Fox Sports Net (FSN), the regional Fox TV sports affiliates around the United States, will play more of a pivotal role during the 2009-2010 season in broadcasting not only the recently acquired Champions League coverage but also Premier League
football, according to a unnamed source.
In fact, you’ll be able to enjoy five hours of continuous soccer coverage on Tuesdays when Champions League matches are scheduled.
Here’s what the TV schedule looks like for a FSN affiliate, which reveals the amount of coverage that TV viewers can typically expect to see (all times eastern):
Saturday, August 15, 2009
- New season kicks off
Sunday, August 16, 2009
- EPL Review Show, midnight
Monday, August 17, 2009
- Premier League game [pre-recorded], 3pm
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
- Premier League game [replay], Noon
- Champions League pre-game show [live], 2pm
- Champions League game [live], 2:30pm
- Champions League game [delayed], 10pm
Friday, August 21, 2009
- UEFA Champions League Magazine show, 6pm
- UEFA Champions League Magazine show [replay], 10pm
Sunday, August 23, 2009
- EPL Review Show, midnight
Monday, August 24, 2009
- Premier League game [pre-recorded], 3pm
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
- Premier League game [replay], Noon
- Champions League pre-game show [live], 2pm
- Champions League game [live], 2:30pm
- Champions League game [delayed], 10pm
Friday, August 28, 2009
- UEFA Champions League Magazine show, 6pm
- UEFA Champions League Magazine show [replay], 10pm
Sunday, August 30, 2009
- EPL Review Show, midnight
Monday, August 31, 2009
- Premier League game [pre-recorded], 2pm
The TV schedules are subject to change based on each regional FSN network due to local coverage and blackouts. The schedule is not complete, but it shows you a preview of what to expect during a typical two week period.
When Champions League matches are shown, you’ll be able to see five hours of continuous soccer coverage beginning with a Premier League match (replayed from the prior weekend) followed by the Champions League pre-game show and then followed by a Champions League match itself.
Plus, on Tuesdays when sports broadcasts such as baseball may be televised, there’s a very good chance that a Champions League match will be shown on delay from earlier that day.
Last week, we broke the news that the Premier League Review Show was returning to FSN. Plus our sister site Major League Soccer Talk described in more detail in April how acquisition of the Champions League TV rights by Fox Soccer Channel would also help FSN.
To watch as much Champions League coverage next season as possible, you’ll need Fox Soccer Channel, FSN and Setanta Sports (for broadband coverage).
Besides the Champions League, the increased coverage of the Premier League by FSN will definitely help promote the league (and Fox Soccer Channel) throughout the United States and will increase visibility for the league.
So Im hoping they are showing the same thing as they are on fox soccer channel on FSN…and I hope Fox Soccer Channel gets more of this Champions League than FSN…considering Fox soccer channel is a football channel. I just hope I dont get screwed over lol…But I can only assume it will be the same games they are showing on FSC so people that dont have FSC can watch it on FSN…but something i can not figure out is some cable companys and most local cable companys not huge ones have ALL the FSN networks and even the FOX channels that show tv shows…but not FSC. this dosent make sense to me…it looks like FSC would come with FSN or something. But what Do I know.
Here’s hoping that FSN will be showing these broadcasts in HD, always a sore point when FSC and Setanta broadcast matches.
One other question for the Gaffer; in your opinion, are Yank fans of the Premier League a different bunch than the fan who follows MLS? In my experience, I see little interest in the local version, myself included.
Difficult to say BoringArsenal. You have many yanks who follow both MLS and EPL. And you have other yanks who follow Prem only.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Yes, the matches will be in true HD on Regional Sports Networks, including:
- Fox Sports Network channels
- former Fox Sports network channels now known by other names (such as “Comcast”)
- other Regional Sports channels
The matches will be subject to being pre-empted by local regional sports matches, but will NOT be blacked out, so those who subscribe to Multi-Sports package ($5 per month) on Dish Network that has all RSNs (and the equivalent package on DirecTV) should be able to view the match even if it is not shown on their local RSN.
