I agree that it's not americanzing the sport, but they bring in Dr.Joe on every call. "Dr.Joe was that offside?Dr.Joe was she tackled?". They use him because their 2006 world cup flashback commentators don't know a thing except for the real commentators like Jp and Tony. Bottom line is that you don't need a rule expert during the game all you need is a good co-commentator with good knowledge of the game to comment on a call not a rules expert. You can save the expert for the studio shows.
Should have probably flex scheduled these 3rd games of the group stage. FS2 has the more interesting game right now.
NC-Duke on ESPN2. Give the most important game to the channel with the least homes in hopes to get more carriers. I'm okay with this
Would ESPN still be broadcasting from their Connecticut studios to other countries on an English-language broadcast? I'm reminded of how they would do so for UEFA CL broadcasts. If not, there's probably no read to keep Ian Darke. I'm sure they could work out a deal where they could "loan" him out for the summer.
YES. You said what I came here to say: "We go to Dr. Joe, our rules expert for clarification on this rule. Dr. Joe, can you explain what happened?" *They put up a graphic that says they're talking to him and the rule is explained* "Dr. Joe Machnik, our rules expert. Thanks for explaining it, Dr. Joe." They don't need to say a guy's name every 30-45 seconds when talking to a guy. I'm not opposed to bringing in a rules expert, but to say his name THAT frequently? Do they get paid for saying it?
The 2006 World Cup was horrible. Granted, I was watching on a 4x3 SD TV, so other experiences may differ, but they had the black time/score bug across the entire top of the TV and the standard ticker on the bottom. It really felt like watching one of those VHS "widescreen" movies. I forget if it was 2002 or 2006, but they also had those graphics that would "swoosh" in from the side before being rather large in the lower corner. Two things that Fox has right: No ticker and small graphics. I'm reminded of Sunday morning games back in 2006 that were scheduled for ABC. Some affiliates wouldn't show those games in favor of religious programming (ie: making money.) Hopefully Fox learns from that and does whatever needs to be done. We also need to remember that the World Cup is still several years away. Have faith that FS2 will be on more TVs then.
Yeah. Would they be doing this for future World Cups? Connecticut studios or would the studios be in Russia/Qatar or even in the "home" country wherever they're broadcasting to?
I'm 20 minutes into River-Guarani and hoping that Fox Deportes does not edit the game, which is what they almost always do for delayed broadcasts. And as I watch, I am reminded of that $15 I waste each month during non-Europa League times for FS+. I get that the MLB All-Star game is a big deal and Fox wanted to do proper pre-game, in-game graphics, and post-game analysis with Deportes announcers. But given that FS+ is basically junk programming, why didn't Libertadores show live on FS+? They could have aired in Spanish, Bra Portuguese, or even had someone not dealing with Gold Cup call this game in English. I know that River-Guarani is not a global branded match, but, again, showing this versus the 100th repeat of a CL group game of FA Cup match would at least draw some audience even if that audience relied on the DVR because Gold Cup was the priority.
Fox was getting reamed on Facebook and Twitter for showing the baseball instead of copa libertadores. With all due respect to those communities, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans and Dominicans who don't speak English could have watched the local Fox affiliate on SAP. Honestly, I think the call to air the baseball was made by some gringo who sees all the Latin names on baseball teams and doesn't know the difference between a Dominican and a Mexican and doesn't know that most Spanish speaking Latinos could give a rat's arse about baseball. And even if they are airing the game on deportes, can't they add a live stream on fsgo or put the game on a mundo fox affiliate? Or as someone here said, fs+ (didn't they put the Italian feed of the CL final on fs+?). TFox has been absolutely terrible with the Libertadores and the Sudamericana, routinely playing CL repeats rather than live games and now this. I remember Paco Casal complaining that he (tennfield/goltv) offered more money than fox for the rights but the conmebol mafia gave the rights to fox anyway. At least pirated streams were plentiful.
I have never watched a beach soccer game in my life other than participating in pick-up games when I was a kid. I have no idea if these games tend to run long, but I would guess that a final will run long (esp. including a trophy celebration), so we're back to the same old story: Fox puts Gold Cup and beach soccer on the same channel back to back. My guess is that beach soccer, which probably has a super niche audience (said from someone who watches 10-12 matches a week), will screw up how the Gold Cup airs. If you're smart, you will set your DVR to record FS2 as well in order to avoid missing the beginning of the Gold Cup. Worst case scenario, you delete the extra recording because beach soccer actually ends on time or early. I'm a pessimist when it comes to sports so I expect, extra time, penalties, and the longest trophy celebration in the history of any football match all for an event that probably has minimal viewers.
Meant to post here. Does anyone else find it wrong that mothership is showing a meaningless friendly while the US team is playing on a channel with horrible distribution. Yes, they are both meaningless games but still... It just shows you how screwed up Fox is.
Anything involving Mancheser united and Barcelona is going to draw people. Fox didnt expect the usa to be playing in this game and cable providors hate when theres a last minute schedule change.
This might not be super great news for weekday afternoon soccer programming on FS1 (or FS2) http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/...owherd-joins-fox-sports-and-premiere-networks
There would be a huge uproar from us. Cowerd isnt as bumpable as Mike Francesa, but maybe fox might want to bump him to fs2 for carriage.
Speaking of Mike... A Fox Sports spokesperson officially confirms: The Mike Francesa Show will move to Fox Sports 2 and FOX Sports GO on September 8.— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) August 12, 2015
Though I also can't see him being allowed to get in the way of Champions League coverage in the slightest. Cowterd is important for FOX, but so is (the expensive) deal with UEFA. I think you'll see last hour of those simulcasts bumped to FoxSportsGo. For smaller events like Bundesliga or early FA Cup... probably not.
When Fox has live soccer on FS1, Cowherd simulcast will be bumped to FS2, in turn bumping Francesa.— Neil Best (@sportswatch) August 12, 2015
Good move for Fox in general. The Herd has his following. And will do wonders for their College Football coverage. Pertaining to Soccer though he won't really add anything.
Cowherd show stops at 3pm and the champions league games start at 245 I wouldn't be shocked if they only carry the first two hours or two and a half.