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It’s Official: Fox & Setanta Secure EPL TV Rights

January 3rd, 2007 By The Gaffer --> Comments

While it’s been common knowledge for a couple of weeks, Fox Soccer Channel officially announced today via press release that it has renewed the U.S. TV rights for the English Premier League through the 2009-2010 season.What’s interesting is that Fox will license the Spanish language rights in the U.S. to its sister channel Fox Sports en Espanol, illustrating the popularity of the league in this country.What’s not mentioned in the press release is that Fox has sublicensed some of the Premiership matches to Setanta Sports (as it has been doing this season).According to journalist Jamie Trecker, Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta “ponied up $57 million for [the rights] through 2010.”The agreement guarantees three more seasons of exceptional Premiership coverage from Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta. Now all they have to do is find a way to make a profit.

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Tags: Fox Soccer Channel · Fox Sports En Espanol · Jamie Trecker · Setanta Sports · TV Rights

Viewing 5 Comments

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    Gaffer: You know I value your opinion but to use "exceptional" regarding FSC's coverage of the EPL must refer to the quanity and not quality of the show. Lets hope the large money paid will encourage FSC to improve their production value.
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    It definitely refers moreso to the quantity. The quality could be improved, yes, but having Setanta and FSC together offers soccer fans living in America more Premiership coverage than ever before.


    Cheers,

    The Gaffer
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    57 million dollars between Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta Sports...wow.


    Trying to cover those costs will be a task indeed. I really can't see a way for FSC to cover costs unless they find a major big name sponsor to help cover costs. I think Setanta will be a little bit better off because they are an a-la-carte network that makes a little money off the amount of subscribers they get.



    One thing I would love to see both networks try and do come next season (or even towards the end of this season) is do some sort of pregame and postgame coverage. I know FSC makes a half hearted attempt at this with Super Saturday, but I think both networks would be wise to do a full comprehensive pre-game covering the games of the day. Setanta does it every once in a while on the North American feed and both have the TWI 'EPL Preview' show...but something on gameday that builds up the matches more would be a great plus. Hopefully with the money they ponied up for the rights, they will add a couple of new dimensions to their coverage.
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    Gaffer: No doubt that those of us in the US benefit greatly from having two network coverage. We are blessed in fact compared to the "limited" coverage that the fans in the U.K. have.


    Jon: Excellent idea. I have posted similar comments here and on other boards about a quality pre/post match show. I would suggest that FSC obtain the Sky Sports pre-match show and keep it's own American produced post match show. I have had occasion to view BBC produced post-match shows and find them too sedate for the American audience. However, I should saw that my NFL side follows the Chicago Bears and if anyone heard Mike Ditka's post game shows thats why I like something more upbeat. Some of you may know that Mike Ditka took a bad effort so hard once he broke his hand aganist a locker.
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    When oh when will Setanta be available through cable providers?

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