Does anyone have any idea where Scot Prem (kicks off 8/1) and BelgianPro League (8/8) could be found this season? I read somewhere that B/r will not be carrying either as they have in the past. I wish espn+ would pick them both up but no sign of that as of now.
World Soccer Talk says the Scots are still shopping for a partner. Maybe CBS will consider adding it now that they have the UCL.
Remember, both the Scottish League and Belgian League rights are held by Perform Group (the creators of the ICC friendly cups). I wouldn't be surprised if ESPN scoops up the rights. Could easily show the Old Firm on ESPN2 as those games are usually in the wee hours in the morning
ESPN+ has signed a 5-year deal to show the Scottish Premiership! https://worldsoccertalk.com/2020/08/28/espn-acquires-scottish-premiership-rights-for-next-5-years/ www.soccertvblog.com
Yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!! As a Hearts supporter I’m also excited about the Scottish Championship and League Cup coverage. I love espn+. Really get your $’s worth as a footy fan.
At around the 34:30 mark of yesterday's ESPN FC show, they announced that Saturday's (today) SPL matches would be available on ESPN+. It seems like there is a lack of communnication over at ESPN as none of the games have been listed. While this would be an annoyance if coming from a new startup streaming company, it is utterly surprising coming from an established firm as ESPN.
I am just reading this thread now so didn't know about this new SPL coverage. So did they end-up showing last weekend's matches? Not sure but this seems like the first time in ~20 years that the Old Firm matches will have a long-term, reliable and essentially free home in the US(?). I recall Fox Sports World covering the SPL but don't think that included Rangers-Celtic derbies. And also remember SPL being on Fox Soccer Plus, YouTube, PPV and B/R. You could go broke following the SPL.
ESPN+ didn't show last weekend's games but they will show games after the international break FS2 used to show the old firm derby a few years back so...no
So if you go to the World Soccer Talk article now, it's edited to say that they're "trying" to get rights and that the rights deal "fell through." That website frequently breaks things and has excellent information. But they also overreach by (1) not admitting they were wrong (as in this case, they should have published a new article) and (2) passing off as exclusive "BREAKING NEWS" things that I found in my onscreen guide or things that were told to them in their comments section.
Looks like ESPN jumped by gun by briefing that Gotta seal the deal first before you announce you have it
Someone here said that ESPN did announce on air. I haven't verified (although I have no reason to doubt). My only source that I saw was World Soccer Talk, who have now (very silently) retracted.
Old Firm Derby next weekend. If there’s still a shot at a deal coming together this might be an incentive to get it done.
I hope but the distribution rights holders are being a bit greedy but with a pandemic ongoing, might as well cut your losses...
ESPN+ to stream this weekend’s Celtic-Rangers Old Firm Derby https://worldsoccertalk.com/2020/10/15/espn-to-stream-this-weekends-celtic-rangers-old-firm-derby/ SA
"In August, World Soccer Talk reported that the Scottish Professional Football League and ESPN+ were working out the final details of a five-year deal." Ummm, no. They reported that it was a done deal. It's ok to say your sources were wrong.
Every now and again we have a day like tomorrow across the UEFA leagues: 7h30: Everton v Liverpool 7h30: Celtic v Rangers 9h00: Napoli v Atalanta 12h00: Inter v Milan 12h30: Man City v Arsenal 15h30: Sporting v Porto
Just a note that based on ESPN+ programming, coverage of Scottish football is 1 match from the Premier League & 1 from the Championship per round. A little disappointing to say the least. Would expect at least all Rangers & Celtic matches to make the schedule... SA www.soccertvblog.com
I'll take it. As long as the tend to show the "best" match (i.e. don't show Celtic when they are playing the bottom team). They might increase the # of matches gradually over time like with the Eredivisie(?).
iIf espn were to be allowed to show every Celtic and Rangers matches, there would be no reason for the fans of those clubs to continue purchasing the expensive CelticTV and RangersTV packages.
They showed both the Celtic and Rangers match last weekend but maybe that's because it was for the cup. Looks like they are back to showing just 1 match next weekend from the SPL (Ross County v Rangers)
I see 3 Belgian Jupiler League matches scheduled for this weekend on ESPN+!!!!! SA www.soccertvblog.com
WST confirming... https://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/02...league-to-growing-portfolio-of-soccer-rights/