Comments on: Could the US TV Audience for EPL Surpass UK? http://www.epltalk.com/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/1020 Daily News & Analysis of the English Premier League Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:03:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Soccer Guru http://www.epltalk.com/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/1020#comment-2776 Soccer Guru Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:45:00 +0000 http://www.epltalk.com/2007/09/27/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/#comment-2776 No way. ESPN has too many valuable sporting properties that conflict with the EPL to take a chance on something that averages only 300,000 viewers. European football, though I wish it were different is still a niche sport in the US with very little interest outside of a small circle. <br/><br/>MLS still represents the best hope for the sport becoming more mainstream in America, but through a number of bad managment decisions and the failure of the US to develop a superstar player that window is shutting quickly also, sadly. No way. ESPN has too many valuable sporting properties that conflict with the EPL to take a chance on something that averages only 300,000 viewers. European football, though I wish it were different is still a niche sport in the US with very little interest outside of a small circle.

MLS still represents the best hope for the sport becoming more mainstream in America, but through a number of bad managment decisions and the failure of the US to develop a superstar player that window is shutting quickly also, sadly.

]]> By: eplnfl http://www.epltalk.com/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/1020#comment-2761 eplnfl Sun, 30 Sep 2007 19:36:00 +0000 http://www.epltalk.com/2007/09/27/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/#comment-2761 dstorm:<br/><br/>Well made points. And I have stated several times this season on how FSC is making things better.<br/><br/>However, a ESPN commitment to the EPL will clearly mean that soccer is here to stay and grow the audience beyond anything FSC or Setanta can ever do.<br/><br/>As others point out the ESPN coverage is likely to no more than a game of the week that does not interefer with it's mainstream American sports coverage. dstorm:

Well made points. And I have stated several times this season on how FSC is making things better.

However, a ESPN commitment to the EPL will clearly mean that soccer is here to stay and grow the audience beyond anything FSC or Setanta can ever do.

As others point out the ESPN coverage is likely to no more than a game of the week that does not interefer with it’s mainstream American sports coverage.

]]> By: dstorm http://www.epltalk.com/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/1020#comment-2760 dstorm Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:21:00 +0000 http://www.epltalk.com/2007/09/27/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/#comment-2760 I for one hope the EPL does not make it to ESPN in the states. <br/><br/>For the occasional criticism of Fox Soccer Channel, they are finally getting a lot of things right. <br/><br/>I enjoy watching the games without the annoying scroll bar at the bottom giving results I really don't care to see. <br/><br/>I also fear ESPN would be tempted to "Americanize" the sport or "dumb" it down to try and appeal to larger masses (meaning via annoying graphics, etc.) <br/><br/>I actually am glad the EPL is not totally mainstream in the States -- I can enjoy the excellent coverage via Fox Soccer Channel / Setanta, not worry about results being spoiled if I've recorded a game for later viewing, etc. <br/><br/>Let's hope it remains that way. I for one hope the EPL does not make it to ESPN in the states.

For the occasional criticism of Fox Soccer Channel, they are finally getting a lot of things right.

I enjoy watching the games without the annoying scroll bar at the bottom giving results I really don’t care to see.

I also fear ESPN would be tempted to “Americanize” the sport or “dumb” it down to try and appeal to larger masses (meaning via annoying graphics, etc.)

I actually am glad the EPL is not totally mainstream in the States — I can enjoy the excellent coverage via Fox Soccer Channel / Setanta, not worry about results being spoiled if I’ve recorded a game for later viewing, etc.

Let’s hope it remains that way.

]]> By: Eplnfl http://www.epltalk.com/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/1020#comment-2757 Eplnfl Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:44:00 +0000 http://www.epltalk.com/2007/09/27/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/#comment-2757 bc:<br/><br/>Your recent comments on the MLS pod should be noted here. We in America have so much to chose from every weekend it's impossible to take it all in.<br/><br/>ESPN would only be following the crowd with some sort of EPL broadcast during the week.<br/><br/>As to rights issues, do not forget the talk of ESPN buying Setanta. To be re branded as ESPN International. bc:

Your recent comments on the MLS pod should be noted here. We in America have so much to chose from every weekend it’s impossible to take it all in.

ESPN would only be following the crowd with some sort of EPL broadcast during the week.

As to rights issues, do not forget the talk of ESPN buying Setanta. To be re branded as ESPN International.

]]> By: bcjohn02 http://www.epltalk.com/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/1020#comment-2756 bcjohn02 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:59:00 +0000 http://www.epltalk.com/2007/09/27/could-the-us-tv-audience-for-epl-surpass-uk/#comment-2756 EPLNFL,<br/><br/>The ratings for Euro2008 will be a major indicator I feel if ESPN goes after a game or two for their family of networks. Even then they would have to be close to World Cup levels for them to probably consider it. The only thing ESPN is going to have a major time conceding is the TWI broadcasters as they have to do everything in house.<br/><br/>I think what we all have to realize is be thankful we are getting the amount of games we are. Not too long ago it wasn't that high live, or even on a delayed basis. EPLNFL,

The ratings for Euro2008 will be a major indicator I feel if ESPN goes after a game or two for their family of networks. Even then they would have to be close to World Cup levels for them to probably consider it. The only thing ESPN is going to have a major time conceding is the TWI broadcasters as they have to do everything in house.

I think what we all have to realize is be thankful we are getting the amount of games we are. Not too long ago it wasn’t that high live, or even on a delayed basis.

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