DISQUS

twd3lr · 2 years ago

Good points, all. I'm a little concerned about how the face of soccer broadcasting could change next year, particularly for my beloved EPL.


This year, I had to go to a bit of an extreme and signed up for ITVN service in order to get Setanta (I am a DISH Network subscriber). While I am thrilled to have the service, the broadcasts are soft and pixelated (probably doesn't help that I'm watching it on an HDTV set); but a bigger issue than that is that it takes my DVR out of the equation, which was fine when ITVN had Setanta on-demand, but apparently that ruffled some feathers, so now I have to catch a live broadcast or a replay. Next season it seems that even more of the choice matches are moving to Setanta, so this becomes even more of a concern for me. I hope, hope, hope that DISH and Setanta work out an agreement so I can ditch the ITVN box.



Another great channel for those of us with DISH HD is the World Sport channel. I am generally not a fan of La Liga, but damn, it is nice to watch the "big games" live in HD. Can I have SkySports HD, please? ;)

Ossie's Dream · 2 years ago

Gaffer,


Any idea why cable providers don't offer Setanta? Am I right in thinking that only satellite providers broadcast Setanta? Until recently I had DirecTV and thus was spoiled for choice. I now live in a Time Warner Cable household, which means I still get FSC but no Setanta. Is it because Setanta is broadcast from Ireland? I really have no idea and am trying to get my head around this frustrating situation!



Thanks

The Gaffer · 2 years ago

Ossie,


It's a great question, but it has more to do with the cable industry than Setanta.



Cable companies are extremely slow in adding new channels to their offerings, so it takes quite a bit of patience, clout and persistence for networks like Setanta to get added.



You may want to listen to the Shane O'Rourke from Setanta interview on the EPL Talk Podcast at http://epltalk.libsyn.com (just type the chap's name into the search) to learn more.



Cheers,

The Gaffer

Elisa · 2 years ago

I have Setanta because it shows so many Liverpool games and Premiership games. Imagine if I didn't buy Setanta, awful. I also love their CL games. I wish we could see more of them. Not all of us have ESPN Desportes etc. Roma v Lyon is a cracking game and we can't see it. Truly ashame. If ESPN got smart they would continue to show more and more CL games. (ESPN Classics delayed match is a start) We football conisseurs want to see the best of the best.

Ossie's Dream · 2 years ago

Thanks, Gaffer, I will check that out.

Simon Burke · 2 years ago

Twd3lr
Where did you hear Setanta will be showing more choice games? Right now ia m happy as i have both ITVN and Setanta but i do not want to see Setanta get too much as i too like taping games and the quality on my TV is that bit better. Apparently Setanta are trying for the on demand for next season though I cant verify that, it was only what I heard - anyone know any more? Oliver???



Cheers,



Simon

Anonymous · 2 years ago

If you go to www.myp2p.eu


you will get an entire offering of games on the web for free.



I use tvants and sopcasts and between these 2 i get all of the english broadcast games i want.

The Gaffer · 2 years ago

Simon,


I think twd3lr was referring to the Monday EPL matches going from FSC to Setanta. twd3lr, correct me if I'm wrong.



I checked in with ITVN a few weeks ago about the On-Demand service and the chances of that being ready by the beginning of next season, but they had no news to report. That could be good news or bad news.



Cheers,

The Gaffer

Anonymous · 2 years ago

FSC's quality of games has been a constant topic on this forum. The reality is tat their production is attrocious, and their are getting second hand games from EPL, second hand games from Italy, and MLS games(college soccer incl.). And that's about it. With no Champions League, La Luga, and the cream of the crop from the Premiership, FSC is doomed of being the "third best soccer channel in America".(out of 3, that is).
On a different note: Liverpool and Rafa absolutely schooled Barca today at Camp Nou. It was a fantastic victory, with the appropriate irony of goalscorers, and golf-swinging celebrations.

This was the best response to all the criticism in the press. The team stuck together and Rafa deserves all the credit for it. The idiots from FFF last night wanted to crucify Bellamy. Bellamy's response today was magnificent. We are all humans, after all and we all make mistakes. Not to condone whatever happened in Portugal, but some comments in the press were absolutely extreme.

5 times champions of Europe is no joke! An amazing club with amazing traditions. If we could only win the Premier league within my lifetime...

EPLNFL · 2 years ago

After seeing what games FSC has on this weekend it's safe to say they are missing out on the EPL.

twd3lr · 2 years ago

"After seeing what games FSC has on this weekend it's safe to say they are missing out on the EPL."


No lie! Let's see. On Setanta this weekend we have:

Fulham vs Manchester United

Liverpool vs Sheffield United

Middlesbrough vs Reading

Wigan Athletic vs Newcastle United

Chelsea vs Arsenal (League Cup Final)



On FSC we have:

Charlton Athletic vs West Ham United

Watford vs Everton

Tottenham Hotspur vs Bolton Wanderers

Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth



Tottenham v. Bolton should be fun, but I'll pass on the rest of FSC's offerings.

soccerTV · 2 years ago

Setanta issued a press release about a month ago regarding its share of the EPL games for the U.S. market.


Setanta Sports USA and Setanta Broadband will have the Monday night games (usually at 3pm Eastern/12noon Pacific) starting with the 2007-2008 season.



FSC ran into a problem that will evetually affect other soccer TV networks that prefer to be part of digital tiers or sports packs.



Once a channel becomes available on over 90% of cable and satellite TV systems, it can only grow its subscriber revenues on the order of 3-5% each year.



Unfortunately, soccer TV rights fees for the most expensive products are growing in excess of 20% each year.



FSC simply cannot afford to keep exclusive US TV rights to EPL anymore, as its projected revenue growth simply does NOT match the projected rights fee growth.



Eventually (in 3 to 5 years), GolTV will run into the same problem.