I think people who are Sky subscribers are just numb to terrible sports coverage and analysis, it just something you have all got used to. But when a new viewer like me sees an NFL Sky game on Pick or Sky 2, I can tell you it is total rubbish.
NFL - UK Broadcasting Thread
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And the commentary teams that have called live games broadcast in the UK up to the end of week 8 are as follows;
9. NBC - Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya.
9. CBS - Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson.
8. ESPN - Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters.
3. Fox - Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews or Peter Schrager.
3. CBS - Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn.
3. CBS - Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon.
3. CBS - Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots.
2. Fox - Sam Rosen, John Lynch, Pam Oliver.
2. Fox - Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Tony Siragusa.
1. ESPN - Chris Berman, Trent Dilfer, Lindsay Czarniak.
1. Fox - Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jenifer Hale.
18 for CBS, 9 for NBC, 9 for ESPN, 8 for Fox.
I'm surprised that we've only heard Fox's A team three times so far this season. It will become four this weekend though as they are doing the Green Bay @ Carolina game. We will also get Jim Nantz & Phil Simms twice this week with TNF and the Sunday late game.
9. NBC - Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya.
9. CBS - Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson.
8. ESPN - Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters.
3. Fox - Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews or Peter Schrager.
3. CBS - Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn.
3. CBS - Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon.
3. CBS - Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots.
2. Fox - Sam Rosen, John Lynch, Pam Oliver.
2. Fox - Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Tony Siragusa.
1. ESPN - Chris Berman, Trent Dilfer, Lindsay Czarniak.
1. Fox - Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jenifer Hale.
18 for CBS, 9 for NBC, 9 for ESPN, 8 for Fox.
I'm surprised that we've only heard Fox's A team three times so far this season. It will become four this weekend though as they are doing the Green Bay @ Carolina game. We will also get Jim Nantz & Phil Simms twice this week with TNF and the Sunday late game.
Originally Posted by WhoAteMeDinner:
“I think people who are Sky subscribers are just numb to terrible sports coverage and analysis, it just something you have all got used to. But when a new viewer like me sees an NFL Sky game on Pick or Sky 2, I can tell you it is total rubbish.”
“I think people who are Sky subscribers are just numb to terrible sports coverage and analysis, it just something you have all got used to. But when a new viewer like me sees an NFL Sky game on Pick or Sky 2, I can tell you it is total rubbish.”
I can get Sky, but don't pay for it and wouldn't as it isn't value for money in my opinion.
My thoughts, some of their sports coverage can be described as tired and stale in my opinion and the NFL falls into that category as does Rugby League, Darts etc. Their analysts are predictable and there is a feeling that it is all very pally and much of a much ness i believe.
I wouldn't call it total rubbish as that is your opinion and not fact, however it could and should be so much better and be freshened up with a bit more effort. It seems that once they get the rights to a certain sport, they can get lazy as it is theirs to do with what they like, as they have become the rights holder. Sky are dominant players and can get lazy and act like the big bother, BT getting Champions League coverage albeit at a steep price was a wake up call for them.
The problem is, if it is rubbish as you say, what is the alternative for sports and the NFL? Probably only pay TV channels such as BT, Premier etc because terrestrial TV treat sport as a dirty word generally, even Channel 4 lost interest or didn't want to pay for rights and they only had 1 game a week in the wee small hours, hardly a UK prime time slot.
I'd love to see Sky completely shake up its sports coverage and especially the NFL but i just don't see who will do it. They're just too comfy.
One pundit who for me has raised the bar is Gary Neville, other sports could learn a lot from his analysis, Cecil Martin is no Gary Neville!
Then you have Thierry Henry, heavily paid to sit on the fence mainly.
For me the big issue with Sky and their NFL coverage is that it just needs an upgrade in the presentation, it doesn't seem polished and i have never been sure that Cadle and Reynolds are a good fit, but that's just me!
Originally Posted by WhoAteMeDinner:
“I think people who are Sky subscribers are just numb to terrible sports coverage and analysis, it just something you have all got used to. But when a new viewer like me sees an NFL Sky game on Pick or Sky 2, I can tell you it is total rubbish.”
“I think people who are Sky subscribers are just numb to terrible sports coverage and analysis, it just something you have all got used to. But when a new viewer like me sees an NFL Sky game on Pick or Sky 2, I can tell you it is total rubbish.”
