6 things about ESPN's coverage of the 2011/12 EPL season

I caught up this week with an ESPN spokesperson to find out what their plans are for the 2011-12 Premier League season. Here are the six important updates I learned:

1. The Saturday early kickoffs will continue to feature 15 minutes of pre-game review and analysis. So anytime there’s a 7:45am ET kickoff, the pre-game analysis will begin at 7:30am ET. Once the final whistle blows, there’ll also be post match review and analysis, just like last season,
2. Ian Darke and Steve McManaman will remain as ESPN’s lead commentator team. ESPN will continue to have pre-match coverage with them live from the ground,
3. Coverage will also feature an on-site reporter, primarily Darrell Currie but there will be some different on-site reporters thrown into the mix over the course of the season,
4. Premier League telecasts will have a new graphics look. It’ll be consistent with ESPN’s MLS and US soccer presentations,
5. ESPN will continue to delve into the rich history of all 20 clubs in the Premier League,
6. And, last but not least, I have it on good authority that Ian Darke and Steve McManaman are looking forward to traveling to a different country — Wales — to commentate a Premier League match from Swansea City’s ground (YES!).

For the latest TV schedule featuring games on ESPN2, FOX Soccer, FOX Soccer Plus and FOXSoccer.tv, go here.

Meanwhile, ESPN2 will kick off its coverage of the 2011-12 Premier Legue on Saturday at 9:30am ET with live coverage of Fulham against Aston Villa.