This is a move that is necessary for Fox to stake a claim on the future of football broadcasting. Watching football now versus in HD is like the difference between making love with or without a condom. I'm not going to say 'no', but there's really no comparison. Vision of the field is so much more realistic and the detail is phenomenal.
Tampasoccerfan
· 1 year ago
The comment above was hilarious. And yet, very true. Football on HD is long long overdue!
AtlantaPompey
· 1 year ago
But will they still have the EPL by then? Or will ESPN outbid them?
How many games are currently broadcast in England in HD? Will that number go up in the next two years? Most live sports in America on the four networks and ESPN/TNT/etc are in HD now. Is it that way in England or in Europe in general? If not, will they be moving to that?
hudsonland
· 1 year ago
Except that nowhere in the article does it actually indicate that any matches will be shown in HD. FSC could have an HD feed but still show games in SD, like ESPN[2]HD often does.
The Gaffer
· 1 year ago
I asked a representative from Fox Soccer Channel for more insight regarding the news, but they have no comment at this time.
Cheers, The Gaffer
Dustin
· 1 year ago
That is great news for people in the US. In Australia Fox Sports currently televise 2-3 games a week in HD from the EPL and reaming are televised in a widescreen 16:9 576i picture, you also have The CC Championship which do around 2-3 games a week in HD as well.
eplnfl
· 1 year ago
What FSC will look like program wise in 2010 is clearly up in the air. But once again for those of us who love soccer and have seen it in HD there is nothing like it. FSC takes a lot of abuse from American soccer fans and are never very quick on the draw so to speak but they eventually get around to doing something right. Good news.
Leeciff
· 1 year ago
All EPL matches that are produced to be shown live on Sky Sports (96 matches) and Setanta Sports (48 matches) in the UK is shot in HD. So that's all the games minus the 3PM Saturday/Sunday kickoffs, which are shot in standard definition widescreen, although BBC and SKY share covering these games and some may well be shot in HD.
The majority of football shown live in the UK is shot in HD - Champions' League, Coca Cola Football League, FA Cup, Carling Cup, Blue Sq Premier, home internationals etc.
Dustin
· 1 year ago
The Setanta games could be shot in HD but correct me if I am wrong but I do believe that Setanta presently has a HD channel up and running
Also the CC Championship currently televises 2-3 games a week in HD
Dustin
· 1 year ago
suppose to say I don't think Setanta has a HD channel up and running in the UK yet
Weston
· 1 year ago
Id rather they make the channels more available before they worry about HD broadcasts...
Leeciff
· 1 year ago
No Setanta HD in the UK (yet) but they use HD equipment so the rest of Europe sees these games on their channels in HD
larryaz
· 1 year ago
Soccer fans in North America are the most tolerant fans in the world. HD soccer programming in North America is so over due, it is pathetic. I am surprised not more people are demanding Fox to make the transition faster. In the original post, FOX bitch about HD being too expensive and "need to upgrade the wire in the studio". HELLO! That's your problem, not MINE! What a shame. ESPN was broadcasting the Worldcup 2006 in full HD back in - 2006! Fox is now saying HD program won't come until 2010!
So why should we all get stuck with regular definition for another two freaking years? Can ESPN step up and take the broadcast right from Fox? Fox is a bunch of incompetent bureaucrats who doesn't know their asses from a hole in the ground. Come on, the commentary on EPL games on FSC is not even from FSC, it is from EPL match commentators. FSC is no more than a low-budget daily soccer news studio. In contrast, ESPN is doing a much better job broadcasting UEFA Champions League. Besides, ESPN's soccernet.com is better than fox's website by FAR.
So what do you say guys, boycott Fox and force them to sell their broadcasting rights to ESPN?
I am pretty mad at the situation as you can tell. How hard it is to bring EPL, which is already produced in HD signal, to America? If Animal planet is in HD, if my freaking birthday home video is in HD, we can't even get EPL in HD? What the fuck America? Enough is enough!
The executives of the networks have to realize soccer is not just about MLS, and not just low income immigrants watch soccer. Games like EPL in HD has a large following of European and Asian viewers. Betting on EPL, La Liga and Serie A is a global industry. I personally is willing to pay $300 per season for all EPL games in HD, if you are wondering how much money is there to be made. HD European soccer is the next BIG thing in America, not MLS. Sorry MLS fans.
