World Cup to be shown on US TV

Discussion in 'Rugby & Aussie Rules' started by the shelts, Aug 26, 2007.

  1. the shelts

    the shelts Member+

    Jun 30, 2005
    Providence RI
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Well whilst we all know about Setanta and channel 404 on Dish as well as Direct TV a cable company has recently stepped up to the plate.

    Yes our old friends at VS (Versus Network) who show NHL, tour de France and Professional Bullfighting will show the IRB World Cup on a 2 day delay.

    For what ever reason this has been hard to come across information. I first found a link to VS on the USA Rugby.org page and they speak about a show called Rugger.

    Then today watching USA vs Munster there was an advertisement for VS to watch all the RWC action starting Sept 9th. It appeared to me to be the same as last RWC when Setanta and PPV showed the games live and 3 days later Fox Soccer Channel (then Fox Sports World) showed the games on delay.

    Better than nothing. I'm just hoping they show the full games rather than a highlights show. I will give VS credit. They do show NHL games well and the Tour de France coverage is excellent. They certainly are not bogged down with "human interest vignettes" that we see on the Olympics a'la NBC.
     
  2. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Shelts, thank for the great news. I was pondering shelling out for Satan ooops Setanta broadband coverage (my cable company doesn't carry Setanta) but as I'll have to watch most games on delay due to work a 72 hour delay ain't that bad and I did the same last RWC (except for the 5 days I was in England during the last RWC so saw some live on the Beeb). VS does do good coverage of the Tour as a rule but lets hope they show full games and not cut away for ads.

    I just retuned from the USA Munster game. Wasn't the best game ever but had some good moments and great to see some pro rugger in the Chicago area. The crowd of over 8,600 was a nice surprise and wasn't just ex-pats (such as myself!!!) more American's are getting into the game

    Cheers and if you hear more on VS coverage please post and also even better PM me.

    Ian, Chicagoland
     
  3. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
  4. the shelts

    the shelts Member+

    Jun 30, 2005
    Providence RI
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Hey thats a great link IJS.

    I don't know what big f*^%& secret is with VS. I mean promote it a little better than this. If I was a apart of USA Rugby I'd be bashing heads together to put an article up. 3 USA games in 30 days on a national channel and there is hardly a peep. Just a link and some detective work in store for the viewer.

    Its too bad about the lack of games too. I wanted to see all the Canadian matches as well. The only other thing I can think of (short of shelling out to setanta.com) is FOx Soccer Channel carries the nightly feed of Sky Sports Report and we can get some highlights.

    ESPNU carried the Munster vs USA game too. They had some guy I've never heard of, which in the small world that is USA rugby is impressive, and Gareth Rees the former Canadian captain doing the commentary. They indicated there was 12000 in attendance but looked a bit much, I'd believe your 8600 figure.
     
  5. Makandal

    Makandal Member

    Apr 21, 2007
    Cambridge, MA (USA)
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    Haiti
    Thanks for the info! Here I was hoping any other channel than Setanta would show the games and my prayers have been answered. I'm just starting to get into Rugby and I enjoy watching the multi coverage on Setanta (free preview this month on Dish Network) of both RU and RL.
     
  6. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
  7. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Mediazone are showing games on a 24 hour delay via the internetper an ad in the August (20th) Rugby magazine, the RWC issue, that I picked up for free yesterday. They list www.rugbyworldcup.com and rugbyworldcupvideo.com in two ads. I have not looked at either for ful details or if both sites are right (strange that'd have two) A list price is $49.99. I'll have to check out al the options later besides those we know. Mediazone carries via the net lot of down under rugger www.rugby.mediazone.com and one of their pundits is Matt "Brownie" Brown who was on FSC back in the days when they carried rugby.
     
  8. the shelts

    the shelts Member+

    Jun 30, 2005
    Providence RI
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    I don't know the man or anything but I heard that guy Brownie fell on hard times after Fox Sports World changed formats to Fox Soccer Channel. He tried to get the rugby channel off the ground and couldn't and does some work for mediazone.

    But the last I heard is he was in Missoula Montana doing construction work.

    The other thing that is puzzling about the VS. schedule are the times. I mean if the games are on from 5-7pm it can't be live in France as that is 11pm-1am over there, why not put the games on at a better time?

    On the other hand I guess its obvious with failed channels and odd starts time delayed that so far it is impossible to make money in the US showing rugby on free TV.
     
  9. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    The times are due to the coverage delay. Thought it was a 48 hour delay (72 at FSC had 4 years ago) but looks like it is around 24-48 hours depending on game. Check out the dates vs the schedule; then they fitted them in around the hunting!!!

