Maybe we aren't fans of soccer, just fans of Europe

[ursula]

Today (Saturday) FSC has the vital Russia-Luxemburg and Bulgaria-whoever WCQ's on. Obviously there are better games later today in the UEFA zone, but the fact is that this morning had absolutely intense WCQ games in Africa. But of course we all knew that there was no chance of those games being on TV in the USA....

So figuring that FSC knows what they are doing in choosing what games they can air, I suppose that their viewership isn't particularly interested in the most exciting soccer games, but rather they want to see any Euro game no matter how boring.

[Ismitje]

I know I ignored the Russia-Lux and Bulgaria-Hungary games on FSC, but would've been up early to watch any of those key WCQ from Africa. Even reading about them after their completion is a more exciting proposition than watching what we had to choose from this morning.

[TarheelJTK]

I would've watched any qualifier that actually mattered as opposed to the ones that FSC put on. There were big games in Europe as well just not on FSC. It all comes down to getting contracts, FSC were probably just too cheap to buy the rights to other conference's games.

[suppitty]

A few weeks ago they had the key Romania-Czech Republic qualifier and I thought a corner was being turned, but I guess I was wrong after watching the thrilling game from Moscow this morning.

[OldFanatic]

I think you need to qualify who "we" in your statement is. Does "we" refer to FSC, to the FSC audience, or whom? FSC is too poor.

There are so many good qualifiers right now, I don't have time to see all of them. I'm watching Netherlands - Czech Republic AND Bosnia Herzgovina - San Marino live right now. There is also Belgium - Spain, Italy - Slovenia, Sweden - Croatia, Tunisia - Morocco and on an on and on. I frankly don't have the bandwidth from such a big selection. Yes, it would have been nicer to watch bigger matchups from Africa other than Tunisia - Morocco. But personally, I just don't have that much time. (Of course, don't forget Costa Rica - USA, Mexico - Guatemala later today.)

I think this model of "packaged" TV rights with a single TV channel like FSC is for the 20th century. With On Demand, I think a-la-carte (also known as cheaper PPV) should be the only way going forward.

[Cannon]

I skipped the silly Russian match against "the pointless" and the tape delayed meaningless WCQ they showed after that. I'm watching SUI-FRA and NED-CZE on my computer but I left FSC on in the other room. They actually had the balls to say "welcome to the best of world cup qualifying" for a match between two teams already eliminated. Idiots.

I would gladly have watched any meaningful WCQ instead of those two games. Did FSC get those for free? They can't have generated much viewership. It be nice if "America's soccer channel" showed at least some meaningful games this WCQ weekend. :rolleyes:

[OldFanatic]

Forgot to say, I was able to catch Ecuador - Uruguay, Switzerland - France, and Egypt - Cameroon as well, without having to spend crazy PPV fees. I don't see any crazy obsession with Europe. It's just that the largest number of countries qualifying are out of UEFA, there are many qualifying groups and so matches in the UEFA region. So, this gives an illusion of obsession with Europe.

[The_Sandman]

I modified the thread subject appropriately. Unfortunately, their Wednesday lineup is also a complete waste of time. 5 out of the 6 teams being shown are already out. Whoopee! I'd rather watch 6 hours of nonstop Carleton Sheets and Kevin Trudeau.

[stockmanjr]

TV5 had the tunsia-morocco game..It was a good one abit in french lol