<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2018/01/29/fa-cup-rights-in-us-could-switch-to-streaming-only-beginning-in-2018-19-season/fa-cup-5th-round/" rel="attachment wp-att-232053"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2018/01/29/fa-cup-rights-in-us-could-switch-to-streaming-only-beginning-in-2018-19-season/fa-cup-5th-round/" rel="attachment wp-att-232053"><img loading="lazy" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20180129_WST_232026_fa-cup-5th-round-600x338.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=338" alt="" width="600" height="338" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-232053" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/01/fa-cup-5th-round-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/01/fa-cup-5th-round-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/01/fa-cup-5th-round-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/01/fa-cup-5th-round-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/01/fa-cup-5th-round-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/01/fa-cup-5th-round.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure></div>
When it comes to the future of the FA Cup television and streaming rights in the United States, the FA’s slogan for this season’s FA Cup tournament, “Nothing is Certain,” is quite apt.
FOX Sports deal with the Football Association (FA) for rights to the FA Cup in the US market expires at the end of this season. The competition it can be strongly argued has failed to benefit from the surging popularity of the Premier League in the United States thanks in large measure to being stuck on FOX’s family of networks while the league itself has enjoyed a boom since moving from FOX Soccer to NBC Sports in 2013. 
Our World Soccer Talk sources understand that worldwide media broker IMG is exploring the idea of selling the US rights to the competition to a pay streaming service. Whether it is Amazon’s Prime Video platform, <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/08/02/bein-sports-espnbamtech-championship-tv-rights-says-source/">BAMTech</a> or the soon-to-be launched ESPN Plus (or some other entity such as Facebook), it’s unclear as talks are still continuing at this time. perhaps including Facebook who has recently shown interest in acquiring rights to air soccer matches. 
Amazon could be interested given that they are filming a behind-the-scenes documentary about Manchester City this season to air to Prime subscribers at a future date. Acquiring rights to a soccer competition on top of the exclusive documentary would be an ideal complement and an important building block as it continues to slowly acquire more <a href="http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/11/15/amazon-continues-foray-tennis-broadcasting-uk-rights-us-open/">rights to stream world sports</a>.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on Turner Sports to see if it tries to picks up the FA Cup rights for a minimal fee and add it to the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/08/18/turner-sports-champions-league-faq-big-changes-us-soccer-fans/">soon-to-be-launched pay service</a> that will include all UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches not aired live on TNT, TBS or TruTV. Close to 80% of matches in Europe’s two largest continental club competitions will be <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/08/17/going-cost-watch-soccer-turners-champions-league-deal/">behind a paywall for US viewers</a> beginning in the 2018-19 season. 
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/soccer-streaming-sites-free-trials/"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/soccer-streaming-sites-free-trials/"><img class="aligncenter" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20180129_WST_232026_soccer-trials-468.webp&amp;width=500&amp;height=310"></a></figure></div>
A World Soccer Talk source indicated the FA is impressed by the scope of the English Football League’s (EFL) deal with BAMTech that includes rights to the Carabao Cup. BAMTech has sub-licensed the rights to Disney-owned ESPN who have streamed on average four EFL Championship matches per round on ESPN3 in the United States in addition to streaming on average six to eight early stage Carabao Cup matches per round on ESPN3. The deal also gives the flexibility to move bigger matches to a larger platform as recent games involving the likes of Arsenal, Bristol City, Chelsea and Manchester City have been moved to ESPN2 or ESPN Deportes. 
However the lure to The FA of BAMTech acquiring the FA Cup rights could be a mistake if all of the games available are placed behind the ESPN Plus paywall for the 2018/19 season onwards, thus reducing the visibility of the competition and not getting the same opportunity to feature a few select games on ESPN2 or ESPN Deportes as BAMTech has been doing this season for the League Cup.
In the last few years, the FA Cup Final from Wembley has been aired on the FOX broadcast network, which has given an increased exposure to what was once considered the biggest match of the year in English football. But the earlier stages of the tournament including this past weekend’s 4th Round have suffered from indifferent promotion by FOX Sports as well as a lack of interest from soccer fans. This is despite the reality that in most years, bigger clubs have advanced deep in the competition and each of the last four FA Cups have been won by either Arsenal or Manchester United, two of the most popular soccer clubs on American soil. 
Much of the lack of interest in the competition’s earlier stages isn’t necessarily the fault of FOX Sports. Fewer and fewer teams are taking the FA Cup 3rd and 4th rounds seriously. While public perception and lazy narratives indicate it is just the top teams who take a lackadaisical attitude toward the early stages of the competition, in fact it’s just about every team in the Premier League who is either fighting for European qualification or against relegation as well as every Championship side fighting for promotion. As a result, many of the teams field weakened sides. For FOX Sports, they’ve had the opportunity to show some giant killings but often those matches involve heavily-rotated Premier League or Championship sides facing League One or League Two clubs. 
The FA Cup once provided unmatched drama and fan interest, making the matches a strong complement to the general interest in English football that was growing in the United States. However, more recently with so much interest in the league itself as well as the unparalleled coverage NBC has provided, the FA Cup is an afterthought to many fans. 
Also hampering FOX is the limitations on televised matches in the competition. Unable to offer the type of comprehensive coverage of multiple games at once that characterize most European football coverage in the US as well as the Carabao Cup on ESPN3, the FA Cup despite FOX’s best efforts seems to happen in isolation, in a vacuum. Given the tight programming schedule FS1 and FS2 already are under during the FA Cup early rounds due to college basketball and Bundesliga commitments, seeing FOX let the FA Cup go without much of a fight would not be shocking. 
However, where the FA Cup lands next on American television or in the growing world of live sports on streaming platforms is anyone’s guess. FOX Sports remains a consideration, but Amazon, BAMTech, Turner Sports, Facebook and perhaps others certainly would love to add the FA Cup to whatever other properties they are able to bundle behind a paywall for US viewers. 
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">Schedule of FA Cup games on US TV and streaming</a>

