Return Leg to Barbados TV Details Announced

[SabreKhan]

I apologize if this is already posted on one of the other threads, but I thought it deserved its own thread. The return leg qualifier details are up on USSoccer.com:

June 22, 3:00PM Eastern
Kensington Oval (no lights, thus the afternoon start), Barbados
Live coverage on ESPN Classic and Galavision

So now ESPN is giving us the shaft on the WC Qualifiers as well as friendlies against the #1 team in the world. I'll be watching via the internet, as the only guy I know who gets ESPN Classic will be on his honeymoon and I don't know anybody who gets Galavision. He should have planned his honeymoon in Barbados. I guess if I watch via the internet, it frees up my TV to watch the Euro quarterfinals at the same time.

[sidefootsitter]

ESPN is getting excellent ratings from its Euro coverage.

[DoyleG]

Consider yourself lucky that you might even get live coverage.

[Prime Time]

ESPN sucks.

[SabreKhan]

I guess my real beef is: What could possibly be on that will get higher ratings?

ABC has the IRL race. Better ratings.
ESPN has the Euro QF.

The Dos has... the LPGA?!? Seriously?!? If the LPGA gets better ratings than a Nats game, that's just sad. Especially if the Nats lay an egg in the first game and really need the second game (not likely). But even a second leg against a minnow should draw better than the freaking LPGA.

[toddk15]

Even with Bob coaching it should be 5-0, 6-0 on aggregate going into that leg. Not the most compelling television event.

[oldguyfc]

I guess my real beef is: What could possibly be on that will get higher ratings?

ABC has the IRL race. Better ratings.
ESPN has the Euro QF.

The Dos has... the LPGA?!? Seriously?!? If the LPGA gets better ratings than a Nats game, that's just sad. Especially if the Nats lay an egg in the first game and really need the second game (not likely). But even a second leg against a minnow should draw better than the freaking LPGA.

Back in the "90's ESPN2 used to show Dutch League games. (they showed Brazilian games for about 3 weeks, also.)
I couldn't believe when they took the games off and instead of soccer, Sunday mornings featured Women's Billards. Riveting.
I met a VP at ESPN soon after that and I brought that very issue up in the course of the conversation; he had a simple answer, advertisers.
They pay the bill for air time, they base advertising rates on ratings, not passion, unfortunately, and Women's Billards was getting better ratings when it was being shown at other time slots; therefore demanding higher advertising revenue for ESPN, so they decided it was time to ditch Dutch soccer and give us felt tables.
Advertisng rates for ESPN Classic are probably substantially lower than they are for ESPN and ESPN2, the time slots that ESPN knows they can schedule something that will garner higher advertising dollars on those two networks from other programing, they ship soccer to Classic, take their lumps, and move on.
I would just say that it's a lot better than it used to be when it comes to soccer on TV, we used to watch the same English game get repeated for something like a month before we got to see a new one.
Some of you guys are just spoiled.:cool:

[sidefootsitter]

... with Bob coaching, it should be the Empty Bucket for 90 minutes. Not the most compelling television event. FYP for truf.

[giffenbone]

I guess my real beef is: What could possibly be on that will get higher ratings?

ABC has the IRL race. Better ratings.
ESPN has the Euro QF.

The Dos has... the LPGA?!? Seriously?!? If the LPGA gets better ratings than a Nats game, that's just sad. Especially if the Nats lay an egg in the first game and really need the second game (not likely). But even a second leg against a minnow should draw better than the freaking LPGA.


ESPN/ABC is under contract to show them all. The return leg details were announced last minute, ESPN had its hands tied.

They are doing us a favor by showing it live on Classic.

My problem is trying to figure out which one to watch live, and which one to tape (IRL race, Euro cup, or USA game).

[Ringo]

The Dos has... the LPGA?!? Seriously?!? If the LPGA gets better ratings than a Nats game, that's just sad. Especially if the Nats lay an egg in the first game and really need the second game (not likely). But even a second leg against a minnow should draw better than the freaking LPGA.

the LPGA has an existing contract and long-established dates. this game wasn't finalized until just today? what do you expect ESPN to do?
I want it on the Duece as much as anybody (HD, baby) .... but I was expecting a Spanish station or no coverage at all. I count myself fortunate that ESPN picked it up at all.

can't please everybody.

[giffenbone]

How original Ringo ;)

[shinzui]

At least they got a quality stadium for the game, even if it is a cricket stadium. It hosted the Cricket World Cup final last year, and numerous cricket events since so the pitch should be in good shape.

[FW__]

ESPN Classic? My guide says ESPN 2.

[Ringo]

How original Ringo ;)

mine was a bit different. gimmie a break! :D

[Ringo]

ESPN Classic? My guide says ESPN 2.

game 1 on Sunday is on espn2 ... the return leg in barbados is on classic, I believe

[giffenbone]

mine was a bit different. gimmie a break! :D

Yeah, you left out the part about watching the IRL race. I'm probably the only dork on here who cares that much about it.

[Raider Red]

So now ESPN is giving us the shaft on the WC Qualifiers as well as friendlies against the #1 team in the world. I'll be watching via the internet, as the only guy I know who gets ESPN Classic will be on his honeymoon and I don't know anybody who gets Galavision. He should have planned his honeymoon in Barbados. I guess if I watch via the internet, it frees up my TV to watch the Euro quarterfinals at the same time.

You need better friends. Or shell out for a satellite dish.

[Nerazzuri]

I apologize if this is already posted on one of the other threads, but I thought it deserved its own thread. The return leg qualifier details are up on USSoccer.com:

June 22, 3:00PM Eastern
Kensington Oval (no lights, thus the afternoon start), Barbados
Live coverage on ESPN Classic and Galavision

So now ESPN is giving us the shaft on the WC Qualifiers as well as friendlies against the #1 team in the world. I'll be watching via the internet, as the only guy I know who gets ESPN Classic will be on his honeymoon and I don't know anybody who gets Galavision. He should have planned his honeymoon in Barbados. I guess if I watch via the internet, it frees up my TV to watch the Euro quarterfinals at the same time.

Well, be a good friend and offer to water his plants and feed his cat for him. You don't need any money in return, just a key and a fridge full of beer. There you go, now you're watching the game live on ESPN Classic at his place.

[ewheatley]

You need better friends. Or shell out for a satellite dish.

Or call your cable company and upgrade service. To get classic, FSC and a few others, I had to buy the sports package for an additional $2-$5 a month. Comcast...

[PhillyQuakesFan]

the only guy I know who gets ESPN Classic will be on his honeymoon


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