Here is the preliminary listing for Confederation Cup in JUNE on ESPN/ESPN2. I would like to thank for an earlier posting by another fellow bigsoccer fan for pointing this information. Otherwise, a few months ago, i projected that the games will be shown on ESPN/ESPN2. The only thing i would add is that this schedule could still be modified if the US makes it to Finals. In that case, i wouldn't be surprised to see ESPN or ABC carrying the game live. http://www.espnmediazone.com/monthly_highlights.html#JUNE Semifinals games on ESPN 3rd place match on ESPN2 Final on ESPN2 I'm certain that some of the preliminary matches like the US v. Italy, US v. Brazil, and ITALY V. Brazil will be carried by ESPN. These are important matches, and it will get a very decent ratings.
The advance schedule page is not showing June anymore, but there were previously placeholders for the three US matches on ESPN2, I believe.
The schedule for the whole month of June for each ESPN Channel - ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN Classic/ESPNU etc is now up at ESPNMediazone.com For some reason the daily schedule for ESPN2 after June 9 isn't showing up so I can't see for sure what games will be on ESPN2. However we can figure out that the United States-Brazil and United States-Egypt games will be on ESPN2 - based on the fact that we can access the daily schedule for ESPN for the whole month. Also since ESPN is showing 4 games, then ESPN2 will be showing 10 games as we know that 14 of the 16 games in the tournament are scheduled to be shown on ESPN and ESPN2. The only games that are schedule for ESPN are: United States vs Italy - June 15 - 2:25 pm ET to 4:30 pm ET. Italy vs Brazil - June 21 - 2:25 pm ET to 4:30 pm ET. Semifinal #1 - June 24 - 2:25 pm ET to 4:30 pm ET. Semifinal #2 - June 25 - 2:25 pm ET to 4:30 pm ET. United States vs Brazil - June 18 - 10:25 am ET to 12:30 pm ET - will be shown on ESPN2 due to ESPN showing the first round of the US Open Championships (Golf) that morning. United States vs Eqypt - June 21 - 2:25 pm ET to 4:30 pm ET - will be shown on ESPN2 due to ESPN showing the Italy vs Brazil game at the same time. We also know that ESPN2 will be showing the Third Place Game - June 28 -10:00 am ET (pre game coverage starting at 9:55 am ET?) and the Championship Game - June 28 - 2:00 pm ET (pre game coverage starting at 1:55 pm ET?) Hopefully we can access the rest of the ESPN2 schedule for the month of June soon so we can get a complete TV Schedule. LB...
Not that I'm surprised nor am I complaining that the Confederations Cup will be on ESPN, but it's a bit of an affront to the U.S. squad that they get bumped to the secondary network.
The US National team's regular "home" on the ESPN networks has been ESPN2 (as is most soccer they show). Conflicts in coverage of events that would normally be aired on one ESPN channel or the other usually result in one of the games being shown on the other channel....but this 'overflow' coverage goes both ways. Evidence the UEFA Champions League, where one week the match was "bumped" over to ESPN from their usual spot on ESPN2 due to college basketball tournament coverage. Since ESPN2 is their main soccer channel (and where 10 of the 14 games in the Confederation Cup are airing), ESPN in this case is the overflow channel.
Italy vs. Brazil is a bigger soccer match -- a far bigger soccer match -- than U.S. vs. Egypt. Even, alas, in the United States.
Why am I surprised that soccer fans are arguing over semantics of TV channels when there are going to be TWO BIG ********ING SOCCER MATCHES BROADCAST LIVE AT THE SAME TIME ON THE ESPN FAMILY FOR AN EVENT OTHER THAN THE WORLD CUP? Untwist your panties if the chosen networks bothers you. This is a good thing.
In some crazy fantasy world, I wonder if there could be results that would cause Disney to move the US/Egypt game to ESPN while Italy/Brazil was moved to ESPN2. (perhaps if the US and Egypt were both on 6 points after two games.) Separately, and more importantly: I'm hoping/assuming these games on ESPN(s) will be in HD. Anyone know for sure?
Why would they switch the programming when the channels have virtually the same audience and are, in almost every instance, contractually obligated to be right next to each other in the channel lineup? Does it really matter if it's on 32 or 33? Other than typical soccer fan insecurity, why does it matter? As far as the HD, I doubt ESPN is the one doing the camera work so that is probably up to FIFA or whoever is handling the international feed.
