MaestroZidane
YELLOW CARD: Untrustworthy
Some very interesting news for the U.S football fans.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ESPN-to-share-La-Ligas-US-TV-apf-2481090449.html?x=0&.v=1
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=656557&sec=england&cc=5901
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ESPN-to-share-La-Ligas-US-TV-apf-2481090449.html?x=0&.v=1
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=656557&sec=england&cc=5901
ESPN snaps up Premier League TV packages
By Soccernet staff
June 22, 2009
ESPN has won the rights to broadcast 46 live Premier League matches in the United Kingdom for the 2009-10 season, and has also been awarded a contract for the 2010-13 seasons.
The sports broadcaster, parent company of Soccernet, picked up both 23-match packages on offer in Monday's auction. ESPN's 46 live games will be split between Saturday evenings and Monday nights in the coming season. For the three seasons from 2010-11 to 2012-13 ESPN has the rights to a single package of 23 matches previously awarded to Setanta.
The Premier League ended their association with Setanta on Friday after they failed to meet a final deadline over a £30m payment which had been due this month. Setanta was also stripped of its Scottish Premier League contract on Monday.
"We are clearly delighted that our bid for exclusive media rights to the Barclays Premier League matches in the UK has been successful," said Lynne Frank, ESPN Managing Director in Europe, Middle East and Africa. "This is a huge step for our business, and we look forward to working with the Premier League, football clubs and distributors to bring UK sports fans all the excitement they expect in Premier League football."
"Premier League football is one of the world's most sought after sports properties, and we are very excited to be expanding our business in the UK with England's top football product," said Russell Wolff, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, ESPN International. "This move demonstrates our commitment to British sports fans and our ongoing commitment to delivering football to fans around the world across a variety of media."
Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, said: "The Premier League is extremely pleased to have added ESPN as a UK rights holder. They have a formidable worldwide reputation and experience in sports and I am sure we will enjoy a long and fruitful relationship with them."
ESPN plans to make its Barclays Premier League coverage widely available across multiple pay-TV platforms. As a first step to this distribution strategy, ESPN has reached an agreement for its coverage to be retailed by Sky to residential and commercial customers./QUOTE]
ESPN to share La Liga's US TV rights with GOL Tv
NEW YORK (AP) -- Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka will get a wider distribution platform in the United States next season.
ESPN said on Monday that it will start sharing U.S. television rights to Spain's La Liga with GolTV, which has broadcast the league for the past six seasons.
ESPN2 will televise about 20 matches per season, and ESPN Deportes two or three per weekend of league play for a total of at least 95. At least 114 matches per season will be available online on ESPN360. ESPN's networks will also share rights to Spain's Copa del Rey.
It doesn't hurt that Real Madrid has acquired Kaka, the 2007 FIFA player of the year, from AC Milan and is in the process of obtaining Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA player of the year, from Manchester United.
"We're excited that, about getting a premier league in the world at probably at the most exciting time in its recent history," said Lino Garcia, ESPN Deportes' general manager.
La Liga is dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona, the current European Champions League winner. The teams have split the last five La Liga titles and 21 of the last 25.
The league's most-watched games, the two El Classic matchups between Barcelona and Real Madrid, likely will be simulcast by GolTV and ESPN. Last season, Barcelona's 2-0 victory over Real Madrid on Dec. 13 was seen by 258,000 Hispanic television households in the U.S., and Barca's 6-2 rout on May 2 by 189,000, GolTV said.
"This was not driven by Ronaldo or Kaka," said Rodrigo Lombello, GolTV's chief operating officer. "That was a nice addition, but it would have happened without the two."
ESPN had held U.S. rights to the Champions League since 1994-95, but Fox Soccer Channel will take over next season under a three-year deal. Those matches are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while La Liga games are on weekends.
Barcelona's 2-0 victory over Manchester United in this year's Champions League final on May 27 was seen by 1,066,000 homes on ESPN.
"We've always looked at La Liga. One thing isn't totally dependent on the other," Garcia said. "It was always in the planning to look at a property like this."
GolTV also has had U.S. rights to the German Bundesliga since the 2006-07 season and last month extended them through 2011-12.
FSC has rights to England's Premier League and Italy's Serie A, sublicensing part of its Premier League rights to Setanta US..QUOTE]
I just though it was worth posting for the American fans. A move in the right direction for the developement of the sport here in the states
Sorry for the long post.. also just realized that the Premier League rights are for the U.K Only.. But hey, it would seem the will eventually bring it here and compete with FSC