FA Cup rights in US could switch to streaming-only - World Soccer Talk

FA Cup rights in US could switch to streaming-only

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beIN SPORTS grew its overall reach in 2017 by 9%, increasing the total viewers from 71 million in 2016 to 77.2 million in 2017.
The 9% increase is impressive considering that the total number of households the English-language network is in has declined during the past twelve months (similar to other TV networks across the United States). As of December 2016, beIN SPORTS was in 23.3 million homes compared to 22 million as of November 2017. While the English-language network saw a drop in number of subscribers, the Spanish-language beIN SPORTS en Español saw an increase from 18.2 million in December 2016 to 18.4 million in November 2017.
With more than half a million minutes watched in 2017, beIN SPORTS networks have the highest percentage of soccer programming among all other cable sports networks in the United States. There’s no doubt that a large contributing factor to the growth of viewership on beIN SPORTS was the extensive coverage of LaLiga. Every Real Madrid and Barcelona match continues to be shown on both beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español each weekend during the season. In fact, beIN SPORTS en Español’s live coverage of LaLiga matches delivered an average 116,000 total viewers per telecast, a 4% increase from 2016.
The top-performing match on beIN SPORTS en Español, outside of El Clásico, was Real Madrid vs. Valencia on October 14 delivering 281,000 viewers.
beIN SPORTS also benefitted from its coverage of the World Cup qualifiers. Some of the highlights include: beIN SPORTS en Español’s coverage of the World Cup Qualifiers delivered 167,000 total viewers per telecast, while the World Cup qualifier playoffs delivered an average of 432,000 total viewers. beIN Sports Español aired nine of the top-15 most-viewed World Cup qualifiers among all networks, regardless of language.
In 2017, beIN SPORTS celebrated its fifth year anniversary. The year was marked by continued expansion and a growing appeal among younger sports fans, attracting a younger audience than most cable sports networks, according to Nielsen.

