I know we've got other World Cup threads with ratings info and broadcast schedules, but hopefully the mods will see this as a distinct spot for discussing ESPN's actual execution during the tournament. I'll start: The main set in Rio was debuted during last night's US-Nigeria warm-up match. Looks pretty sharp, and more than anything, I loved the new design/font style they're using for on-screen graphics. Clean and classy. (Weird you can hear the waves on the beach during segments. I could see that "whooosh" getting a little distracting for some folks. I thought my speakers were screwing up at first.)
They get an F- for their ESPNFC last night. 90 minute show. Not one second about 3 out of the 4 games (CIV-JAP, CRC-URU & COL-GRE) that day. Garbage!
I think ESPN need to bring in a voice with more presence and personality into their World Cup tonight broadcast. Why not import someone like Craig Burley from ESPNFC? He would add much needed wit and humor. Steve Nichol would liven things up as well.
They've been great so far, everything they control has been handled really well. Tirico and Ley add some gravity to the presentation given their resumes and Hipgrave has been a really good addition too. I'd give them an A so far. Martinez is fantastic. Not looking forward to the loudmouth channel next time.
Lalas is terrible. Like to see him removed and get replaced with someone with more humor and life. He is dry and not always fair giving out praise to those who deserve to get it.
Overall very good, but there have been some low points. For example: It's not "relenting pressure", Kasey. Someone please tell Rae and Mann that Ibisevic and Najar could NOT play for the US...
I dont see why Burley isnt in the booth doing commentary. Thats where hes at his best and if he was good enough for BBC at the last WC then why not for ESPN at this WC.
Because they are not US citizens, and could not have become ones absent an Act of Congress(ain't happening) prior to this Cup.
Overall pretty good. I've always disliked Tirico, but he's fine at what he does. Roberto Martinez is terrific, best of the lot by far. It was also really good to get him as the color guy for the Argentina match last night.
I think Tirico has actually been quite good. He's clearly becoming much more knowledgeable about the sport. I miss Chris Fowler and would be interested to see if ESPN does any cross pollination with their Wimbledon broadcasts since Fowler is there in that football mad nation and tennis broadcasters such as John McEnroe have a knowledge of soccer. Craig Burley was on World Cup tonight last night and was a great breath of fresh air. I hope ESPN realize the potential to exploit what they have and get that show talked about in other media and create a buzz for it. Input from some of the ESPNFC guys (including behind the scenes info from journalists like Gab Marcotti) could give the show that cutting edge it needs.
They could have become the citizens if they had wanted to. They both grew up in this country and were eligible for it. If they ever showed desire to play for the US, they would have been citizens and in the team. Nothing wrong with Rae mentioning that two of them could have played for the US.
bill hofheimer @bhofheimer_espn ESPN will have LIVE cameras at DUMBO in Brooklyn, NY, @SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA, Grant Park in Chicago and Accra, Ghana for #USAvsGHA match.
A lot of big cities missing the boat not having these FanFests! Check out the crowd at a little town like Bethlehem!
I don't know how many of the people in the market are close to Bethlehem, but the Allentown-Bethlehem radio market is the 70th biggest in the country. I wouldn't call it a "little town."
It is not in the top 100 media markets. Comparatively speaking, it is a small town: http://www.newsgeneration.com/broadcast-resources/top-100-radio-markets/
Good job in my eyes. Tirico is solid he is engaged and has certainly broadened his knowledge. Bob Ley is excellent as well. Roberto Martinez is quality. I also enjoy Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Lalas is not the greatest but better then Fox guy Wynalda. Gilberto Silva is rough with accent. Commentary of matches is excellent. Hope and pray the Fox guys get their acts together and realize they need to have quality soccer people in 4 years. That should not be much to ask is it?
Overall they are doing fabulous, Fox will not top espn in four years. That said, I do miss Martin Tyler. There's got to be more behind his absence than a presumed 'loss of face' if Ian Darke calls the final. There was plenty of room for both of them in 2010. Any info or speculations???
I'll speculate that maybe the ESPN execs perceived (rightly or wrongly) that Tyler does not 'connect' with US viewers the way Darke does
Well our sources strongly disagree about some markets. http://www.allaccess.com/nielsen/q/market/265 says Springfield, MO is Market 137 and your source says it's Market 75. Your source also combines cities such as Hartford and New Haven that are separate in my source.
My source is of MEDIA MARKETS, which is a different measurement than used in determining RADIO markets. For example, San Diego is the #17 radio market, but #28 for media (TV). Nobody besides radio sales people rely on radio market rankings for anything. That being said, even # 70 is still small time.