Reading FC and FSC

[Henry Porter]

Due to their being to of the US Men on the squad, will FSC be more likely to show Readings game or do they not have that flexibility?

[DAGSports]

Not really likely, as there seems to be a substantial disconnect between EPL and USMNT fans. But we will probably see a fair number of games if Reading doesn't always play at 10:00 on Saturdays.

[Henry Porter]

That's what I had thought. I'm really looking forward to supporting the squad as they fight to stay up.

[Sachsen]

Not really likely, as there seems to be a substantial disconnect between EPL and USMNT fans. But we will probably see a fair number of games if Reading doesn't always play at 10:00 on Saturdays.

That may be, but it seems like there sure were a lot of Fulham games on FSC this past season. Hopefully more of the same will continue.

[eric515]

FSC seems to do a pretty good job of spreadin' the love around.

Since EPL teams have a decent amount of weeknight games, I'm sure we'll get plenty o' Reading.

[TarheelJTK]

I think we'll get a large amount of Reading games next season. FSC will always have room for games involving low/middle table teams because of the amount of games they show. I would think that when it comes to scheduling the 3 pm EST Saturday game on delay and they have a choice between a Reading game and say a Charlton game (no offense to any Charlton fans, just using them as an example of a mid table team) that they would take into consideration the USMNT aspect.

[Pints]

FSC will sometimes re-air one of the 10am games in the 12pm or 3pm slot no?
If Reading is next season's Wigan there'll be plenty of the Mark n Bobby show.

I'm looking forward to the Rovers/Reading matchups next season myself.

[Pints]

I think we'll get a large amount of Reading games next season. FSC will always have room for games involving low/middle table teams because of the amount of games they show. I would think that when it comes to scheduling the 3 pm EST Saturday game on delay and they have a choice between a Reading game and say a Charlton game (no offense to any Charlton fans, just using them as an example of a mid table team) that they would take into consideration the USMNT aspect.


I think they woudl be more concerned with the Newly promoted than the US team aspect. Otherwise I compteley agree with your post.

[joebloe888]

FSC will sometimes re-air one of the 10am games in the 12pm or 3pm slot no?
If Reading is next season's Wigan there'll be plenty of the Mark n Bobby show.

I'm looking forward to the Rovers/Reading matchups next season myself.

I understand that FSC is considering a number of options, including sublicensing some EPL games to another media outfit during the final season (2006-2007) of the current TV contract, as it prepares for life without total US TV exclusivity in 2007-2008.

We'll know how everything will shake down by July.

I do know for certain that FSC will NOT have the French League in 2006-2007. FSC chose not to roll over its year-to-year agreement with TWI.

The return of the Bundesliga to FSC is also in doubt as the asking price for the US TV rights fee has gone up dramatically.

The La Liga US TV rights tender will be very interesting. With FSC apparently chopping products in order to build its war chest, could FSC also toss its hat into the ring? We know that GolTV will likely have to go to war against ESPN.

[Pints]

The La Liga US TV rights tender will be very interesting. With FSC apparently chopping products in order to build its war chest, could FSC also toss its hat into the ring? We know that GolTV will likely have to go to war against ESPN.

What do you know for certain about La Liga's coverage next season and possibly beyond. I haven't paid enough attention and am interested in what I will be able to catch next year.

[joebloe888]

What do you know for certain about La Liga's coverage next season and possibly beyond. I haven't paid enough attention and am interested in what I will be able to catch next year.

GolTV is the incumbent in the US and Canada, while ESPN is the incumbent in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. Those contracts will expire at the end of the 2005-2006 season.

There is bizz that ESPN may put in a big bid for the US and Canadian TV rights to La Liga in order for ESPN to 1) have another product for ESPN Deportes US and the proposed ESPN Deportes Canada (in partnership with
TeleLatino Network if an agreement can be reached) and 2) to exact some revenge against GolTV for losing the Latin America/Caribbean TV rights to the SportFive Serie A package last year.

As for FSC: it will have to decide whether it wants a slice of La Liga. FSC has already decided to give up the French League and the return of the German Bundesliga is in serious doubt.

Because the Serie A has lost almost all credibility among English-language viewers around the world with the match-fixing scandal, the Serie A isn't exactly a product that will drive subscribers to any English-language soccer channel in the US for the next year or two.

