CNN, HLN, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Adult Swim, TruTV, and TBS. Turner doesn't directly own any broadcast networks, but their parent company TimeWarner, has a 50% stake in the CW... so they could perhaps use that as an outlet for the final if they wanted it on broadcast TV.
I'm just remembering that my very first exposure to the world of football was through Turner for Italia '90. So, I guess things are coming full circle.
AT&T wants to buy the company, yet the TV/internet service (Time Warner Cable) was just bought by Charter and folded into their Spectrum brand. The likely bets are TNT, TBS and TruTV. That's three different games. This is quite a step down from what we have now.
It shouldn't be that complicated. Drop all Turner channels except for TNT and either TBS or truTV. The more interesting part is the final, which these days is scheduled on a Saturday. That makes it possible for an OTA network like CBS to air the game. The lower tier matches could end up being sold off to a third party. Maybe ESPN2 or BeIN Sports could buy a few matches depending on the possible teams. I don't think Fox or NBC would ever buy matches back.
Time Warner has not owned Time Warner Cable for several years. Divested the cable unit and licensed out the name.
Instead of having all games at 2:45 pm eastern, they're moving to having two time windows per match day (as Europa league currently operates), so during the group stage there will only be four games at a time. Those three channels take care of six of the eight games per day during the group stage.
The channels take up six of the eight games only if they show two games each. What if Turner says to themselves something like "we don't know how high the Group Stage ratings are going to be, so to get off to a good start let's show only two games at a time so the audience isn't split up too much"?
This is a shocker. I don't know what to say about the English Language coverage other than I hope they strike up a deal similar to the current one with ESPN3 so I can see archived matches. Or I hope TBS/TNT archive games on their websites/apps (Which are pretty mediocre digital platforms in comparison, but we shall see what improvements the future holds.) On the Spanish Language side of things it will be interesting to see if Univision will put popular matches (and matches involving Mexican players) on their OTA Univision/ Unimas affiliates. But more than likely I see it more as UDN and maybe Galavision Programming. As a personal residual positive I hope this means more Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana matches on Fox Deportes next year.
"In addition to the UEFA Champions League TV and streaming rights, the deal also includes the rights to the UEFA Europa League." https://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/02...-acquire-uefa-champions-league-tv-rights-usa/
After doing a little digging I found this: https://thevideoink.com/turner-bols...igballs-medias-copa90-66cfb3c9b1c3#.g3vdk85xn Which makes a little bit more sense of this new Champions League pursuit. Since they are so hungry for Millennial eyeballs and expanding their digital brand/platform maybe they will hire some people from Bleacher report and this Copa90 getup to be a part of their staff for Champions League matches.
The return of Bob Neal and Mick Luckhurst. lol That was back in the days of commercial interruptions during match action. 5-6 commercials per half, or some such. TNT only missed two goals that I can recall: The lone goal of Italy-Ireland quarterfinal and the 1-0 of the Italy-Argentina semifinal. I say 'only' but they didn't show many of those '90 games: Just a handful of group matches, the four weekend matches from the Round of 16 along with the quarters, semis, 3rd place and final. (Very) frustrating times.
Whether its a step down, up or sideways is too early to tell IMO. It will largely come down to the quality of their broadcast (incl. announcers) and streaming service. Can't do a whole lot worse than FOX on those two fronts (although Turner might manage). Personally I can live with fewer channels available to show the games since with CL even 2 channels is enough to fully cover most matchdays.
Turner Sports’ acquisition of Champions League rights is massive development for soccer https://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/02...ons-league-rights-massive-development-soccer/
I had some problems streaming NCAA basketball games last year on the windows and android apps so it is not as perfect as the author of the article is depicting.