Sky's NFL coverage has got worse over the years. Not only from a quality point of view, but from a constant point of view.
I started raising this 2 or 3 years ago and have this year cancelled my Sky Sports coverage. Don't get me wrong , some of their sports coverage is superb, but the NFL is shambolic and weak. There is no non game coverage anymore other than the odd documentary, when there should be regulate daily news programming.
Heaven help if the UK got a franchise as the TV coverage would need to increase tenfold!
Anyway I cancelled Sky Sports and now get proper coverage through other means.. I would rather have stayed with Sky.....
Pally and comfy from the last two posters are very good ways of describing Sky's sports coverage in general. That sense trickles down into the sports themselves and makes them complacent and smug. Look at the state of England international sides in all the major sporting codes.
Yes I know the footballers won all their Euro qualifiers, but they always do that and then fold like a cheap suit when faced with top opposition.
Yes I know the footballers won all their Euro qualifiers, but they always do that and then fold like a cheap suit when faced with top opposition.
Originally Posted by WhoAteMeDinner:
“Pally and comfy from the last two posters are very good ways of describing Sky's sports coverage in general. That sense trickles down into the sports themselves and makes them complacent and smug. Look at the state of England international sides in all the major sporting codes.
Yes I know the footballers won all their Euro qualifiers, but they always do that and then fold like a cheap suit when faced with top opposition.”
“Pally and comfy from the last two posters are very good ways of describing Sky's sports coverage in general. That sense trickles down into the sports themselves and makes them complacent and smug. Look at the state of England international sides in all the major sporting codes.
Yes I know the footballers won all their Euro qualifiers, but they always do that and then fold like a cheap suit when faced with top opposition.”
Could agree more with all of this.
Well said!! Sadly
Originally Posted by WhoAteMeDinner:
“Pally and comfy from the last two posters are very good ways of describing Sky's sports coverage in general. That sense trickles down into the sports themselves and makes them complacent and smug. Look at the state of England international sides in all the major sporting codes.
Yes I know the footballers won all their Euro qualifiers, but they always do that and then fold like a cheap suit when faced with top opposition.”
“Pally and comfy from the last two posters are very good ways of describing Sky's sports coverage in general. That sense trickles down into the sports themselves and makes them complacent and smug. Look at the state of England international sides in all the major sporting codes.
Yes I know the footballers won all their Euro qualifiers, but they always do that and then fold like a cheap suit when faced with top opposition.”
Cheap suits normally fold better than expensive ones
Sky Sports NFL Twitter saying it's the first time that a game is being simultaneously shown on Pick which is totally misleading because they simultaneously showed a game on Pick on the first Sunday of the year:
https://twitter.com/skysportsnfl/sta...53153336737792
https://twitter.com/skysportsnfl/sta...53153336737792
Yep, I noticed that too, my suspicion is they planned to only show one NFL game on FTA on Pick in week 1, as that numpty presenter guy signed off by suggesting we all get Sky subscriptions if we wanted to see any other NFL games.
Then nobody signed up and now they having to drop more bait in the water, so to speak.
Then nobody signed up and now they having to drop more bait in the water, so to speak.
Originally Posted by TheSubaru2012:
“Sky Sports NFL Twitter saying it's the first time that a game is being simultaneously shown on Pick which is totally misleading because they simultaneously showed a game on Pick on the first Sunday of the year:
https://twitter.com/skysportsnfl/sta...53153336737792”
“Sky Sports NFL Twitter saying it's the first time that a game is being simultaneously shown on Pick which is totally misleading because they simultaneously showed a game on Pick on the first Sunday of the year:
https://twitter.com/skysportsnfl/sta...53153336737792”
Well given the quality of some of Sky's coverage it could be put down to ignorance though I'm sure the NFLuk office had a large hand in this which might suggest wilful misleading. I don't think the first game on Pick rated that well.
In fact I wonder if showing some 6pm games on Pick was part of the deal if they gave Sky SNF for free?
Another reason might be the poor ratings on Sky for the NFL this season and they're looking to boost the figures for the average audience over the whole year. It's quite a strange dichotomy that's going on with more London NFL games added and selling out while the TV audience is starting to decline.
