ESPN Renews UCL Rights thru 2009 - ESPN2 to show 26 matches next season

[BSjanitor]

I boldened some parts of the article.

From Multichannel News "ESPN Gets Kick Out Of UEFA" (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6335537.html):
ESPN2 hopes to score with viewer with its coverage of Barcelona and Arsenal in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League final.

Tuesday, ESPN2 and a number of its sister services scored an expanded renewal deal that will give them a variety of rights with the prestigious club tournament through 2009. ESPN has telecast UEFA Champions League matches around the world since 1994.

As part of the agreement, terms of which were not disclosed, ESPN2 will present at least 26 matches next season, while ESPN Deportes will vastly expand its coverage to at least 77 matches in the 2006-07 campaign.

For the first time, matches will be available on ESPN360, the company’s broadband service, and on ESPNdeportes.com (espndeportes.espn.go.com) and ESPNsoccernet.com (soccernet.espn.go.com).
read more... (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6335537.html)


So, ESPN2 will have 2 matches per matchday (2 x 12), the final (+1) = 25... and they'll have to show an additional match? Great news however that works out.

[Globalusation]

Are all of the matches going to be on ESPN 360? Or just the ones they show on ESPN2?

[OldFanatic]

So, looks like Setanta USA will be less important for Champions League coverage in the future. It doesn't say how many of ESPN2 matches will be live (or in HD or both). ESPN Deportes will continue to be a great channel to have for Champions League fans.

[joebloe888]

Are all of the matches going to be on ESPN 360? Or just the ones they show on ESPN2?

ESPN360.com will simulcast the live games on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

Setanta Broadband will simulcast the live games on Setanta Sports USA.

It'll be interesting to see how many of the "26" games planned on ESPN2 will air live.

Setanta Sports USA will get 2 out of the 4 semifinal games live so that will reduce the maximum number of possible live games on ESPN2 from 25 to 23.

The minimum number of live games required on ESPN2 is still 13 games each season.

(ESPN2 aired 20 live games in 2005-2006. A MAC college football game aired on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, while World Baseball Classic prevented Round of 16 2nd Leg from being aired live.)

[PsychedelicCeltic]

ESPN hates soccer!

[Globalusation]

ESPN360.com will simulcast the live games on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

So we get to see ESPN Deportes champion league games on ESPN 360? I'm still kind of confused to how that works and if it's true. If it is that is awesome because I can't get ESPN Deportes here.

[DAGSports]

So we get to see ESPN Deportes champion league games on ESPN 360? I'm still kind of confused to how that works and if it's true. If it is that is awesome because I can't get ESPN Deportes here.
Some cable operators have deals for ESPN 360- you would get it through broadband Internet. Others don't.

[JayRockers!]

So, looks like Setanta USA will be less important for Champions League coverage in the future. It doesn't say how many of ESPN2 matches will be live (or in HD or both). ESPN Deportes will continue to be a great channel to have for Champions League fans.
Not less important. It's still just as important. You have to have both, unless ESPN decides to bring back the 1 and 3am broadcasts.

Thx,

Jay!

[drt2k3]

double the matches espn 2 has to show, pretty good. was this uefa playing hardball or did espn not mind picking up the extras for the usa? out of curiousity, rangers, what's your opinion of the new deal?

[rangers00]

double the matches espn 2 has to show, pretty good. was this uefa playing hardball or did espn not mind picking up the extras for the usa? out of curiousity, rangers, what's your opinion of the new deal?

The new deal is not much different from this current year, about 2 games/MD.

And you'll have the usual whiners who will not stop whining until ESPN2 shows 70 games ...

[joebloe888]

double the matches espn 2 has to show, pretty good. was this uefa playing hardball or did espn not mind picking up the extras for the usa? out of curiousity, rangers, what's your opinion of the new deal?

NOT TRUE.

ESPN2 only has to show 13 games live each season. Same as the last contract.

ESPN2 can show more than 13 games live but doesn't have to.

ESPN Deportes will show 77 games, with up to 25 live. Same as the last contract.

Setanta Sports USA gets 2 out of 4 semifinal games. Again, same as the last sublicense deal.

The only major differences:

1. ESPN360.com will simulcast live games that air on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. ESPN360.com is currently only available via selected cable operators and is not available directly to consumers.

2. Setanta Broadband will simulcast live games that air on Setanta Sports USA. Setanta Broadband is available directly to consumers.

3. Setanta Sports USA will get the 2nd pick instead of the 3rd pick of live games. ESPN Deportes will get the 3rd pick if a 3rd game is available.

One would expect Setanta Sports USA to get a lot more games involving English teams next season if ESPN2 were to pick Barcelona games most of the time.

[Visca...]

good news.

[Visca...]

NOT TRUE.

ESPN2 only has to show 13 games live each season. Same as the last contract.

ESPN2 can show more than 13 games live but doesn't have to.

so the other 13 are gonna be shown delayed? :rolleyes:

It's gonna be like it was this year. Most of them are gonna be LIVE.

Count March Madness, World Baseball Classic (if it comes back) and maybe a schedule "mistake" here and there. The most games that could get delayed should be around 5.

[MasterShake29]

No WBC next year, it's not an annual thing. I think the next one is 2009.

[joebloe888]

so the other 13 are gonna be shown delayed? :rolleyes:

It's gonna be like it was this year. Most of them are gonna be LIVE.

Count March Madness, World Baseball Classic (if it comes back) and maybe a schedule "mistake" here and there. The most games that could get delayed should be around 5.

I don't know where that "26" number came from.

I don't believe the number "26" is in the contract.

My source said the contractual requirement is "13" live games on ESPN2, which is the same requirement as the last contract.

The only big differences are:

1) broadband simulcast (though ESPN360.com isn't exactly easy to get); and

2) Setanta Sports USA getting the 2nd pick of live games each day behind ESPN2, which practically guarantees that either an English team (Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal), Barcelona, or Real Madrid will show up live on Setanta Sports USA.

(If ESPN2 were NOT to air a live game on a particular day, then Setanta Sports USA would get the first pick. ESPN Deportes will get to pick after Setanta Sports USA.)

[DAGSports]

I'd be surprised if ESPN doesn't pick Man U, Real Madrid, or Liverpool every time. Those teams definitely have bigger fanbases in this country than anyone else (among European teams). Chelsea and Arsenal are good bets for Setanta.

[Eastern Bear]

I'd be surprised if ESPN doesn't pick Man U, Real Madrid, or Liverpool every time. Those teams definitely have bigger fanbases in this country than anyone else (among European teams). Chelsea and Arsenal are good bets for Setanta.

ESPN doesn't advertise on "that" website though.

[clinevol98]

ESPN hates soccer!
if espn really hates soccer, why would they broadcast 25 ucl games? they are finally starting to realize that soccer may be profitable for them. as soccer becomes more profitable for them, mls or european, they will show more games. it's all about money.

[BocaFan]

if espn really hates soccer, why would they broadcast 25 ucl games? they are finally starting to realize that soccer may be profitable for them. as soccer becomes more profitable for them, mls or european, they will show more games. it's all about money.

I think he was being funny.


Count March Madness, World Baseball Classic (if it comes back) and maybe a schedule "mistake" here and there. The most games that could get delayed should be around 5.

Nope, we don't have to live with the World Baseball Classic for the next 3-4 years at least.

[clinevol98]

I think he was being funny.
nope. what else would explain the fact that they are expanding the ucl coverage?

i have a question to all of you who hate espn: where would soccer's popularity in the US be without espn's coverage of it?