beIN SPORTS viewership increases by 9% during 2017 - World Soccer Talk

beIN SPORTS viewership increases by 9% during 2017

<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/12/11/espn-go-network-world-cup-analysis-instead-rights-holder-fox-sports/fifa-world-cup-draw-espn/" rel="attachment wp-att-228540"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/12/11/espn-go-network-world-cup-analysis-instead-rights-holder-fox-sports/fifa-world-cup-draw-espn/" rel="attachment wp-att-228540"><img loading="lazy" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20171212_WST_228404_fifa-world-cup-draw-espn-600x338.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=338" alt="" width="600" height="338" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-228540" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/12/fifa-world-cup-draw-espn-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/12/fifa-world-cup-draw-espn-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/12/fifa-world-cup-draw-espn-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/12/fifa-world-cup-draw-espn-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/12/fifa-world-cup-draw-espn-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/12/fifa-world-cup-draw-espn.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure></div>
For immediate analysis on TV after the FIFA World Cup Draw wrapped up on December 1, soccer fans in the United States had several choices to choose from. For most of them, the easiest way was to continue watching the coverage on FOX Sports 1. However, the viewers “voted” by watching the analysis on a completely different network —&nbsp;one that doesn’t even have the rights to the FIFA 2018 World Cup.
The World Cup Draw wrap-up show on ESPN2 was watched by more viewers than the Draw itself on FS1. And importantly, ESPN2’s broadcast doubled the viewership from FS1’s post draw analysis show. On FOX, besides the commentary regarding “under-the radar” players by Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas (both of whom ironically picked guys from Liverpool who are nowhere near under the radar for the average Premier League viewer), nothing of real cutting-edge insight was discussed. In contrast, the ESPNFC program airing on ESPN2 hosted by Dan Thomas featured hard-hitting analysis and even an argumentative segment on former colleague (and now Belgium Coach) Roberto Martinez when the Belgian’s prospects for winning the World Cup were discussed. 
ESPN has a plethora of soccer talent still on staff despite losing the rights to FIFA events and several other properties. Thomas was joined on the set by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop, Gab Marcotti, Stewart Robson, Herculez Gomez, Alejandro Moreno, Steve Nicol and (via satellite) Taylor Twellman (in Seattle) and Ian Darke (in London). All contributed to this special. The discussion points were reminiscent of the type of detailed on-air analysis the network gave during the draw four and eight years ago. 
Based on the final numbers (Telemundo &amp; Universo’s broadcast of the World Cup Draw averaged 370,000 total viewers, outperforming FS1’s broadcast by 6X), many soccer fans chose to either not watch the draw at all or watch it in Spanish on Telemundo, then flip over to ESPN2 rather than FS1 for analysis. ESPN’s team of analysts is tried-and-tested, and particularly in Marcotti and Robson have two highly-respected professionals on both sides of the Atlantic with an in-depth of knowledge of the sport globally that is difficult to equal on English language television anywhere in the world. ESPN has always been conscious of bringing expertise and varied perspectives to the coverage of international soccer. While some have argued ESPN’s coverage is “eurocentric,” it has essentially reflected the best talent you can gather in the English language. French, German, Italian, Brazilian and Spanish-based or centric journalists fluent in English often join the ESPN coverage to lend their expertise on the game and their nations. 
Amid a whole bunch of news Friday morning, and without U.S. Soccer going to Russia, FS1 drew 65,000 viewers for the 2018 World Cup Draw. Four years ago on ESPN2, the draw got 489,000 viewers. After this year’s draw, ESPN2 got 86,000 for post-draw special compared to 43,000 on FS1.
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/soccer-streaming-sites-free-trials/"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/soccer-streaming-sites-free-trials/"><img class="aligncenter" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20171212_WST_228404_soccer-trials-468.webp&amp;width=500&amp;height=310"></a></figure></div>
In comparison, FOX Sports coverage of international soccer is distinctly American and often conducted with red, white and blue tinted glasses. That’s an unmistakable reality that has led the broadcaster to appear as on-air cheerleaders for the US Men’s and Women’s National Team and offer very little critical analysis of the teams. Running parallel to this is FOX’s talent: All are based in the United States, and the ones that are trotted out in front of the cameras have little experience covering domestic leagues in Europe or South America on a regular basis. 
As the English language rights-holder for FIFA events in United States in its first of three cycles that came at a cost of $500 million, FOX Sports has tried to create its own feel to the events which for two decades were broadcast on the ESPN family of networks. The consequence of this has been general skepticism among core soccer fans, an audience FOX Sports has often offended though FOX has historically carried more soccer than any other US broadcaster. The attachment to the US teams which has been sprinkled with a lack of critical analysis and a seeming lack of interest or even respect for the opposition has now bitten FOX Sports badly. The United States has missed the FIFA World Cup in 2018, and the broadcaster seems to have lost its footing as to how to move forward. While it’s obvious to some of us that cover the industry closely that FOX’s coverage has actually improved in the past few years, most core-soccer fans whose perspectives of the game are not dictated by the US Men’s National Team or MLS probably disagree with this premise. 
For ESPN, despite losing FIFA World Cup rights, an opportunity still exists to have nightly review and wrap-up shows on site from Russia that can poach some of the FS1 or FOX audience. Granted, having the lead-in of a match rather than a draw benefits FOX, but viewers have now demonstrated, perhaps unsurprisingly, a willingness to flip the channel and watch ESPN to get the analysis they crave about the biggest sporting event on the planet. 
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ESPN could be go-to network for World Cup analysis - World Soccer Talk