Originally Posted by ukdude7:
“Another reason might be the poor ratings on Sky for the NFL this season and they're looking to boost the figures for the average audience over the whole year. It's quite a strange dichotomy that's going on with more London NFL games added and selling out while the TV audience is starting to decline.”
“Another reason might be the poor ratings on Sky for the NFL this season and they're looking to boost the figures for the average audience over the whole year. It's quite a strange dichotomy that's going on with more London NFL games added and selling out while the TV audience is starting to decline.”
I’m not sure that they’re starting to decline, they’ve been on the wane for a few seasons now. And I don’t think it’s that odd, there’s obviously a strong hardcore fanbase in the country that are willing to come to x amount of games in person a season, but the expected rise in casual fans as a result of the Wembley games exposure just hasn’t materialised.
And it’s not for the want of trying, NFL/NFL UK have been giving away TV rights for free to terrestrial channels for a while, but even then, they seem to feel it’s not worth the hassle of blocking out at least 3.5 hours of airtime, plus spending the money on a studio, presenters and staff when ratings aren’t necessarily higher than a repeat of Flog It or an old film would be in that same timeslot.
Maybe things would changed if this ‘London franchise’ ever comes to fruition, but until that point, I think the popularity of the NFL has peaked in this country.
Originally Posted by chrisfinch:
“I’m not sure that they’re starting to decline, they’ve been on the wane for a few seasons now. And I don’t think it’s that odd, there’s obviously a strong hardcore fanbase in the country that are willing to come to x amount of games in person a season, but the expected rise in casual fans as a result of the Wembley games exposure just hasn’t materialised.
And it’s not for the want of trying, NFL/NFL UK have been giving away TV rights for free to terrestrial channels for a while, but even then, they seem to feel it’s not worth the hassle of blocking out at least 3.5 hours of airtime, plus spending the money on a studio, presenters and staff when ratings aren’t necessarily higher than a repeat of Flog It or an old film would be in that same timeslot.
Maybe things would changed if this ‘London franchise’ ever comes to fruition, but until that point, I think the popularity of the NFL has peaked in this country.”
“I’m not sure that they’re starting to decline, they’ve been on the wane for a few seasons now. And I don’t think it’s that odd, there’s obviously a strong hardcore fanbase in the country that are willing to come to x amount of games in person a season, but the expected rise in casual fans as a result of the Wembley games exposure just hasn’t materialised.
And it’s not for the want of trying, NFL/NFL UK have been giving away TV rights for free to terrestrial channels for a while, but even then, they seem to feel it’s not worth the hassle of blocking out at least 3.5 hours of airtime, plus spending the money on a studio, presenters and staff when ratings aren’t necessarily higher than a repeat of Flog It or an old film would be in that same timeslot.
Maybe things would changed if this ‘London franchise’ ever comes to fruition, but until that point, I think the popularity of the NFL has peaked in this country.”
I do think NFL has reached a glass ceiling of interest in the UK and I can't see it rising any further unless we get a London based team with a lot of publicity and probably free TV coverage to drive interest.
In all the years of the International Series it is still only myself and one work colleague who go to the games with separate groups of friends. There seems no interest in the others attending or even watching on free TV whether it's BBC or C4. I do think it's similar to many other sports like rugby league which have a steady fan base and that's it. There's very few sports actually growing audience share.
I wouldn't say there isn't any opportunity for growth but it’s unlikely given the lack of consistency in the broadcasting format. The NFL have never really considered that whilst they get better money for putting the game behind paywalls (be that Sky or now NFL Gamepass) in doing so you destroy any chance you have of growth in the UK as you are then only selling the sport to established fans.
Let’s face it, the sport enjoyed its biggest amount of popularity in the 80's early 90's when C4 gave it good coverage (for the time). When Sky bought most of the rights it’s got relegated to late night slots where it’s been ping ponging between C5, C4 and the BBC ever since.
The Wembley games have improved things in terms of popularity but that has only encouraged Sky to buy up more of that coverage making it less and less attractive the regular broadcaster to even bother. Hence the farce this season of the BBC only stepping in at the last minute no doubt due to the rights been virtually given away.
Every time we (the fans) get a show and format we like, such as C4's last run with Nat and Mike, it’s gone to yet another channel.