I expect that Fox brand channels will be more likely to show the matches due to cross-promotion and brand loyalty issues.
@ boringarsneal…these matches should be shown in HD….FSN is in HD…well it is here anyhow…Fox Sports South is.
Thanks, I sensed that Fox will push HD now for the Premier League…..I have FSN / Prime Ticket (Southern California).
Are these being played on FSN or FSC??
Both. FSN will show some of the matches. FSC will show more.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Here is to hoping they stream the games online with something like a FSN version to ESPN360. That has been fantastic over the past season. I loved watching all the games on ESPN 360.
V Hamburger,
Champions League matches will only be available via Setanta-i.com in the States. Prem matches will be available online via Setanta-i and FoxSoccer.tv ESPN360 will show Championship games, La Liga and other leagues.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Gaffer,
Does FSC & Setanta have Europa League rights in the U.S. this season as well? Haven’t seen any word. I can only assume thats the case.
A very good question indeed. I haven’t heard a word about it. It definitely hasn’t been on the top of everyone’s list, but let me see what I can find out.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Top of my list, Fulham have a shot to make the group stage.
I remember the head of FSC that was doing the rounds said either on WSD or FFF saying they weren’t going to go for the Europa rights because they can reair Champions League games on Thursdays from Tuesday and Wednesday during the day and would rather focus on that which makes sense especially in the early rounds when there is 16 games of which 1 will be farmed to FSC and I would guess a couple to Setanta from each gameday as well. Fox can only air up to 5 games live a week with the 2 games on FSC and the 1 game on the Fox Sports Regionals. They could also put a game each day live on their Fox Sports Espanol channel as well since I believe they have the spanish speaking rights in the States. FSC, I am sure have an idea how they are going to meld the Champions League Games into their weekly schedule with reairs of the live games and first run games on tape delay too.
Is it possible during the group stage that all 16 games from each week could be shown between FSC, Setanta, Fox Sports Espanol, and Fox Sports Net?
Chris, it’s quite possible that all of the games will be shown across those networks, yes.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I checked in with Setanta regarding TV rights to the Europa League to be shown in the United States, but bidding information from UEFA hasn’t been sent yet, so it looks like it’ll be a while before a decision is made.
Right now, I don’t feel either Fox or Setanta are that interested in the Europa League. If GolTV wanted to try to take it away from them, they’d have a good chance.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I’d be happy if Gol TV got it. Worst case scenario, I’d hit up Justin TV or listen to Gentleman Jim’s call via FulhamFC.com.
Thanks Gaffer
Im curious as to who the international commentators are that FOX will be using… I love the TWI feed for the Premiership.. total class.. but I am concerned with the International commentary feeds.. I am sure they will be far superior to anything FSC could inhouse produce..but.. still would be inferior to a SKY SPORTS feed… is there ANY chance of the SKY feed to the USA for the Champions League?… if so WHO is the announcer for UEFA.. and is it just a single announcer..?
Cantona—
FSC/FSN is taking the world feed from Team Marketing AG, which I believe in the past has been one commentator (this is what would be used for the highlights on UEFA’s website). Not quite sure how the studio show will be set-up since different games won’t always reach halftime or the end at the same moment (and FSC/FSN/FSE will each typically have different live games). I’m sure they’d like to simulcast in order to control costs.
Which champions league games is FSC showing on Aug. 18th and Aug. 19th?
John, the TV fixtures haven’t been announced yet. We expect to hear something within the next couple of days. Stay tuned to EPL Talk for details.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
The TV schedule has now been released for Champions League games on FSN and Fox for the first two weeks of the season. Find them at http://www.championsleaguetalk.com/fox-soccer-channel-unveils-champions-league-tv-schedule/479
Cheers,
The Gaffer