[texgator]

I do know for certain that FSC will NOT have the French League in 2006-2007. FSC chose not to roll over its year-to-year agreement with TWI.

The return of the Bundesliga to FSC is also in doubt as the asking price for the US TV rights fee has gone up dramatically.
Hmmmmm....why does this sound eerily familiar. Remember what happened last time you made these proclamations, Oliver?

[joebloe888]

Hmmmmm....why does this sound eerily familiar. Remember what happened last time you made these proclamations...

I know exactly which TV outfits TWI is trying to sell the US/Canadian French League package after FOX dumped it like a bad habit. (Obviously, I won't post the identity of the outlets being pitched by TWI.)

--

I have been tracking the German Bundesliga US/Canadian TV rights situation for months.

The first round of tender process, which is being conducted by San Francisco-based media consultant Jeremy Korer, is supposed to close on May 26.

The Bundesliga wants A LOT more money for the next US/Canadian English-language TV contract.

Korer issued a statement to UK-based sports business website SportCal.com that he has allegedly heard from 25 media companies in the US that "expressed interest".

That statement from Korer obviously didn't pass my smell test.

[DAGSports]

I know exactly which TV outfits TWI is trying to sell the US/Canadian French League package after FOX dumped it like a bad habit. (Obviously, I won't post the identity of the outlets being pitched by TWI.)

--

I have been tracking the German Bundesliga US/Canadian TV rights situation for months.

The first round of tender process, which is being conducted by San Francisco-based media consultant Jeremy Korer, is supposed to close on May 26.

The Bundesliga wants A LOT more money for the next US/Canadian English-language TV contract.

Korer issued a statement to UK-based sports business website SportCal.com that he has allegedly heard from 25 media companies in the US that "expressed interest".

That statement from Korer obviously didn't pass my smell test.
What would Gol TV and Setanta be doing talking to TWI about Ligue 1? One can argue that it might now be the equal of Serie A in some ways, but it marginally fits Gol TV because many Brazilian stars do or used to play in Ligue 1. I don't see any fit with Setanta.

As for the Bundesliga, I've seen threads on this on other boards. Oliver seems to be correct so far... Setanta might have interest, but nobody's gonna pay the $2 million plus I've heard quoted for TV rights. That's pretty ridiculous, considering the ratings obviously weren't good enough for FSC to want exclusive rights over the past two seasons.

FSC might be wise to get La Liga, provided they can get at least one of the major teams. They are going to have to fill a few timeslots if Setanta is indeed carrying some of the EPL games in the future.

La Liga is definitely more sellable than Ligue 1 or Serie A, as Gol TV's substantial increase in carriage since acquiring the product attests.

[joebloe888]

What would Gol TV and Setanta be doing talking to TWI about Ligue 1? One can argue that it might now be the equal of Serie A in some ways, but it marginally fits Gol TV because many Brazilian stars do or used to play in Ligue 1. I don't see any fit with Setanta.

As for the Bundesliga, I've seen threads on this on other boards. Setanta might have interest, but nobody's gonna pay the $2 million plus I've heard quoted for TV rights. That's pretty ridiculous, considering the ratings obviously weren't good enough for FSC to want exclusive rights over the past two seasons.

FSC might be wise to get La Liga, provided they can get at least one of the major teams. They are going to have to fill a few timeslots if Setanta is indeed carrying some of the EPL games in the future.

La Liga is definitely more sellable than Ligue 1 or Serie A, as Gol TV's substantial increase in carriage since acquiring the product attests.

We'll have to see how the dominoes will fall. We'll know by late July.

If ESPN were to snatch La Liga from GolTV, then I can see GolTV getting US/Canadian TV rights to Ligue 1. GolTV Latin America carried Ligue 1 this past season so there is a "synergy" element.

If ESPN were to get La Liga, then ESPN would need to sublicense the English-language US TV rights to one or two other media companies. Both Setanta and FSC would be obvious candidates. ESPN has no need for US English-language rights to La Liga, which would work reasonably well on ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com in Spanish only.

(Let's see who ends up buying the US/Canadian right to the "Barca TV" block now that Barca is the reigning European Cup holder.)

I can't see anyone bidding $2 million a year for US/Canadian English-language TV rights to the Bundesliga when ProSiebenSat.1 Welt is expected to get the German-language rights pretty much by default (now that Deutsche Welle has shut down German TV, which was ProSiebenSat.1 Welt's only competitor).

