TV rights in Germany

[FoxBoro 143]

During the tournament, will there be any english coverage, seeing as how I do not speak any german?

[MakingNews]

During the tournament, will there be any english coverage, seeing as how I do not speak any german?

Yeah, I've wondered about this, too. The beauty of the game is it can be understood watching it in any lanuage, but I still learn a lot about players and teams by listening to the broadcasts -- especially as someone who is relatively new to the sport.

[AGF Aarhus]

If you go to an Irish or English pub with an illegal Sky satillite hookup (this is not that uncommon), they will show games in English. The problem is that these places will be absoltely mobbed.

Other than that, everywhere will be showing it in German, as you would expect.

If you are in Berlin you can get the BBC World Service on FM radio (this is not available in other cities), and they will broadcast a lot of the games. What I often do is watch it at home on TV with the sound off and the stereo on.

[AGF Aarhus]

Let me amend what I just wrote.

Since the games are being broadcast on BBC and ITV, an illegal Sky hookup is not needed. This means any pub with a dish pointed at the English satallite rather than the German one can show the games. Also, the German subscription TV package, Premiere may let you switch the English commentary.

This makes it much easier, but the conlcusion remains the same that it will still only be Irish and English pubs that show the games in English.

[Roehl Sybing]

Does anyone know if Armed Forces Radio in Germany will be carrying any kind of radio for the World Cup?

[MikeLastort2]

Just watch the games with German commentators.

I watch games on Spanish language TV even though I don't understand Spanish.

[AGF Aarhus]

Just watch the games with German commentators.

I watch games on Spanish language TV even though I don't understand Spanish.
Obviously. But I agree that it is nicer with English commentary. Not only do you understand more (anything), but even I (who am able to understand the German commentary) much prefer having it in English. In German you have a single commentator. I much prefer the US and British method of having a pbp guy and a color commentator. Personal preference, but I find it more enjoyable to listen to.

[Roehl Sybing]

AFN broadcast the Norway game, thankfully someone Stateside was covering the game on the radio. I just read that XM will cover the World Cup; I hope that too gets carried by AFN.

[dfb547490]

If you go to an Irish or English pub with an illegal Sky satillite hookup (this is not that uncommon), they will show games in English. The problem is that these places will be absoltely mobbed.

Do you think so?? There's only 3 other English-speaking teams in the WC (4?? Ghana??), and based on their schedules and game venues I wouldn't expect many of their fans to be anyplace at the same time as large numbers of US fans.

Of course, the English-language broadcasts might also prove popular as there'll be a lot of people from all over the world there who don't speak German but do speak English.

[roadkit]

Just watch the games with German commentators.

I watch games on Spanish language TV even though I don't understand Spanish.

Same here. I also haven;t been to too many pubs where I could tell what language the commentary was in anyway.

And I've never needed commentary at RFK. ;)

[AGF Aarhus]

Do you think so?? There's only 3 other English-speaking teams in the WC (4?? Ghana??), and based on their schedules and game venues I wouldn't expect many of their fans to be anyplace at the same time as large numbers of US fans.
These places are mobbed anyway, and you can be sure they will be packed to the gills for every match. That doesn't mean I won't be there myself, just telling people what to expect.

Also bear in mind that not every pub calling itself an Irish pub fits this category. In most, the only thing Irish about them is that they happen to serve Guinness. Only places owned and frequented by ex-pats will have English commentary. There are hundres of supposedly Irish pubs in Berlin. I know of two that will show the games in English for sure.

Of course, the English-language broadcasts might also prove popular as there'll be a lot of people from all over the world there who don't speak German but do speak English.
Yes, but keep in mind that not many barkeepers are going to be willing to alienate the 80 million Germans to please the couple million tourists. Very few if any German owned bars will show games in English. I wish it were different, but that is what I predict after having lived here for several years.