Gotta say, not a fan of that main NBC play-by-play commentator (is it Arlo White?). During the Liverpool x Wolves match he spent 75% of the game talking about the BHA v Man City match. Most of the rest of the time was taking up talking about Liverpool x Barca; Man City x Liverpool (yes, that match from months ago) and who would win the title "if things stand as they are now". I thought he could've spent at least a bit of time calling the match that was in front of him. I've noticed this before with him, but last Sunday was extreme!. Yes, I know there were 2 games being played at the same time, which is just insane - probably never happened before in sports - but still...
Agree 100%, yes it's Arlo White. Had to suffer through a ridiculous and laborious Game of Thrones-based intro he had to the Newcastle-Liverpool match a couple of weeks ago. It took almost a full minute and you could tell he must have spent all week preparing it.
With ESPN FC having gone off TV last year, and XTRA finishing for the summer (if not beyond)... Thank heavens for Sky Sports News! Dear NBC please don't dump that program like you have so many others.
Technically ESPN FC still has special episodes on television. For instance I just saw one yesterday previewing the Nations League matches.
Yes those show up on my TV every few months when they are promoting their next tournament about to begin. But this is NOT what I'm talking about. I like a daily footy show on TV. There have been Fox Soccer Report (and all it's incarnations), ESPN FC, BeIN Xtra & Sky Sports News. At the moment it's only the latter that exists... until NBC cans it.
I hear ya. I wish more existed in English but it is what it is. My only recommendation is for you to learn some Spanish because various Spanish channels have daily soccer shows.
Being on TV makes people feel like a game or show matters as opposed to only being streamed online or a podcast.
Looks like Sky Sports News might go poof on 6/28. At least on my DVR that's the last one it shows. The following week, that 11am slot is filled by the every important Mecum Auto or American Ninja shows. If we lose SSN for the rest of the summer, I won't be completely surprised, but I will miss it. Especially since there's still footy tournaments going on, transfers/rumors happening, etc. But I can live with this, as long as they bring it back in August in time for the start of EPL season. Are you listening NBC?
They may also have had to axe it due to the African Cup. they may not have the rights from BeIN to show highlights or something petty like that and I think Sky Sports my show some here and there. (Just speculating.)
Yeah this is a good point, something I was thinking. Maybe just summer doldrums or worry that they don't have the rights to show a lot of the football highlights right now - or cricket - etc
Email from NBC Sports re: Gold this coming season. Note: Sky Sports News and other Sky programs going to Gold(?) RENEWAL NOTICE The 2019-20 Premier League season begins this summer! Watch exclusive fixtures and Premier League shows every matchweek with your Premier League Pass. New this year - get even MORE Premier League with all 380 matches on-demand, plus, exclusive programming from Sky Sports. As an existing Premier League Pass subscriber, you will receive $5 off the Premier League Pass when you are renewed on/around August 5, 2019. Your credit card will be charged $59.99. Subscription period valid through May 30, 2020. All 380 Matches NEW Watch every Premier League match on-demand Weekly Shows Extensive collection of weekly Premier League shows - Premier League Review, Premier League Preview, Premier League World & more Sky Sports NEW Enhance your viewing experience with Sky Sports shows Classic Matches & Features Take a look back at classic matches from past seasons, plus PL Legends & Gary Neville's Soccerbox Commercial-Free Watch it all without interruptions subscription price $64.99. WHAT'S INCLUDED THIS SEASON 140 Live Matches Stream at least 4 exclusive matches per club All 380 Matches Click here for details on the new MatchDay Pass Only want live matches? Click here for details on the new MatchDay Pass
I got the email also. So it’s $65 for Gold with everything (sky content, games on demand) but $60 if you renew early. And $40 for just the live games that aren’t on the linear channels.
Thanks for the heads-up Kev. If we sign up early it'll be $5/mo for PLP. And although the wording about Sky is vague, I agree that this is very plausible that they'll move Sky Sports News off of TV and onto digital exclusively. It would fit the model of tease-them-with-it-on-TV-before-moving-it-to-Gold-thus-locking-in-more-revenue. For some who don't get TV or NBCSN this is fine and dandy. But for the rest of us, we're left with less and less of the good stuff on the old reliable TV+DVR platform. Maybe our assumption will be wrong, and they'll leave SSN on TV for another year?
If you're going to pay, IMO you should pay $64.95 (or $59.95 for incumbent subscribers). In addition to additional shows, the more expensive package includes games on demand. Since they're saying 380 games, I'm assuming that includes games on TV, so if you buy the more expensive package you don't have to worry about forgetting to set you DVR. I wonder if it means that paying will let you watch live games on TV without being logged in through a TV provider. If that is the case, it makes it easier to cut the cord. Being commercial-free also helps because if a game ends and you want to switch to the end of another game, you could miss the final whistle if you have to watch a 15 or 30 second ad when you change games.