    Versus are showing the following games: (per their website)

    9/9/2007 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm France vs Argentina (9/7 game date)
    9/10/2007 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm USA vs England (9/8)
    9/13/2007 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm USA vs Tonga (9/12)
    9/16/2007 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm England vs South Africa (9/14)
    9/23/2007 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm France vs Ireland (9/21)
    9/24/2007 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Scotland vs New Zealand (9/23)
    9/27/2007 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Samoa vs USA (9/26)
     
  10. the shelts

    the shelts Member+

    Jun 30, 2005
    Providence RI
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Ya good point.

    I looked around Sirius Satelitte radio and they don't seem to be doing anything either. Its gonna be the BBC.co.uk gametracker for me and the odd trip to the Irish pub at Twin Rivers casino who will show it.
     
  11. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Shelts
    Currently watching World track and field on VS (yeah as well as soccer, rugby I watch/do running) and they ahve had a number of commericals for their RWC coverage. I also got an email from USA Rugby, pasted below. Hope USA has a good showing to get more coverage here although I'll be cheering on my home country in the first USA game.

    Cheers

    USA Rugby Announces Where Eagles Fans Can Watch the 2007 Rugby World Cup



    In just one week, the highly-anticipated 2007 Rugby World Cup will take over France as the world’s elite rugby squads battle for the coveted Webb Ellis Cup. For USA Rugby fans not making the trans-Atlantic trek to catch all of the action live, Setanta Sports and VERSUS Cable TV network will offer a variety of viewing options.



    Setanta Sports North America will be the exclusive LIVE online broadcaster of the 2007 iRB Rugby World Cup, made available via Setanta’s innovative broadband service. To witness every play, rugby fans can pre-order Setanta broadband’s “Tournament Ticket” for just $119.99 at www.setanta.com.



    Setanta broadband will exclusively carry LIVE online coverage of all 48 matches of the event, complete with original in-country commentating, pre- and post-match analysis, and half-time programming. Additional match options are also available for player interviews and other behind-the-scenes extras.



    Coverage begins when host nation France faces Argentina at the Stade de France on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007 , in Group D and England defends the Webb Ellis Cup against the United States in Lens on Sept. 10. Rugby heavyweights New Zealand will perform the famous “Haka” war dance before Pool C competition commences against Italy on Sept. 8.



    Setanta Sports’ will also air delayed televised RWC matches, previews and tournament highlights via DIRECTV, Dish Network, itvn and Globecast World TV, with some restrictions.



    VERSUS will be the exclusive national cable broadcaster of the 2007 Rugby World Cup Sept. 9 – Oct. 21 and will air 11 marquee matches, including all four of the USA matches, the Quarterfinals, Semi-finals and Finals. All matches will be shown on tape delay, commencing on Sept. 9 with the Argentina vs. France match, two days after the event happens live.



    The USA Eagle’s Sept. 8th match against England will air on Sept. 10, while USA vs. Tonga will be shown Sept. 13 and USA vs. Samoa on Sept. 27. VERSUS will also broadcast the Group A match between England and South Africa on Sept. 16 and Scotland vs. New Zealand on Sept. 24.



    For complete Rugby World Cup broadcast schedules and more information about how to order coverage, please visit www.setanta.com or www.versus.com.
     
  12. the shelts

    the shelts Member+

    Jun 30, 2005
    Providence RI
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Great news IJS. thanks.

    Nightly highlights can also be found on Fox Soccer Channel when they show Sky Sports News and the CNNinternational (different than CNN) World Sport Report.
     
  13. Bluto11

    Bluto11 The sky is falling!

    May 16, 2003
    Chicago, IL
    i'm kinda pissed that in order to watch the live matches at my local non-american sports watering hole I have to pay $20. don't think i'll get to watch much since I don't have the funds for that.
     
  14. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    I agree but sadly short of delay on Versus not much we can do. If broke i'd suggest checking the calendar for a day that has a number of games and even some EPL and make a long morning session of it. Did that once (and only once) and saw 3 Six Nations games and then an EPL game at Segdwicks for only $20(noticed you are in Chicago) one year. Not sure if Segdwicks is still showing games but check The Globe or Fado listings. Thinkin of doing similar depending on work schedule
     
  15. Bluto11

    Bluto11 The sky is falling!

    May 16, 2003
    Chicago, IL
    I'm usually at The Globe, and I'm definetly going to check out the schedule to see if I can get multiple matches in for one fee. Watched the Carling Cup final a few years ago (Liverpool/Chelsea) and England/Ireland in the 6 Nations for the same $20, so that was ok.

    I actually live closer to Sedgewick's now, but I used to live across the street from The Globe and love going there, so that is where I'm headed. As far as I know Sedgewick's still shows football, not sure about Rugby.
     
