Spoiler:
US sports broadcaster ESPN has released details of its World Cup 2010 television coverage - I'll be posting it below. We are getting FULL COVERAGE! This is great news for the few of you out there who are American soccer fans. Here’s why:
In other countries, you can take it for granted that football is a big deal and so the World Cup will be treated accordingly by your broadcaster. Not so much in the USA. The fact that ESPN is taking it seriously is to me a measure of the progress of soccer in America.
So what have they done?
1st, they've snagged Sky Sports legend Martin Tyler to be the lead commentator. Which is a coup. The man knows his business, so there will be no “Michael Beckham” faux pas this year.
2nd, ESPN has confirmed that ALL 64 matches will be broadcast live...in high definition...on either ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC.
3rd, of those 64 matches, 52 will be simulcast online at ESPN360.com. Which means many many Americans with be able to either secretly or not so secretly watch games at work 100% legally and in high quality (although the service is only available via certain internet providers). The only games not simulcast on ESPN360.com will be those being screened on ABC only. In which case, all you need is a TV and some bunny ears.
4th, every World Cup 2010 match will get a pre-game, half-time and post-game show, broadcast live and on location (which hasn’t always been the case).
All I can say is, we've come a long way, baby. Go USA!
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