I wish more soccer fans would come out and say something! If a staff of FSC is reading this please forward this to your boss...he needs to get a slap on the face!
Larry in Tucson
footballer
· 1 year ago
Larry: The name of the sport is football, ok? Maybe you don't know that, so I'll do you teh favor and teach you.
Gaz
· 1 year ago
If the EPL get switched to ESPN you will probably have to tape games shown at 2AM. You really think that ESPN is going to show games when they can show all the other American sports (even a rebroadcast)? No, we need the EPL to stay on a channel that is dedicated to football.
footballfanuk
· 1 year ago
Footballer : what is your point?
footballer
· 1 year ago
Step 1 to becoming a true football fan: Learn and recognise which sport is the true Football.
It's in the Football Fan's Bible
FSC_Lover
· 1 year ago
Larry - as someone IN the broadcast industry, your comments simply REEK of someone who has no effin' clue how the whole thing works. So - here's a small lesson. FOX Sports International works on a shoe-string budget - that includes FSC. Sure - they get revenue from ad sales and paying next to nothing for 'Fox Soccer Report' (and selling ads within FSR) - but it certainly does NOT cover the cost of bringing in the games in HD. To get HD games - double your cost - period.
Now you say ESPN does it so much better. Do they really? I know LOTS of people (Check the Big Soccer boards) who RAIL against ESPN because they don't know anything about footie. Ya - they have the Champions League - but that's Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth sitting in a booth in Bristol, CT watching the game on TV and giving commentary. FSC does the same thing. And while ESPN are viewed as the BIG BOYS of Sports Broadcasting, they recognize the limited revenue stream footie can provide. Why do you think they're STILL humming and hawing about trying for EPL rights? They KNOW it's not lucrative enough to cover the cost of bringing it in. You think they make money on the Champions League? If you do - give your head a good shake. The Champions League is a money loser for ESPN. Thankfully - ESPN makes a crapload of cash off all their other sports so they can offset the operational deficit of bringing in HD games - if they choose.
But don't rail against FSC because they try to balance the books against a sport that doesn't make any money in the US & Canada. I know I'm in the minority but I think they do a FANTASTIC job of trying to grow the sport in North America. And in today's fiscal climate - FSC acting responsibly and NOT biting off more debt than they can chew (while not sacrificing their programming) is a smart move.
If you don't like what they do - there's plenty of other EPL alternatives out there. Oh wait - no there isn't!
Thanks FSC for doing what you do!
juveken
· 11 months ago
great post. I would LOVE to see English and Italian games in HD, but I am completely satsified that they are available in SD. I love the channel.
efy007
· 1 year ago
Nice to see that FSC has plans to broadcast in HD! I just got a huge plasma and the games look better on my 36" because they are SD. BUT, 2 years?! I mean come on guys, you can do better than that..... like maybe the begining of the 2009 season? :)
Hopefully Setanta follows along, of course it would be nice if Comcast Cable carried it too. Might have to swith to Direct TV if Comcast doesnt add Setanta to its line up.
Mark D. W.
· 1 year ago
I would pay $50 - $100 a month just for E.P.L. Games in HD!
I CAN'T WAIT!!! HD HD HD HD HD!!!!!!
bonet1
· 12 months ago
I see Spanish League matches in HD on WorldSport HD once a week here in NYC, they look fantastic....so I know at least the Spanish League gets one HD game in per week, are ALL Spanish La Liga Games broadcast in HD?
Jeff
· 12 months ago
This is fantastic news. We get to watch 2010 World Cup in HD on ESPN and then following suit, EPL & Serie A matches in HD. I really hope GOLTV can make the big switch to HD, to watch Barcelona play at the Camp Nou in HD...would be quality!
SteveM
· 11 months ago
Wait, I still have to wait 2 years? I'm not impressed. The consumer still wants what he wants
Clive
· 11 months ago
Until we can get HD it would be really nice to at least get the 16:9 format. The additional width gives a much better idea of what is happening off the ball.
Sergio
· 10 months ago
I agree with Larry from Tuscon all the EPL games are all purchased from the EPL with commentators and graphics, etc. ESPN could easily purchase the HD feed and commentary rights to broadcast in the US. For all other games on FSC, yes, they'd probably need to upgrade their studio, etc.
ESPN does use commentators 'in-studio' since UEFA does not provide adequate commentators like the EPL productions does in UCL matches.
