Why isn't the SPL shown in the US?

[McTide]

I posted a thread on the FSW board with my dream list of leagues that I wished were televised. On the top of my list was the SPL (the name is McTide). What I was told though was shocking. FSW cannot carry any SPL game because Celtic and Ranger supporter clubs have bought the rights and will not let them be shown. What is the logic in that? It seems to me that to increase revenue for the clubs, exposure should be increased. What am I missing?

[Ed NYC Firm]

1 Setanta are scum
2 The SPL couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery .

[denver_mugwamp]

Seems like we had them on FSW last year. I guess it's up to Fox to decide if it's worth the price or not. My guess is that it didn't get as much interest as some of the other leagues shown. One more reason for Rangers and Celtic to join the EPL, I guess. So we can watch them on FSW.

[bkn0528]

at the beginning of the season they mentioned on the FSW Report that the SPL (or was it Setanta? whoever had the rights) had decided to sell the rights to supporters clubs. so you can see the games if you can find a supporters club in your area.

[TAKK]

FOX had the league on a few years ago. They tried promoting it pretty hard. The adverts were on all of the time. They tried a prime time slot in the first year, but ratings were non existent. It was then moved to a late night slot, and if possible, the ratings dropped even further to almost nothing.
I guess that no one cared to watch outside of Celtic or Ranger supporters, and they alone couldn't make it worthwhile. That is why FOX tried the Spanish League experiment, sans Barca and Real, and now the French League. These are the slot replacements and they both did MUCH better than the SPL. Problem is FIFA will never allow both clubs to enter the EPL. Would just cause chaos everywhere else. Need to find a pub. Sorry, but I don't think your going to be able to catch those matches anywhere else.

[toohyper]

i wanna see FSW bring in some asian games, K-League, J-League, and AFC competition all that crap....but i highly doubt it...

Sad for u but i still get to watch SPL so i got no complaints...

[McTide]

at the beginning of the season they mentioned on the FSW Report that the SPL (or was it Setanta? whoever had the rights) had decided to sell the rights to supporters clubs. so you can see the games if you can find a supporters club in your area.

Unfortunately, the nearest Celtic club that I could find is in Atlanta, 2 1/2 hours away. It seems to me that the way to build support is to publicize the SPL. Keeping broadcasts limited to the supporter clubs is not good business.

[Crowdie]

Television is a business. They broadcast shows to attract people into watching the ads that generate them revenue. If the show is not popular then they get less money for their ads. Obviously in the US the SPL was not popular enough to generate acceptable revenue from the ads.

This is not just a US problem. In New Zealand the MLS is not shown as nobody would watch it. We get English, Scottish, Spanish, Dutch and South American soccer as people want to see it. Not enough Americans here and possibly not enough Scots in the US.

Crowdie

[da_cfo]

Wrong.

Celtic and Rangers games in the SPL on FOX Sports World and fOX Sports World Canada actually attracted TOO MANY viewers to the point where the Celtic and Rangers supporters clubs in the US and Canada were losing paid members.

(Celtic and Rangers were consistent top prime-time draws on FOX Sports World, with more viewers than Manchester United.)

As a result, the Celtic and Rangers supporters clubs demanded TOTAL EXCLUSIVITY when they renewed their TV contracts with Setanta Sport this season. TOTAL EXCLUSIVITY means no one else can air the games, not even via tape delay.

Celtic and Rangers games in the Scottish Premier League will NEVER air on FOX Sports World or FOX Sports World Canada again. There is just too much money involved for the Celtic and Rangers supporters clubs to give up total exclusivity.




FOX had the league on a few years ago. They tried promoting it pretty hard. The adverts were on all of the time. They tried a prime time slot in the first year, but ratings were non existent. It was then moved to a late night slot, and if possible, the ratings dropped even further to almost nothing.
I guess that no one cared to watch outside of Celtic or Ranger supporters, and they alone couldn't make it worthwhile. That is why FOX tried the Spanish League experiment, sans Barca and Real, and now the French League. These are the slot replacements and they both did MUCH better than the SPL. Problem is FIFA will never allow both clubs to enter the EPL. Would just cause chaos everywhere else. Need to find a pub. Sorry, but I don't think your going to be able to catch those matches anywhere else.

[Catfish]

Basically, you have to support either Celtic or Rangers. Then you need to become a member of your local Celtic or Rangers Supporters Club to view the matches live. Sorry to hear that you are so far from your nearest Supporters Club.

[McTide]

yeah, Catfish, it is. I got hoked on Celtic during last year's UEFA Cup run. I loved their defense and how they challanged every ball. I watched SPL last year or taped as many of the games as possible. Now, I cannot see any. I am in the middle of SEC football country; Protestant, but a soccer convert and a Celtic fan. As I posted earlier, there are thousands of newbies looking for a team and a league to follow. It is bad that the "clubs" cannot see that exposure brings in revenue, not hoarding TV rights.

[Catfish]

McTide,

Even if you are a Man Utd fan, welcome to Big Soccer and the insane world of football. We are always here to help feed your addiction. You will learn alot so fasten your seatbelt. Feel free to Pvt Message me anytime with any questions, I won't bite your head off like some BS members did to me when I was new...wink.

One more thing, why don't you support the MLS? The only way the MLS is going to get bigger and better is with increased support. I know this is the Anti-MLS forum...wink, BUT if you want alittle background on each club to help you decide, just ask.

[McTide]

Catfish,
Thanks for the offer to "mentor" a newbie. Lord knows I need it. Kindest words that I ever heard from an Arsenal fan. Why I picked Man U was because of the managers. SAF is a wily old Scott. Wenger...well... too continental for my taste. Not to mention, they dumped Seaman over the summer, which tick me off.

As for the MLS, I keep up with it regurlarly. Picked the Fire as my team because of the play up from with Ralph and Rasov as well as the play in the back. I was worried about defensive lapses this season with the transfers, but 2 clean sheets to start the season is not bad.

I hope to make to your fair city over the summer to catch a Fire game. I was hoping that they would be playing when the Champions World Tour came through. Again, thanks for the insight and kind words.