Just watched the new BBC show. Little bit clunky in places but I'm sure it will improve once the presenters get settled into the routine and its nice to have a Match of the Day type programme to sum up the NFL action. How long that will last we shall see. I have no doubt if it becomes a good show respected by fans it will either get dropped/poached by another channel and we start again.
Let’s face it, the sport enjoyed its biggest amount of popularity in the 80's early 90's when C4 gave it good coverage (for the time). When Sky bought most of the rights it’s got relegated to late night slots where it’s been ping ponging between C5, C4 and the BBC ever since.
The Wembley games have improved things in terms of popularity but that has only encouraged Sky to buy up more of that coverage making it less and less attractive the regular broadcaster to even bother. Hence the farce this season of the BBC only stepping in at the last minute no doubt due to the rights been virtually given away.
Every time we (the fans) get a show and format we like, such as C4's last run with Nat and Mike, it’s gone to yet another channel.
Just watched the new BBC show. Little bit clunky in places but I'm sure it will improve once the presenters get settled into the routine and its nice to have a Match of the Day type programme to sum up the NFL action. How long that will last we shall see. I have no doubt if it becomes a good show respected by fans it will either get dropped/poached by another channel and we start again.
Originally Posted by DRAGON LANCE:
“I wouldn't say there isn't any opportunity for growth but it’s unlikely given the lack of consistency in the broadcasting format. The NFL have never really considered that whilst they get better money for putting the game behind paywalls (be that Sky or now NFL Gamepass) in doing so you destroy any chance you have of growth in the UK as you are then only selling the sport to established fans.
Let’s face it, the sport enjoyed its biggest amount of popularity in the 80's early 90's when C4 gave it good coverage (for the time). When Sky bought most of the rights it’s got relegated to late night slots where it’s been ping ponging between C5, C4 and the BBC ever since.
The Wembley games have improved things in terms of popularity but that has only encouraged Sky to buy up more of that coverage making it less and less attractive the regular broadcaster to even bother. Hence the farce this season of the BBC only stepping in at the last minute no doubt due to the rights been virtually given away.
Every time we (the fans) get a show and format we like, such as C4's last run with Nat and Mike, it’s gone to yet another channel.
Just watched the new BBC show. Little bit clunky in places but I'm sure it will improve once the presenters get settled into the routine and its nice to have a Match of the Day type programme to sum up the NFL action. How long that will last we shall see. I have no doubt if it becomes a good show respected by fans it will either get dropped/poached by another channel and we start again.”
“I wouldn't say there isn't any opportunity for growth but it’s unlikely given the lack of consistency in the broadcasting format. The NFL have never really considered that whilst they get better money for putting the game behind paywalls (be that Sky or now NFL Gamepass) in doing so you destroy any chance you have of growth in the UK as you are then only selling the sport to established fans.
Let’s face it, the sport enjoyed its biggest amount of popularity in the 80's early 90's when C4 gave it good coverage (for the time). When Sky bought most of the rights it’s got relegated to late night slots where it’s been ping ponging between C5, C4 and the BBC ever since.
The Wembley games have improved things in terms of popularity but that has only encouraged Sky to buy up more of that coverage making it less and less attractive the regular broadcaster to even bother. Hence the farce this season of the BBC only stepping in at the last minute no doubt due to the rights been virtually given away.
Every time we (the fans) get a show and format we like, such as C4's last run with Nat and Mike, it’s gone to yet another channel.
Just watched the new BBC show. Little bit clunky in places but I'm sure it will improve once the presenters get settled into the routine and its nice to have a Match of the Day type programme to sum up the NFL action. How long that will last we shall see. I have no doubt if it becomes a good show respected by fans it will either get dropped/poached by another channel and we start again.”
Good Stuff.
Haven't seen the BBC highlights show, but i can't think that putting on after midnight will entice more fans to the game.
I suppose it will be available online on the iplayer but not everyone watches TV that way.
I think that the boom period for the NFL has gone and it now has a cult and loyal following, whether that would ever be enough to sustain a franchise here, i doubt very much once the novelty had worn off, but that's just me.
I've been a 49ers fan for nearly 35 years and i won't be jumping ship to support the London Spurs or whatever they'd be called, i would be curious to see how they did but that is all and i'd only travel down to see them if the 49ers were their opponents. Mind you the mess the Niners are in right now, it wouldn't take long before the London team would have a better record.
