Looks like ESPN lost again (if they even really tried) because Fox Soccer Channel will have exclusive US broadcast rights for Premier League matches from 2010-13. The announcement seems to be the final nail in the Setanta US coffin as there is no indication that Setanta US will have any rights during this period, and the company already lost some of its matches to ESPN this year.
It seems that further licensing of matches by Fox Soccer would be likely as they could not show all games. Perhaps the current arrangement with ESPN will continue and ESPN will not have to outlay significant sums to acquire only a portion of the broadcast rights.
Though not mentioned in there, FSC is supposed to go to HD soon, right?
Yes, I believe the timeframe mentioned before was January 2010.
I wonder if FSC can start using the regional Fox channels for Sat mornings like they do for Champs league? Because those are already in HD. I can’t wait until Setanta US folds it up, as they seem to get all the Arsenal games this year.
I’ve been impressed with the breadth of game selection this year, actually. They seem to sort of know what they’re doing.
agree. I think the FSC coverage has been pretty balanced this year. It’ll get top and bottom-table heavy towards the end of the season though, understandably. however, hock, as a partisan, I’d like to see Arsenal get on ESPN already. Me wants to put my plasma to good use already!