Comments on: NBC Universal acquires exclusive English Premier League rights in United States

By: tracylake2002

tracylake2002 — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 14:50:06 +0000

English premiere league have a great attraction to soccer loving people.They have the teams of having same potential line up for matches.They have many popular clubs such as Man city,Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool,Arsenal, Tottenham.All these club have many valuable and talented players.The matches of EPL represents exciting moment.Most of the matches are so much exciting for the viewers.I congratulates their next step in US.

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:32:18 +0000

@fblovinyankee

You sure love Ian Darke, don’t you?

I must admit he is a great football sportscaster who knows what to say, how to say it and most importantly when not to say anything at all when the situation requires it. I don’t like to criticize American sportscasters because they are contributing to our sport. They must realize babbling nonsense info or anecdotes during a game only makes it feel worthless. Stick to the main thing, narrate the game.

By: fblovinyankee

fblovinyankee — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 03:56:07 +0000

DO NOT SCREW THIS UP NBC. The very best commentator of English football, hell any football, is Ian Darke! Steal him from ESPN – buy him a home in the U. S. pay him piles of money!!! His pairing with Steve McManaman on ESPN2 is the reason to get up at Saturday 6:30am cst to watch a match. Ian Darke can make the dullest of matches seem grand – his personality, knowledge of the sport and bloody fabulous use of the english language cannot be matched. NBC do not make the mistake of utilizing american former players who do not have first hand knowledge of the EPL, England and European football and its history. I will watch because I adore football and EPL football in particular but I will mute that bloody tv if you leave it to the likes of former MSL players and american commentators and watch matches in silence. It so frustrating to live in america and have European football left to the likes of amateurs and the bloody mysterious from Quatar!!!

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:09:24 +0000

ROTFLMAO, whatever hater!

By: chmba

chmba — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:38:19 +0000

GREAT!!! Now they won’t be cluttering up ESPN and I can watch real sports.

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:07:11 +0000

@tottenhamhotspursfan

To ask for cricket at this point, it’s asking too much too soon. Let NBC develop the sport and both league’s (MLS/EPL) popularity before pushing the envelope.

By: tottenhamhotspursfan

tottenhamhotspursfan — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:27:07 +0000

You’ve just made a seriously good move signing Barclay’s Premier League! Now if you could just get some cricket on too, you’d be batting 1000!

Thanks

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:04:41 +0000

@sinc79

Who does America love again?

By: sinc79

sinc79 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:15:19 +0000

@Mark Lazarus

I’m 33 and affluent. Ian Darke introduced me to the World Cup and the EPL. If you actually listen really carefully to him, he’s probably the best commentator in all of sports. He’s factual, has historical references, has amazing quirky British sayings (I learn a new one every game), and has made already made some timeless calls (see the World Cup and Man City 2011).

I guess what I want to say is that I like watching the EPL, but I have to watch every game he and Macca call on ESPN now. If you can deliver Sir Ian and while I’m at it, Macca too, you will have that must-watch broadcast every network surely seeks.

#KeepDarkeInMyLivingRoom

By: sinc79

sinc79 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:59:17 +0000

@NBC Sports

America loves Ian Darke! I’ll say it again, America loves Ian Darke. I’ll actually say it a third time, America loves Ian Darke. Now go get him.

#DarkeForNBC

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:38:13 +0000

@wfjackson3

Let’s hope NBC works on making it easy to access games online and via smart phones without much issues.

By: wfjackson3

wfjackson3 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:13:03 +0000

The one thing that bothers me about losing ESPN is that they are the only network with semi-competent online viewing options.

By: themajorleagueblog

themajorleagueblog — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:46:01 +0000

So, I’m assuming the plan is, air 4 games every Saturday.
One on Telemundo
Two on NBCSN
One on NBCSports.com
With a possible game on NBC or Mun2
With a game on Sunday.

To fill the Fox Sports/ESPN void.

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:38:50 +0000

American commentators are different breed when it comes to football, aka soccer, since they are pre-programmed based on other sports which have time outs; Therefore, some think babbling around with senseless information is important to fans and they take it too far at times which diminishes the broadcast quality. In other words, some do not know when to keep quiet at times. The worst of them all was John Harkes whom was boring too.

By: jpcarp5

jpcarp5 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:46:38 +0000

Yes!! Thankyou nbc!!

By: avalenc6

avalenc6 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:14:09 +0000

@kookley I completely agree. I don’t like most of the American commentators and hope they find some good British commentators like Martin Tyler or Ian Darke.

By: kookley

kookley — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:52:54 +0000

NBC sport coverage is generally pretty good. Whom they choose as commentators for the BPL coverage will make or break their soccer coverage, though. Most American soccer commentators sound like they do not know anything about soccer. A mix of American and British commentators is a must. Maybe they should bring over Ian Darke and Macca from ESPN.

By: themajorleagueblog

themajorleagueblog — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:59:18 +0000

Finally, I already anticipated a move like this(back when I wrote my own articles). I love NBC’s coverage of leagues, and the PL is one of the most prestigious in the world. Just change that game clock, and you are set.