What a mess was the BBC programme last night, seems that actual "game footage," was just a minor consideration.
Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley:
“What a mess was the BBC programme last night, seems that actual "game footage," was just a minor consideration.”
“What a mess was the BBC programme last night, seems that actual "game footage," was just a minor consideration.”
It was trying to be too much like MOTD2, and spent too much time on post-game analysis and fripperies (just like MOTD2). How many games did they actually show footage from? No full round-up of scores or standings.
Originally Posted by SgtRock:
“It was trying to be too much like MOTD2, and spent too much time on post-game analysis and fripperies (just like MOTD2). How many games did they actually show footage from? No full round-up of scores or standings.”
“It was trying to be too much like MOTD2, and spent too much time on post-game analysis and fripperies (just like MOTD2). How many games did they actually show footage from? No full round-up of scores or standings.”
Why did they bother with a "text in," in a programme as short as this ffs?
stevebluejay: Agree with those comments about existing fans not necessarily being interested in a London team. It will depend on how good the players are they bring in. If it’s just a team of 2nd string players that get regularly thrashed by the rest of the NFL it will inspire nothing. If they get a decent team together that gets in the playoffs and challenges for the Super Bowl - that could be interesting.
And back on the BBC show; I don't think the idea of a MOTD type show is a bad idea but the execution did indeed leave something to be desired in places. Say it again I'm surprised they didn't get experienced presenters like Nat and Mike in. Guess they couldn't afford them or they had better taste than to get involved.
And back on the BBC show; I don't think the idea of a MOTD type show is a bad idea but the execution did indeed leave something to be desired in places. Say it again I'm surprised they didn't get experienced presenters like Nat and Mike in. Guess they couldn't afford them or they had better taste than to get involved.
Week 10 Commentary teams.
Fri 01:25 - Buffalo @ NY Jets - NFL Network - Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson.
Sun 18:00 - Miami @ Philadelphia - CBS - Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots.
Sun 21:05 - Minnesota @ Oakland - Fox - Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale.
Mon 01:30 - Arizona @ Seattle - NBC - Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya.
Tue 01:30 - Houston @ Cincinnati - ESPN - Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters.
TNF and MNF are on Sky Sports 1. Sunday's matches are on Sky Sports 2. In America CBS has the Sunday doubleheader. The primary matches are Cleveland @ Pittsburgh and New England @ NY Giants. Fox has regional matches with Green Bay @ Detroit as the primary game.
Coverage maps can be found at http://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2015&wk=10
Fri 01:25 - Buffalo @ NY Jets - NFL Network - Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson.
Sun 18:00 - Miami @ Philadelphia - CBS - Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots.
Sun 21:05 - Minnesota @ Oakland - Fox - Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale.
Mon 01:30 - Arizona @ Seattle - NBC - Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya.
Tue 01:30 - Houston @ Cincinnati - ESPN - Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters.
TNF and MNF are on Sky Sports 1. Sunday's matches are on Sky Sports 2. In America CBS has the Sunday doubleheader. The primary matches are Cleveland @ Pittsburgh and New England @ NY Giants. Fox has regional matches with Green Bay @ Detroit as the primary game.
Coverage maps can be found at http://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2015&wk=10
Interesting game choices from Sky - as a Browns fan I can see why they are ignoring our game as no doubt they expect a Steelers blowout.
Anyone know why Sky have changed the way they handle the red button for NFL? Used to be that you had a menu option where you could toggle between the main Sky feed (in HD) and RedZone by pressing 1 and 2 but for the last few weeks it has just been RedZone on it's own behind the red button. Quite annoying as it was nice being able to flick back to the HD feed occasionally without taking 30 seconds to go in and out of the red button.
Could be as simple as they don't have enough feeds to run a menu choice 'screen'. With the F1 on as well the interactive options will be at a maximum.
Is it my imagaination or are Sky choosing games later in the week.
Admittedly I only watched from about 10 pm last night but I saw clues as to what next weeks games are. I know Thursday is a given because it is on NFL network and was chosen at the start of the season but does any one know what nest weeks Sunday games are?
Admittedly I only watched from about 10 pm last night but I saw clues as to what next weeks games are. I know Thursday is a given because it is on NFL network and was chosen at the start of the season but does any one know what nest weeks Sunday games are?
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