Heck, I can't come up with a financial model to justify paying $1 million a year, much less $2 million.

The Bundesliga just isn't a subscription driver for any English-language or Spanish-language sports TV network in the US or Canada.

Few if anyone would miss Serie A on TV in English or Spanish in the US or Canada at this point in time. The product has no credibility left now that we know that Juventus basically bought the last two scudettos.

[Anteaters FC]

Yes, and there was absolutely no hint that Juventus (or any other big clubs) were favored in the past...:rolleyes:

If anything, if there are significant punishments meted out against Juventus or any other big clubs for corruption, Serie A would be more interesting next year to see if any other clubs could crack the top of the table.

[joebloe888]

Yes, and there was absolutely no hint that Juventus (or any other big clubs) were favored in the past...:rolleyes:

If anything, if there are significant punishments meted out against Juventus or any other big clubs for corruption, Serie A would be more interesting next year to see if any other clubs could crack the top of the table.

I just can't see the FIGC having the "cajones" to demote Juventus (and possibly AC Milan and Fiorentina which are also under investigation for match fixing) to Serie C1.

Viewers outside Italy tune in to watch the brand-name teams play with brand-name players. They can care less about the little teams. It's all about the brand names.

The "big 3" of Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter bring in the big TV rights fees outside Italy. If Juve were to be demoted to Serie C1, TV outfits around the world would demand significant rights fee reductions. That would be bad news for the rest of the Serie A clubs.

It was easy for the FIGC to make an example of Genoa last year by demoting Genoa to Serie C1.

Juventus is another matter, especially we now know that the FIGC was involved in the match-fixing process.

[blackjack]

No French League?

No MLS?

What are you thinking, FSC? You think we'd rather watch Charlton-Newcastle for the fourth time in one week than watch Lyon-Marseille or something? Jesus Christ they're stupid.

[Anteaters FC]

I just can't see the FIGC having the "cajones" to demote Juventus (and possibly AC Milan and Fiorentina which are also under investigation for match fixing) to Serie C1.

Yes, not Serie C1, but Serie B is looking increasingly possible...Gazzetto and the other papers are talking about the possibility of that happening. If it's something so obvious that it can't be ignored, relegation is certainly possible--it happened with Milan and Lazio in 1980.

[joebloe888]

No French League?

No MLS?

What are you thinking, FSC? You think we'd rather watch Charlton-Newcastle for the fourth time in one week than watch Lyon-Marseille or something? Jesus Christ they're stupid.

FSC is doing what is prudent to try to make a profit given that FSC is now a mature TV network with very little subscriber growth left.

The French League is a filler product that 1) does not drive subscription sales and 2) does not drive advertising sales. Ditto the Bundesliga. Neither product will be a big loss for FSC. TV5Monde has the French League for one more season while ProSiebenSat.1 Welt is expected to do a new 3-year deal for the Bundesliga.

MLS wanted a rights fee, which FSC/FSE doesn't believe it should be paying. Note that MLS hasn't been able to get GolTV to bite on the secondary MLS TV package either. The fact that neither FSC/FSE nor GolTV wanted to pay what MLS wants for it tells me that the secondary package is overpriced.

FSC still has EPL, FA Cup, Argentine 1st Division, Media Partners Serie A package (mostly Lazio home games), 2006 FIFA Club World Championship, 2006 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup/World Cup Qualifying, and AC Milan Channel Classics.

Coupled all those products with an expected bid for the UEFA Cup/UEFA Super Cup "A" package (1st choice matches from the quarterfinal through the final of the UEFA Cup, plus the UEFA Super Cup) through May 2009, and FSC will have more than enough products to drive sports pack subscriptions and advertising sales for the next 12 months.

(FSC/FSE and GolTV would be the two that would likely bid for the UEFA Cup/Super Cup "A" package. There is a "B" package of 2nd-pick quarterfinals and semifinals, as well as various packages for UEFA Cup games prior to the quarterfinal round, which are obviously less desirable than the 6-game "A" package.)

There is no question FSC needs to replenish its coffers in order to bid for the one product that FSC absolutely needs to stay in business: a least a slice (i.e. 20-30%) of the English Premier League during the next 3-year contract cycle of 2007-2008 through 2009-2010.