Peacock monopolizes Premier League opening weekend schedule

Fans of Premier League clubs looking forward to the opening weekend of the 2022/23 season may be in for a surprise. Out of the ten matches scheduled August 5-7, only two of them are on television. And neither of those games are on over-the-air television. If you haven’t gotten a Peacock Premium subscription yet, now is the time to make the move unless you want to miss out.

Due to NBC’s extensive coverage of the 2022 Women’s Open golf tournament, only two games are on USA Network. The timing of the golf competition is unfortunate. That’s because the opening weekend of soccer, one week earlier than usual due to the World Cup, is NBCUniversal’s first of a new six-year TV rights deal with the Premier League. Excitement levels for the new soccer season are at a high. Thankfully, the golf tournament is short lived. Normal television service should resume in gameweek two.

World Soccer Talk reached out to NBC Sports for comment. “As in past years, the match schedule varies by week across platforms, including Peacock, which features extensive coverage of live games, studio shows, full match replays and more,” a NBC Sports spokesperson explained.

Television’s loss is Peacock’s gain

With NBCSN shuttered last year, NBC Sports have fewer options to broadcast games on television. Nevertheless, Peacock TV subscribers should be pleased at the Premier League schedule.

Some of the matches featured exclusively on Peacock include:

1) Fulham vs Liverpool
2) West Ham vs Manchester City
3) Spurs vs Southampton, and
4) Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest, among other matches.

Broadcasting on the USA Network, the two games are Crystal Palace against Arsenal and Everton versus Chelsea.

Talent appearing on Premier League opening weekend

Going into its tenth year of broadcasting the Premier League, NBC Sports have made two changes to their talent lineup. Danny Higginbotham has been hired in a more permanent role as a studio analyst alongside Tim Howard, Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe. Meanwhile, Arlo White’s contract was not renewed, with the accomplished Peter Drury taking the reins instead.

Drury, Lee Dixon and Graeme Le Saux call three games together during the opening weekend. Those matches are Palace vs Arsenal, Everton vs Chelsea and West Ham versus Manchester City.

Meanwhile, presenter Rebecca Lowe has renewed her contract with NBC Sports.

This season, Peacock (available for $4.99/month) will once again stream all games airing on the NBC broadcast network live. In addition, Peacock will feature studio shows, full match replays and the Premier League TV channel. All matchdays and windows exclusively on Peacock will feature NBC Sports’ Premier League studio coverage.

Coverage plans for the opening weekend of the Premier League

In the build up to the opening weekend of the Premier League season, World Soccer Talk has several exciting plans in store. Our popular World Soccer Talk Podcast will be previewing all 20 teams ahead of the new season. We also have extensive coverage plans that we will be launching next week, including our weekly schedule of commentators for Premier League matches. Plus, if you want to attend a Premier League match in person, get our free travel guide. Last but not least, play the Fantasy Premier League to compete against World Soccer Talk.

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