EPL fans

[ChicosBailBonds]

This was announced last month, but got more details on it yesterday when meeting with NBC Sports.  If you are an EPL fan some big changes coming to the States.  They are going to make available (more on that later) all 380 EPL games in USA for the first time this season.  Between NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC, MSNBC, USA as well as overflow (more on that later) all the games will be broadcast in this country from August until May.

Content will also be authenticated so if you subscribe to those channels, you can watch them on second screen devices.  The old Fox package that allowed customers to bypass distributors and simply order the games for their PC's directly is gone, you must be a subscriber of a cable, satellite or telco company.


So, does this mean you will actually get all 380 games?  That depends on the overflow channels and who will carry them.  Bandwidth or capacity is not an endless source, each distributor has limitations.  To get all the games, distributors would have to create overflow channels during games and allow for content to be played there.  Most distributors don't have capacity just laying around idle to do this, so tradeoffs are required in one sense of another.  It will be interesting to see who carries all or most of the games, but if you are an EPL fan a lot of content is coming your way, it's just a matter of how much based on who you subscribe to.  Futbol fans rejoice.

[GGGG]

Will Direct TV carry the overflow channels?

This is a pretty bold move by NBC Sports.  European soccer is clearly growing as a television product here, but my guess is that it is still a pretty niche product.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Will Direct TV carry the overflow channels?

This is a pretty bold move by NBC Sports.  European soccer is clearly growing as a television product here, but my guess is that it is still a pretty niche product.

That remains to be seen.  If I had to guess, no provider will carry them all...just a guess.  Some will carry some of the overflow channels.  Again, just a guess.  To make those overflow channels available something else has to come down and usually those are used for revenue generating units or contractually required content, so it's not an easy tradeoff.

[Hards Alumni]

Makes me happy, I'll get to see more Gunners games without paying more than I already do.... hopefully.

Now if the club would spend some money.

[MU B2002]

Gunners, good choice.  Thought they were going to blow it last weekend.

[Eldon]

Makes me happy, I'll get to see more Gunners games without paying more than I already do.... hopefully.

Now if the club would spend some money.

Firstrowsports is free and it has epl games.

[chren21]

Still disappointed spurs finished 5th...

[Hards Alumni]

Still disappointed spurs finished 5th...

While I'm thrilled.

[reinko]

Firstrowsports is free and it has epl games.

Audio only is better than 90% of those feeds.

[MUDPT]

Gunners here too.  Whatever the overflow channels are, can't see any of the Big Six clubs on those.  I think every Arsenal game was on FSC or ESPN2 this year, except home Swansea and Southampton, and maybe one more.  Don't think NBC will put ManUre on CNBC while Crystal Palace and Sunderland battle on NBC.