ESPN could be go-to network for World Cup analysis

<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/11/30/telemundo-deportes-reveals-world-cup-tv-coverage-details/telemundo-world-cup/" rel="attachment wp-att-227620"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/11/30/telemundo-deportes-reveals-world-cup-tv-coverage-details/telemundo-world-cup/" rel="attachment wp-att-227620"><img loading="lazy" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20171130_WST_227618_telemundo-world-cup-600x286.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=286" alt="" width="600" height="286" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-227620" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/11/telemundo-world-cup-600x286.png 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/11/telemundo-world-cup-150x72.png 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/11/telemundo-world-cup-300x143.png 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/11/telemundo-world-cup-768x367.png 768w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/11/telemundo-world-cup-200x95.png 200w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/11/telemundo-world-cup.png 844w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure></div>
Ahead of Friday’s <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/11/16/fifa-world-cup-draw-air-live-telemundo-deportes-universo-december-1/">FIFA World Cup Draw that will be televised live</a> on Telemundo and Universo beginning at 9:30am ET, Telemundo Deportes has announced more details regarding its coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
With the network having the exclusive Spanish-language TV rights in the United States, Telemundo Deportes will televise 56 of the 64 World Cup games on Telemundo, which is available as an over-the-air channel as well as on many cable and satellite providers. Of the eight matches that Telemundo Deportes will not be showing on the Telemundo channel, those games will be shown live on Universo (the eight matches are kicking off at the same time as other World Cup games on Telemundo).
In addition to showing the matches, Telemundo will have 17 hours of 2018 World Cup coverage per day, which will total over 500 hours of World Cup-related programming across Telemundo and Universo as well as more than 1,000 hours of original content across Telemundo Deportes’ digital platforms.
To say that Telemundo is delivering world-class commitment to World Cup 2018 is doing them a slight disservice. Telemundo is completely all in on the World Cup.
Telemundo Deportes also announced its first ever daily special prime-time show exclusively dedicated to World Cup, live on Telemundo. Airing nightly at 7 p.m. ET on Telemundo, throughout the duration of the tournament, the show marks the first time ever a U.S. broadcaster of the World Cup produces a prime time show solely dedicated to the World Cup.
Plus, Telemundo Deportes’ digital platforms will provide more than 1,000 hours of content including a live stream of all Telemundo Deportes’ programming, exclusive short- and long-form content, highlights and more.
All 64 matches, in addition to the pre/post programming, will stream live via the Telemundo Deportes En Vivo app and TelemundoDeportes.com available on desktops, tablets, and connected TV’s — including Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/11/15/kickoff-times-world-cup-2018/">Kickoff times for World Cup games on US TV and streaming</a>
For the first time ever, a full-service virtual reality app will be available for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. The VR app enables fans to enjoy select content from a virtual VIP suite through a super wide angle feed, experiencing the best of both worlds: feeling like being at the stadium, while watching the high-quality TV signal. A wide variety of VR content produced for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia will be available in the VR app: 2D feeds, 180° views, 360° short-form video content and near-live multi-angle clips.
Telemundo will be covering all angles of the event with production sites across Russia’s most iconic locations. Red Square, Moscow’s historic plaza, will be the home of Telemundo Deportes’ programming, including the production of all the pre, post and halftime shows while Telemundo’s daytime programming will also originate from Moscow. In addition, Telemundo will have support studios at the World Cup International Broadcast Center and unique integrations from Telemundo Center, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises’ new, state-of-the-art headquarters Miami, FL.
With the entire team of play-by-play commentators and expert analysts in Russia throughout the tournament, Telemundo Deportes will produce all 64 matches from Russia with commentators calling the action from the respective venues, for the vast majority of games. In addition, there will be dedicated crews following the teams with special emphasis on the most relevant teams for the Hispanic audience.