And to the remark that ESPN or ESPN2 would never broadcast games until late at night. I totally disagree, ESPN or ESPN2 has NOTHING on from 8AM-2PM hardly ever on weekends and especially not on weekdays during soccer months. If I was ESPN I'd say it would be a great business decision. Plus the NHL and EPL probably have the highest growth potential in the US.
All Comments
How many games are currently broadcast in England in HD? Will that number go up in the next two years? Most live sports in America on the four networks and ESPN/TNT/etc are in HD now. Is it that way in England or in Europe in general? If not, will they be moving to that?
Cheers,
The Gaffer
So that's all the games minus the 3PM Saturday/Sunday kickoffs, which are shot in standard definition widescreen, although BBC and SKY share covering these games and some may well be shot in HD.
The majority of football shown live in the UK is shot in HD - Champions' League, Coca Cola Football League, FA Cup, Carling Cup, Blue Sq Premier, home internationals etc.
Also the CC Championship currently televises 2-3 games a week in HD
So why should we all get stuck with regular definition for another two freaking years? Can ESPN step up and take the broadcast right from Fox? Fox is a bunch of incompetent bureaucrats who doesn't know their asses from a hole in the ground. Come on, the commentary on EPL games on FSC is not even from FSC, it is from EPL match commentators. FSC is no more than a low-budget daily soccer news studio. In contrast, ESPN is doing a much better job broadcasting UEFA Champions League. Besides, ESPN's soccernet.com is better than fox's website by FAR.
So what do you say guys, boycott Fox and force them to sell their broadcasting rights to ESPN?
I am pretty mad at the situation as you can tell. How hard it is to bring EPL, which is already produced in HD signal, to America? If Animal planet is in HD, if my freaking birthday home video is in HD, we can't even get EPL in HD? What the fuck America? Enough is enough!
The executives of the networks have to realize soccer is not just about MLS, and not just low income immigrants watch soccer. Games like EPL in HD has a large following of European and Asian viewers. Betting on EPL, La Liga and Serie A is a global industry. I personally is willing to pay $300 per season for all EPL games in HD, if you are wondering how much money is there to be made. HD European soccer is the next BIG thing in America, not MLS. Sorry MLS fans.
I wish more soccer fans would come out and say something! If a staff of FSC is reading this please forward this to your boss...he needs to get a slap on the face!
Larry in Tucson
It's in the Football Fan's Bible
Now you say ESPN does it so much better. Do they really? I know LOTS of people (Check the Big Soccer boards) who RAIL against ESPN because they don't know anything about footie. Ya - they have the Champions League - but that's Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth sitting in a booth in Bristol, CT watching the game on TV and giving commentary. FSC does the same thing. And while ESPN are viewed as the BIG BOYS of Sports Broadcasting, they recognize the limited revenue stream footie can provide. Why do you think they're STILL humming and hawing about trying for EPL rights? They KNOW it's not lucrative enough to cover the cost of bringing it in. You think they make money on the Champions League? If you do - give your head a good shake. The Champions League is a money loser for ESPN. Thankfully - ESPN makes a crapload of cash off all their other sports so they can offset the operational deficit of bringing in HD games - if they choose.
But don't rail against FSC because they try to balance the books against a sport that doesn't make any money in the US & Canada. I know I'm in the minority but I think they do a FANTASTIC job of trying to grow the sport in North America. And in today's fiscal climate - FSC acting responsibly and NOT biting off more debt than they can chew (while not sacrificing their programming) is a smart move.
If you don't like what they do - there's plenty of other EPL alternatives out there. Oh wait - no there isn't!
Thanks FSC for doing what you do!
Hopefully Setanta follows along, of course it would be nice if Comcast Cable carried it too. Might have to swith to Direct TV if Comcast doesnt add Setanta to its line up.
I CAN'T WAIT!!! HD HD HD HD HD!!!!!!
The additional width gives a much better idea of what is happening off the ball.
ESPN does use commentators 'in-studio' since UEFA does not provide adequate commentators like the EPL productions does in UCL matches.
And to the remark that ESPN or ESPN2 would never broadcast games until late at night. I totally disagree, ESPN or ESPN2 has NOTHING on from 8AM-2PM hardly ever on weekends and especially not on weekdays during soccer months. If I was ESPN I'd say it would be a great business decision. Plus the NHL and EPL probably have the highest growth potential in the US.