I agree with you about the switch. I don't understand why people consider being shown on ESPN2 as a shot against the game. I don't consider the channels to be any different when it comes to actual sporting events. If a game is on one of those 2 channels then I'm fine with it. It only becomes an issue when ESPN start burying soccer on things like Classic.
I never meant to imply that it mattered (to me). I was just wondering if there would be some circumstances that would/could lead ESPN to change their current schedule -- that's all.
Agreed, especially when they have been pretty consistent about putting certain programming (including both U.S. and non-U.S. soccer) on the same channel. People know where to go, but failing that or an on-screen guide, ESPN's website often has what's currently on 1, 2, and Radio listed front-and-center.
Being that one big purpose for this event is to be a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, I would imagine it would be available in HD. I'll also guess that ESPN airs it that way.
i have no idea. just a hypothetical question. why would they put the US on ESPN2 and a different game on ESPN to begin with? it's a question that doesn't matter, but still gets asked on BS.
Heres the TV schedule: Sunday, June 14 - 9:55 am ET - South Africa at Iraq - ESPN2. Sunday, June 14 - 2:25 pm ET - New Zealand at Spain - ESPN2. Monday, June 15 - 9:55 am ET - Brazil at Egypt - ESPN2. Monday, June 15 - 2:25 pm ET - United States at Italy - ESPN. Wednesday, June 17 - 9:55 am ET - Spain at Iraq - ESPN2. Wednesday, June 17 - 2:25 pm ET - New Zealand at South Africa - ESPN2. Thursday, June 18 - 9:55 am ET - United States at Brazil - ESPN2. Thursday, June 18 - 2:25 pm ET - Egypt at Italy - ESPN2. Saturday, June 20 - 2:25 pm ET - Spain at South Africa - ESPN2. Sunday, June 21 - 1:00 am ET - Iraq at New Zealand - ESPN2. Note: Iraq at New Zealand game will be shown LIVE on ESPN360.com Theres a NCAA College World Series Baseball Game scheduled for ESPN for 2:00 pm ET - that game is listed as being "if necessary" so if its not played, we could have the Iraq at New Zealand game being moved to either ESPN or ESPN2 with the Spain at South Africa game being shown on the other network. Sunday, June 21 - 2:25 pm ET - Egypt at United States - ESPN2. Sunday, June 21 - 2:25 pm ET - Italy at Brazil - ESPN. Wednesday, June 24 - 2:25 pm ET - Semifinal #1 - ESPN. Thursday, June 24 - 2:25 pm ET - Semifinal #2 - ESPN. Sunday, June 28 - 8:55 am ET - Third Place Game - ESPN2. Sunday, June 28 - 2:25 pm ET - Championship Game - ESPN2. So all sixteen games will be shown on either ESPN or ESPN2 with all of them being LIVE except for one game. LB...
I would put an asterik for the final. What happens if the US makes it to the Final? I wouldn't be surprised for the game to move to ESPN. Now, i don't know if ABC has any time slots open (afternoon) on Sunday June 28th.
Who do you think we should expect to be announcing these matches? I'm thinking the CL crew that they have now Rae/Smyth and Healey/Musto. Wonder if Andy Gray is interested in a summer holiday to the states again this year? What else is he doing? (Unless Sky has rights to the Confed Cup in the UK)...
I had heard only the Final was going to be in HD. I hope that is wrong, but it seem like a remember seeing that somewhere.
Who will announce? - Since the United States is involved, I expect JP/Harkes to be one of the broadcast teams - they will be the number one team - at the very least, announce the United States games, at least one of the semifinals and the championship game. Rae/Smyth will probably be the second team - they will get to announce the Italy-Brazil game, perhaps the semifinal JP/Harkes don't do and the third place game. Note: if the United States makes the third place game - JP/Harkes will do both the third place/championship game. They could have Smyth be a third man in the booth for the championship game - give the European perspective should say Italy or Spain makes the final. As for Healy/Mustoe? Maybe they will be do one of the lesser games in the non United States group. Heck Mustoe may not even be there - they could have Healy/Smyth team up for one of those games. Don't see the need for them to get Gray - we have the announcers already here to announce the few games that there are and any pregame, halftime and postgame studio business could be handle by Stone and Lalas or Smyth or Harkes if the last two arn't announcing that particular game. LB...