Telemundo Deportes’ award-winning team of on-air talent will be led by the internationally renowned commentator Andres Cantor. A 4-time Emmy Award winner, recipient of the Sportscaster of the Year award from the American Sports Broadcasters Association, a Hispanic Heritage Award recipient, and author of “GOOOAL! A Celebration of Soccer.” This will be Cantor’s 10th World Cup and his 8th as a play-by-play announcer. Cantor will be accompanied by a stellar group of talent, including National Emmy Award-nominee, Sammy Sadovnik, Miguel Gurwitz, Ana Jurka, Carlos Hermosillo, Karim Mendiburu, Copan Alvarez, Manuel Sol, among others. The team will also be joined by a group of diverse soccer personalities with an unmatched depth and breadth of expertise around all angles of the game, representing the most relevant countries participating in the World Cup. 
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">Schedule of World Cup games on US TV and streaming</a> 
Telemundo Deportes’ on-air team will be supplemented by the following renowned group of iconic soccer personalities, among others to be announced in the near future:
Carlos Hermosillo: Hermosillo is a Mexican soccer legend who has gone on to a successful career in television sports. He is part of the Telemundo Deportes’ on-air team and one of the top all-time goal scorers for the Mexican National Team and Cruz Azul.
Juan Pablo Sorín: Former Argentine player who participated in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups – and was captain of the team for the 2006 event. He also participated in two editions of Copa America and the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. Sorin also had a successful club career having played for renowned teams such as Barcelona, River Plate, Lazio and Paris Saint-Germain. 
Claudio Borghi: After a stellar performance as guest analyst for Telemundo’s coverage of the FIFA Confederations Cup, the Chilean-Argentine manager and former soccer attacking midfielder returns to join the team for Russia 2018. Borghi is a World Cup champion having played alongside Maradona when the Argentina team won the 1986 FIFA World Cup. He also played for several clubs in Argentina and Chile and spent time in Italy with A.C. Milan. After retiring, Borghi has been coaching club teams in Argentina and Chile and served as head coach for the Chile National Team between 2011 and 2012.
Sebastián “El Loco” Abreu: Former Uruguayan striker who represented his country in the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cup and several Copa Americas (1997, 2007 and 2011.) He also played in a number of clubs throughout Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil.
Rolando Fonseca: Costa Rica’s national team’s all-time top goal scorer who’s also widely known among Mexican soccer fans for ending Mexico’s 20-year undefeated streak at Azteca stadium in international play back in 2001, after scoring a penalty kick. He also played for Liga MX’s Pachuca.
Manuel Sol: Sol is analyst commentator for Telemundo Deportes and a former Chivas and Mexican National Team midfielder star who became a household name for Mexican soccer fans during his 15-year soccer career. He made his professional debut with Pumas in 1992, then played with several league teams and as part of the Mexico National Team roster for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, the 1998 Gold Cup and FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the 1998 FIFA World Cup™.
Juan Pablo Ángel: Ángel is retired soccer star from Colombia who spent most of his career playing with popular clubs around the world including Premier League’s Aston Villa, Atletico Nacional, River Plate and Red Bulls. He was also part of Colombia’s National Team during the qualifiers for the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Horacio Elizondo: Former international football referee from Argentina who is best known for his officiation throughout the 2006 FIFA World Cup including the epic final where he gave Zidane a red card after he head-butted Materazzi in the chest following a verbal dispute.
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<h3> READ MORE:</h3>
•&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/cord-cutters-guide-to-world-cup-2018/">Cord cutter’s guide to World Cup 2018</a>
•&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup TV schedule</a>
•&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2018/02/06/2018-world-cup-shirts/">World Cup shirts for all 32 teams</a>
•&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/12/01/world-cup-tv-schedule-faq-answering-questions-russia-2018-tv-coverage/">FAQ on World Cup TV coverage in USA</a>
•&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/schedule-of-soccer-friendlies-in-us-this-summer/">Schedule of soccer friendlies in USA this summer</a>
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Telemundo Deportes reveals more World Cup TV coverage details - World Soccer Talk