  16. PsychedelicCeltic

    PsychedelicCeltic New Member

    Dec 10, 2003
    San Francisco/London
    They surely can't be showing every game for $20, Bluto, since most games are on Setanta's TV channel. The biggies I'm sure they make you pay for.

    Not the first time sadly. I've come across Versus and seen the odd IRB Sevens highlights. If I had known, I'd have watched, since I have digital cable and I get counted in Nielsens or some other ratings system.

    IRT Matt Brown, I semi-sort-of know him (a long-ago friend of mine was also his friend) and I don't think he's fallen on hard times per se. FSW didn't really pay so if he's fallen on hard times it's independent of FSW. In fact I think he's a tradesman of some sort, though I don't know what. I think he's from Montana as well.
     
  17. Bluto11

    Bluto11 The sky is falling!

    May 16, 2003
    Chicago, IL
    here is their schedule

    http://www.theglobepub.com/tv.shtml

    scroll down to the bottom to see the RWC listings. anything with an S next to it is $20. it looks like most (but not all) the group matches with a big team are $20 and the every knockout game.

    i think it is any match that is live on the PPV channel is $20, if it is shown live on the regular Setanta USA channel then it isn't $20. so if you have to pay extra at home to watch it you have to pay at the bar.
     
  18. PsychedelicCeltic

    PsychedelicCeltic New Member

    Dec 10, 2003
    San Francisco/London
    There's still plenty of good games there, you big girl. ;)
     
  19. the shelts

    the shelts Member+

    Jun 30, 2005
    Providence RI
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    I called Fado's Irish Pub in the Twin River Casino who are showing all the World Cup games, most games involving the "big 8" teams (but not Argentina) they are having to charge a 20 dollar cover to get in. Now they throw in beef stew and a pint of Guiness when charging but they said its out of their control.

    PPV has the Aus-JPN game and NZ-Ita for 24.95 each.

    Setanta will allow some games for free viewing but they have to charge due to contractual obligations.

    I'm happy VS is showing something, anything. I was trying to see if a slingbox would work at my mother-in-laws place in Harlow for me but couldn't find the answer if a slingbox would work.

    Oh well, its off to Fado I go....
     
  20. Anyone has a URL for a podcast?
     
  21. Flyin Ryan

    Flyin Ryan Member

    May 13, 2004
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Watched my tape of France-Argentina I DVR'd.

    Versus picked up a feed from a foreign network and played it. No acknowledgement of who it was or that it was being played on Versus by the commentators. So Versus are buying some tapes. I think it was a British network based on the main commentator's accent, which was not heavy. Don't even know the announcer's name, the color guy was a former All Black named Simon Mattocks or Simon Maddox or something like that. Was wondering where the coverage is coming from but I cannot tell you.

    The tape started a minute or so before the national anthems. At dead spots (after points or injury breaks), they broke to commercials and came back without missing any of the game. So the whole game was shown. They also cut out all of halftime (going to commercial at the end of the first half and coming back the teams were running out for the second half).
     
  22. the shelts

    the shelts Member+

    Jun 30, 2005
    Providence RI
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Good Point Flyin Ryan.

    I;ll give full props to Versus. That was great.

    When they do Tour de France we see informed commentary, Bob Roll actually rode the race 2 times.

    When they do NHL they have Bill Clement, Brian Engblom and Keith Jones who all played in the NHL and all came over from ESPN or TSN. During the playoffs if they have back to back games the 2nd game will be a feed from Hockey Night in Canada.

    When they do America's Cup they had a former skipper of a US boat doing the commentary.

    They either get a true expert or bring the feed right from a true expert. This is in DIRECT contrast to ESPNU who shows USA games normally and did the USA vs Munster game. What a f_______ amateur night production that was. With the exception of Gareth Rees who played for Canada in 3 World Cups doing the color commentary, the commentator was abysmal and the half time and sideline girl was cute but this must have been her first ever broadcast, she was nervous and amateur.
     
  23. PsychedelicCeltic

    PsychedelicCeltic New Member

    Dec 10, 2003
    San Francisco/London
    Simon Mannix was the commentator, he was an ex-All Black.

    I believe this is the international feed that is the stock feed or something like that. We need an Oliver for rugby.
     
  24. Flyin Ryan

    Flyin Ryan Member

    May 13, 2004
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Who's Oliver?
     
  25. HardHatMike

    HardHatMike DOOOOOOOOM!

    Traktor Nebraska
    Aug 31, 2005
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    USA-Tonga on Versus right now. The good thing about rugby not being big here is that you can insulate yourself. This game was played 2 days ago and I've successfully been able to not find out who won. It's almost as good as being live.

    [result]And Tonga have a fecking try only a minute into it. Damn! Come on, Eagles! They ain't exactly the All Blacks here...[/result]
     

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