6 Reasons Why EPL Matches On ESPN Are More Exciting Than Fox Soccer Channel

fscespn 6 Reasons Why EPL Matches On ESPN Are More Exciting Than Fox Soccer Channel

What is it about the Premier League which makes it so much more exciting than other leagues? And what is it about those Premier League broadcasts on ESPN that make them more exciting than similar matches on Fox Soccer Channel?

For ESPN, maybe its the fact that the games are shown in HD (Im still annoyed that my local cable provider, Comcast, hasnt made Fox Soccer Channel HD available in my area)? But besides from the HD aspect, there are a few other reasons why I believe their broadcasts of the Premier League are more exciting than on Fox. Heres why:

  • ESPN features their own commentators. You would think that this wouldnt make much of a difference. A commentator is a commentator. But without a shadow of a doubt, ESPN commentators are more excitable than the typical TWI/IMG commentator we hear on the international feed for a Premier League match (which is what Fox Soccer Channel uses). Ian Darke is the best example. The man has so much excitement in his voice. You can tell that he really loves the sport and that hes benefited from commentating boxing matches in the past. His delivery packs several punches. When shots go agonizingly wide or in the back of the net, youre so much more excited because Darke is excited, too. Even Saturday, with Derek Rae stepping in for Darke, he has that passion running through his veins. With Rae, games feel like a matter of life and death. Theyre that important and his commentary keeps you glued to the screen. As for the commentary on Fox, it all depends who you get. For the most part, its more of a traditional English commentary which can be too quiet and sedate at times.
  • The crowd noises seem louder on ESPN. Maybe its me, but it seems that the crowd noises on Premier League matche! s shown on ESPN are much louder than Fox. I realize that the matches ESPN2 show are usually only the big matches of the weekend. But even when ESPN2 shows a 10am ET game on a Saturday, which is sometimes less intense than an early Saturday kickoff or a Monday evening match, the decibel levels seem much higher. Not only does the crowd noise sound better on ESPN, but theres far fewer crackles and pops than what I experience when listening to a Premier League broadcast by Fox. Throughout the match, the volume seems to go up and down during spells as well as the annoying crackle and pop noises.
  • The production value on ESPN is far better. The on-screen graphics, the music, the titles, the cohesion of the production everything seems so much better on ESPN than Fox.
  • Theres more build-up which adds to the excitement. ESPN does a better job of listening to its viewers and taking action. When viewers last season and this season mentioned that they loved the pre-match build-up, instead of being rushed into each broadcast, ESPN has been giving us more and more features such as pre-match interviews and shots of the players in the tunnel. Fox Soccer Channel, meanwhile, seems like they have no clue at times. In the build-up to the Newcastle United against Liverpool match, everyone wanted to hear what the crowds reaction was when Alan Pardew walked out on to the pitch. Fox didnt show it. Instead, they had Nick Webster rambling on and on about the team line-up that only minutes earlier Christian Miles and Warren Barton had told us all about.
  • Each episode seems so different. With ESPN, you never know what to expect with their Premier League broadcasts. Will we see Ian Darke and Macca live from the gantry at Anfield? Will we see Rebecca Lowe in studio in London giving us her thoughts? Will there be a half-time feature on Boltons hotel at the Reebok Stadium or the pies served at Villa Park? Will there be pre-match interviews with David Ginola, Sir Alex Fergu! son or G erard Houllier? And so on. With Fox, their Premier League broadcasts have been so predictable for years that they lack spontaneity and excitement. You can set your watch to exactly what will happen before the match, at half time and after the match is over.
  • Having the cameras at the ground adds more excitement. Its one thing having ESPN UKs crew at the ground where the broadcast is being beamed from, but Ive also enjoyed seeing the crowd shots that ESPN show before matches and during half time of just regular fans enjoying the game. It makes the broadcast seem more human and something you can relate to a personal basis. Bottom line, its a nice touch and its something that Fox can only do when the IMG/TWI cameras oblige.

    • What do you think? Is watching Premier League matches on US television on ESPN more exciting than Fox Soccer Channel? If so, are there more reasons why ESPN is more exciting other than those that Ive listed above? Share your opinions in the comments section below.

    Related posts:

  • Should Fox Soccer Channel Do An ESPN-Style Premier League Production?
  • ESPN Continues to Improve Its Premier League Production for US Viewers
  • Fox Soccer Channel in HD on DirecTV Opening Weekend Observations



    • Watch Free Live Soccer Football Matches Online Here

    Comments

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    Blackburn 3 - Liverpool 1 - Roy Hodgson: They think it's all Rover

    Blackburn 3 - Liverpool 1 LIVERPOOL boss Roy Hodgsons job was left hanging by a thread last light after this bashing at Blackburn. Blackburn heaped the pressure on former manager Hodgson as they raced into a deserved 2-0 half-time lead. Speculation has been rife about the 63-year-olds future for weeks and goals from Martin Olsson and a double from Benjani did little to help. Steven Gerrard scored what proved to be just a late consolation with nine minutes to go when he fired in from the edge of the box. But the Liverpool skipper blazed a penalty over the bar fi ve minutes from time after he had been clipped in the area by Michel Salgado. Liverpool midfi elder Joe Cole made his ...
    Keep reading

    Did Steven Gerrard Miss His Penalty Kick On Purpose?

    Image
    Video: PL Highlights: Blackburn/Liverpool Watching Steven Gerrard walk up to the spot to take the penalty late in the game against Blackburn Rovers, I was confident he would score for Liverpool. When faced with adversity, Gerrard often rises to the occasion. Earlier in the season, Gerrard cooly slotted home a penalty against fiercest rivals Manchester United even though the vast majority at Old Trafford was begging him to miss. Except Gerrards penalty against Blackburn didnt go according to script. After Gerrard pulled one back for Liverpool and then won a penalty, the Reds had a chance with five minutes left to find an equalizer. That is, if Gerrard could first slot the penalty away. But he didnt and the ball sailed over the bar. Usually I dont question a players character, but in this particular instance with a chance to put Liverpool in the ascendency, Gerrard flubbed his shot. Now whether he did this on purpose or not, well probably never know. I respect the man as a footballer, ...
    Keep reading

    Magath Looks Up As Schalke Slump Comes To An End

    Image
    Felix Magath Is The Man To Lead Schalke To Success This Season Despite An Awful Start. Schalke ended a five-match losing streak on Wednesday evening after they pulled off a last-minute win away to Freiburg. Few could see, after so many disappointing defeats, how Magaths side would be able to pick themselves up with morale seemingly in the dumps throughout the squad. Despite that, Felix Magaths side grabbed their first win of the season and will now have their eyes on a push towards the Bundesliga summit. While its unlikely, Schalke have an x-factor that makes them a real dark-horse for the Bundesliga title this season. That x-factor is Felix Magath. In the 20082009 season, Magath was head coach at VfL Wolfsburg, a side who had never before won the Bundesliga. Magath changed that. In the most unlikely way, Felix Magath led Wolfsburg to their very first Bundesliga title which is definitely an achievement that will make Magath a massive part of history with Die Wolfe. The year after, in t...
    Keep reading