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:16:15 +0000

NBC, the main channel, will make sure to show only the main and most attractive matches. The remainder will be spread out on NBCSN/Telemundo and its other affiliates. NBC will show games via the website and phone video streams. Nothing to worry fellows! Change can bring uncertainty at times, but this change will be for the better. Now it will up to all football fans to make sure to tune in to the games and bring big tv rating$ which it’s what this is all about in the end.

By: koonstheman

koonstheman — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:53:08 +0000

My first reaction is negative. I won’t miss the Fox in-studio clown ship, but I don’t see how NBC will fit a Saturday and Sunday load onto a schedule brimming with long-established college football and political shows. I fear what happened when I thought, as an avid cycling fan, that I could watch that sport and others on Universal, only to see it shipped off onto satellite packages only. The best is if the NBC Sports Network itself shows it, and with the original announcers, and certainly without any involvement by the pompous Bob Costas. What about Al Michaels doing a game here and there? In one hour, he’d wonder loudly why there isn’t instant replay in this sport. It certainly needs someone to move it from the 19th century.

By: jonathan042012

jonathan042012 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:43:02 +0000

I have waited 40 years for this. As a ex player and coach, I had Toby Charles (tremendous commentator) and Soccer Made in Germany on public access, (at wicked hours of the morning) , or Spanish TV, I hope they keep a good knowledgeable staff on board,( I endorse Ian Darke, Mac, and all the great English ones, I like Twellman also) and the rest will work out. what a great sign for soccer in USA, Players going over there, them coming here, it will inspire kids, we could have a Great National Team, and players sooner then later. And for old Fans like me,..wow!!!yippee mainstream football!!!!

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:28:20 +0000

@olvera32066

NBC knows there’s money to be made with the EPL and they are taking the steps to become a pioneer to talke EPL football to the next level in the states. I can feel comfortable they will keep high profile sportscasters away who are not knowledgeable about this type of football and will be hiring the best of the best. Otherwise, their investment will not be worth it. This EPL season has barely begin and i can’t wait for the 2013/2014 season already. (Big Grin)

By: hjdiet

hjdiet — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:23:20 +0000

Wow…This is huge… The EPL is going to loose a lot of exposure. .ESPN couldn’t keep this contract?? and where was Fox Soccer? Would love to know what NBC/Universal paid for this.
Wonder if they’ll do what FSC does and pick up the EPL feeds…

By: olvera32066

olvera32066 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:11:09 +0000

this will be very cool, and apparently there’s $$$ in this or else why would they be doing it.

The only thing that is going to suck is when they bring in BOB COSTAS, when it comes to futbol he is a serious doof !!

this guy had the nerve to call BEBETO, a PELE wannabe.
I haven’t been able to respect his low statured hobbit looking self since

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:01:54 +0000

@bizhan53

No worries. I am sure NBC, the flagship network, will make sure to show the juiciest EPL matches while delegating the remainder in their plethora of affiliate channels including Telemundo in Spanish.
Per a NYtimes article, about 200 games will be televised on the NBC networks in six time periods on Saturday, Sunday and Monday during the league’s 10 month season. The rest will be available online or in some other packages, one of them probably pay-per-view.

I hope the last part of that sentence is not true though.

By: bizhan53

bizhan53 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:49:15 +0000

Well, all I can say is no more soccer on Saturday and Sunday , I don’t thing NBC is going show 3 or 4 soccer came on Saturday like FOX soccer channel did I hope I am wrong if not good buy soccer:(

By: footballer4ever

footballer4ever — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:26:42 +0000

Wow! This is definitely awesome news. For all of you nervous about the “change”, don’t be. NBC is not going to spend $250 for 3 years in vain and not treat it with the up-most respect it needs. Fox and ESPN did a goid job of growing the game, but somehow seem to be satisfied to having it as a portofolio to get only return$, but not something they want to go above and beyond. With the way NBC has treated MLS broadcasts, i have no fear EPL will do the same and better which will benefit everyone involved in this game called football that we adored.

By: avalenc6

avalenc6 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:15:55 +0000

Idk how to feel about this. I like fox because as an online subscriber I get to watch the replays to every game for at least a week. I hope NBC will provide the same service and show all the major games on regular tv.

By: arbeck

arbeck — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:58:41 +0000

You do realize NBC Sports is in more home than Fox Soccer? More people will have access to EPL games now than before. Plus NBC has no pro football airing that would compete. Their only college football is Notre Dame home games which would rarely compete. I imagine that if NBC had the rights this year, you would have seen an EPL double header Saturday followed by a MLS double header.

By: tylerbetts

tylerbetts — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:56:52 +0000

NBC, I think, has proven the biggest commitment to soccer growth in the US. Between Fox feeling the need to bring in Michael Strahan before the Champions’ League final to explain how football is like football, and ESPN treating soccer like an obligation, I didn’t really care for either platform (outside of the tremendous Ian Darke, that is). NBC has provided a great platform. MLS games on NBC proper. Arlo White being … well .. Arlo White. And, let’s be honest, PST is a lot better than anything we get on ESPN.

I like this move. I like it a lot. I think for growing the game – and MLS – NBC is the right venue.