Since it's now known that FXX will make its debut on Sept 2, said to be replacing Fox Soccer, if you go by that date I think you can figure out that that's likely to be the same date Fox Sports 2 will make its debut. I figure this knowing that since Fox still has to air the qualifying round matches of the next Champions League campaign that they'll keep Fox Soccer around until the time is right to make the switch, which they've concluded is Sept 2. (Also note that it's the second day of the month, so they may use that to connect to the idea of the second Fox Sports channel) So, assuming that Fox Sports 2 will have some Champions League and Europa League content, would they still use FSN to air additional games? Would they go at least three-deep for UCL/EL of Fox Sports 1/Fox Sports 2/FSN or if FSN is kept do they move up FSN to second choice, as FSN is likely to have better access through its affiliates than Fox Sports 2? Then there's still the mystery of what happens to Fox Soccer Plus. One of my hopes with Fox Sports 2 is that they don't necessarily have to drop Fox Soccer News when Fox Soccer officially goes away but, instead, have a revamped version of the show, maybe as a weekend review show that reports about what has happened during the past week. Barring that, then use blocks of hours to airing Sky Sports News, perhaps in the early morning hours and/or weekends. I would also suggest a review show for the Champions and Europa Leagues, as a half-hour show leading to another half-hour show of the pregame. I wonder how much time do they have to get this channel to at least 60 million homes (let alone HD; my FUEL TV is offered in FiOS only in SD) before they start their new World Cup contract. If by December 2014 we don't see progress on this front then it'd then be time to get concerned. I know that Fox Sport 1 is going to get more attention at the start but, for fans of association football, it only makes sense to go without Fox Soccer if Fox Sports 2 is in more homes than Fox Soccer was at its height. My final item for today is how they're going to cover the Concacaf Champions League and the Gold Cups in the future, what with their commitments to UFC and MotoGP. Could those be relegated to a Fox Sports GO tier if there are any conflicts?
My guess is that they keep FOX Soccer Plus around and flip it to FOX Sports 3 and that is where they can go 3 or 4 deep with the FOX Regionals during Champions/Europa League games. With FS3 they can keep their rugby commitments, commitments to the SPL, and possibly offer Dutch League games since I believe FOX has world wide rights starting in the new season. There is also all of the motor sports and extreme sports from what is left of FUEL and Speed to juggle on FS2 and FS3. My guess is that they try to get cable/satellite carriers to move it from ala carte to the sports pack. One idea I would pitch is to the people at FOX that probably won't happen but should and that is a deal to be Manchester United's TV partner in the US. It would give FOX access to replays of United's games on delay, access to their news shows, access to their youth team games, and access to their vault programming. I"m sure United probably way overvalue the rights and that is what is holding it back since they haven't had a TV partner in the States since YES in the early to mid 00s. I just think it would be a good partnership that could be good quality filler programming on FOX Sports 2, 3 and the Regionals. The Regionals could also have access to that weeks replays in the spots where Prem games currently air. FOX could also get access to other clubs TV networks to get access to that weeks Premier League Games if they wanted to spend the money for programming that won't draw a rating but can be good filler. From what I remember a non live league rights carrying TV Network is allowed to have the rights to 2 clubs in the competition and are allowed to air their league games on a 48 hour delay. YES currently airs Arsenal games on delay this way.
I haven't heard of any plans for Fox Soccer Plus yet. Perhaps they'll use that for the overflow content and it'll become Fox Sports 3? It would really bug me though if both Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus (both of which I get in HD) stop showing sports and most of the content left that I want to watch gets funneled to Fuel, which I only get in SD.
