THE US vs. Mexico home leg will be on ESPN as well. if the races stays tight by fall, expect some 2-2.5 million viewers for the 2nd leg of this match.

Interesting Rumor about the Mexico - Jamaica match being on ESPN. I am sure there are a lot of Jamaicans in New York and Miami who will be happy there might be an English language alternative.
Also the Mexican- American kids who don't speak Spanish.

Indeed, those are your core audiences. But, please note that majority of US Soccer fans will also follow the Mexico games to see who ends-up winning the table. Beside Mexico and US, you have a very good Panama and Honduras team. Jamaica could also be a surprise team. Plus, anyone interested in Soccer will more than likely follow this final round as well ( those who follow the European qualifiers). So, in other words, you will have a good mix of fans watching that game-it will not be just restricted to Mexican-Americans or Jamaicans.

Sure, but also keep in mind many people prefer the excitement of Univision announcers even if they don't speak the language.
I hear people say this during most World Cups so the same may apply.

Actually, during the WC 2010, ESPN took the momentum...ESPN's coverage was superior and it the ratings were higher than Univision. I expect the trend to stay intact for ESPN during WC2014. ESPN is going all in for WC2014. ESPN's ratings will once again outshine Univision.

the keyword is "most world cups"

But when you have something established like Mexican WCQs on Univision going up against something completely new and experimental I Think most people will watch EL tri on Univision.

Good point. The Spanish-speaking audience will stick to Univision. People who don't speak Spanish and those who are tuning in to watch the USA will watch on ESPN. The last few ESPN soccer "events" of World Cups and Euros have been a far, far, far cry above ESPN's soccer coverage from 2002-2006.

Another thing ESPN has going for it is HD. I'd imagine ESPNHD's availability is quite higher than UnivisionHD's is.

You serious, bro?? Univision HD is an OTA channel, so it should be available most places if not everywhere!!

My local Univision affiliate doesn't broadcast in HD/

ESPN2 will have the USA/Canada friendly from Houston on January 29th at 9pm ET.

ESPN2 will have the Mexico/Denmark friendly from Phoenix on January 30th at 10pm ET.

Looks like ESPN is invested in Mexico.
I wonder who they will choose to commentate the matches?

I was hoping NBCSN would somehow get the US-Mexico away match. That'd probably break records for the network if they aired it.

Certainly (although there is wiggle room within the definition of truly "national" broadcast "network," and one that is fully broadcast in HD in all/most major markets), and anyone who wants to can subscribe to pay tv services. But that still doesn't change the fact that someone who watches free OTA tv in the Cleveland, OH market would get a broadcast Univision signal in SD (480i).

My ota Univision is in SD only. Time Warner (in my hood) doesn't carry Univision in HD, sadly. Oh well.

You are talking about that (large pay tv subset of all US TV HHLDs).

But in reality, Univision is available in many, many markets in HD (and free over the air, something that non-broadcast nets cannot claim).

But since so many people pay for tv in the US, it likely is correct that ESPN HD is in more homes than is Univision HD.

The cable ops are only required to re-transmit the local signal.

It appears that my initial assessment is close to being a reality. This paves the way for that Mexico v. Jamaica WCQ being on ESPN2 on Feb 6th...In addition, I'm almost 100% certain that US @ Mexico will be live on ESPN...

Does ESPN Deportes own any Liga MX rights?

Because this represents a major shift toward the Liga MX/Mexican football from the Disney brain trust.

I believe they have had the rights to Liga MX for quite some time now.
Puebla, Cruz Azul, Chiapas, Morelia home matches.

Uh oh, college basketball lead-ins for both. I hope there's no OT.

You'd hope they could put the soccer match(es) on ESPN3 (or somewhere) if/while college basketball runs long.