Telemundo Deportes reveals more World Cup TV coverage details

The worst nightmare has come true for FOX Sports’ coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The United States has failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time in 32 years.
Earlier this year, FOX Sports President Eric Shanks joked that if the US Men’s National Team didn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup “that would [be] like $200 million flushed down the toilet [for FOX Sports].”
While it was a joke at the time, it’s no laughing matter after the United States crashed out of World Cup qualification on Tuesday night with a woeful defeat against Trinidad and Tobago in front of a half empty stadium. In the United States’ place, Panama qualified for the World Cup while Honduras leapfrogged the US into a playoff qualification spot.
The USA’s failure is a killer blow to FOX Sports’ hopes of generating massive TV viewing numbers for the tournament. At the same time, it makes FOX Sports’ job that much harder to try to hit any promises the sports network has made to sponsors. FOX has already inked deals with several major advertisers, but it’s going to be tougher than ever for them to fulfill the commercial inventory if far fewer people will be watching.
SEE MORE: <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/09/26/fox-sports-air-32-world-cup-games-fox-network/">FOX Sports to air more than 32 World Cup games next summer on FOX network</a>
FOX Sports recently announced that it’ll be sending a record number of production staff (450) to broadcast the World Cup directly from Russia, as well as building an elaborate two-storey set in Red Square, Moscow. The costs that FOX Sports budgeted for the tournament were no doubt made when they assumed that the United States would qualify for the competition.
In 2011, FOX Sports paid roughly $500 million for the rights to World Cup 2018 and 2022. Without the United States participating, the value of those 2018 rights has suddenly plummeted. And the prospect of a 2022 World Cup played in the desert in Qatar during the winter doesn’t hold much promise for FOX Sports either.
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Once the dust has settled, expect FOX Sports to start their PR spin to try to position the US failure as a disappointment but not a cataclysmic result. As we’ve already seen since last year, FOX Sports has hitched their wagon to the Mexico national team to try to help their TV ratings, positioning El Tri as “America’s second team.” For fans of the US Men’s National Team, Mexico is one of the last countries on the globe that US fans would want to support.
After Tuesday night’s disastrous result for the United States, the real winner in the early stages of the World Cup TV ratings battle is Telemundo Deportes, the new Spanish-language rights holder to the World Cup. If anyone will see a big gain in viewing numbers next summer, it’ll be Telemundo with the inclusion of Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and possibly Honduras —&nbsp;all Spanish-speaking countries with passionate fans, many of whom live in the United States.
SEE MORE: <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">Schedule of World Cup games on US TV and streaming</a>

FOX Sports suffers $200 million World Cup loss

FOX Sports suffers $200 million World Cup loss - World Soccer Talk

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FOX Sports suffers $200 million World Cup loss