Off the top of my head, I know that between Celtic (plus Rangers once they are out from under) and Rugby, content from Fox Soccer Plus could easily spread into the new FS1 and 2. Since we know the Eredivisie couldn't carry much viewership weight at the onset, if FS could purchase GolTV, then they will have the Bundesliga fixtures on FS1 to fill the weekend morning void that resulted from the EPL going to NBC. The 9:30* and 11:30/12:30* Bundesliga doubleheaders on Saturdays and Sundays can be on FS1. The Eredivisie 12:45/2:45* doubleheader on Saturdays and the 6:30/8:30/10:30* tripleheaders on Sundays can be on FS2. * all times US-Eastern Fox Sports could even make it out better when the dust settles knowing that the Bundesliga is once again on the ascendancy and even though the Eredivisie is lacking in notoriety when compared to what surrounds them, the Netherlands produce a heck of amount of talent as exhibited by their National Team. If the Netherlands-Belgium superleague somehow launches, then FS couldn't be in a better position to reaffirm its European Football standing. Lest we forget that some Americans have other reasons for liking the Netherlands, plus the fans of the USMNT could watch some more Jozy Altidore playing for AZ Alkmaar. If there is even a possibility of a Fox Sports 3, I sense the Portuguese league will come into play as well the Brasileriao (whose 2013 schedule was recently released) which holds its fixtures on Sundays and most Wednesdays from May to December. Add in the Copa Libertadores and FS3 would fit the bill for a niche sports tier channel. I am not all that certain the various FSNs may have anymore Champions League matches in the near future, let alone the Europa League. There have been unfounded rumors that as FSN renews broadcast deals with their respective teams, FSN will grant more autonomy in programming decisions to the franchises in exchange for maintaining the FSN name and some flexibility for games (notably MLB) airing on FS1 or 2. Back to FS2 speculation, I also sense Aussie Rules Football coming aboard as well as Super Rugby that is now on DirecTV. Matches could easily air while live and the more notable matches can repeat on primetime TV.
I'd like to see the Bundesliga come to FS1 but I don't think FOX would do it. My guess is that FS1 will have a live morning College Football Preview Show on Saturday Mornings and a NFL Morning Show in the Fall months on Sunday. With FOX having the rights to the new Catholic 7 they could even do a live College Hoops program after the NFL and NCAA Football ends. During the Spring months when FOX has NASCAR I could see them doing a live morning preview show on Sunday Race Mornings. I have nothing but respect for the Bundesliga as a TV property but I see FS1 using studio shows to build up their marquee sports programming that will air on the FOX network and on FS1.
Kind of odd that they're starting that they're starting Labor Day Monday when the college football season begins Aug 31. As far as some old content, I'd be happy if they kept the 2am live edition of Good Morning Sports Fans/Sky Sports News. I'll have to remember to say goodbye to FSC on Sept 1 - been a good run.
Although Fox didn't announced anything about switching FUEL or rename of Fox Soccer Plus, but I believe taht Fox Soccer Plus will just simply renamed as Fox Sports Plus rather than Fox Sports 3 as Fox had already owned the logo of Fox Sports Plus for some Region Fox Sports Channel.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...ct-fox-sports-2-fuel-20130514,0,7752654.story Well, Fuel TV is only available at FiOS in SD. I was hoping that that channel would get better exposure as Fox Sports 2 than Fox Soccer has had until recently. The way the article is written says it may start even behind Fox Soccer at its point last year. I hope I'm wrong. Fuel TV is above 37 million households, as of last month. Since we know Fox Soccer is going away, one would think that Fox Sports 2 would slide in where Fox Soccer's position is right now in the FiOS guide but, of course, it's not all that simple.
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/...know-about-fox-soccer-and-fox-sports-1-080113 First official word from them that Fox Sports 2 will be used for the Champions League, along with Fox Soccer Plus.
When they announced Fox Sports 1, they also announced they were going to launch an online service as well, Fox Sports Go. However, we don't know who has committed to making the service available with their service. We should know more whenever they come out with their list of carriers, which should be shortly. I should add: as of now, Fox Soccer 2 Go is still going to exist as well.
Also, see this section on Fox Sports 1's page: What is FOX Sports 2? FOX Sports 2 is an extension of FOX Sports 1 that features live coverage of sporting events and connects with fans through entertaining studio shows and original programming. http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/...know-about-fox-soccer-and-fox-sports-1-080113
When will we know specifically what FS2 will show? Verizon Fios puts the channel (well, FuelTV at the moment) on a higher tier than what I subscribe to and I only have a month to make changes before I'm locked in. It'd be nice to know if they'll have a substantial amount of games (i.e. the "first choice" CL match is on FS1 while the second choice is on FS2 at the same time—usually Arsenal are 2nd choice, even if they're playing a decent team and Man United is playing a wet fart).