If the 2010 World cup doesn’t become a huge ratings success for ESPN, it won’t be from a lack of effort.
ESPN Executive Vice President John Skipper admitted recently that the network has spent more money on the World Cup than any other sporting event it has ever covered.
On the surface, this may not seem like a big deal.
But when you consider that ESPN handles coverage of The Masters, NBA, NFL, MLB and more college sports than you can shake a stick at, it becomes a bit more impressive.
You have to tip your cap to ESPN and the folks at Disney.
From hiring Martin Tyler to handle the commentary to deciding to air all of the matches live in HD on either ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC - it’s hard to see where the media giant has cut any corners so far.
And despite the fact that the tournament is still almost two months away, ESPN is sending an army to South Africa to provide more than 100 hours of World Cup content before the first ball is kicked on June 11.
The cynic in me suggests that ESPN is trying to show the International Olympic Committee that it can handle a full-court press style event on the world stage, so they won’t laugh when ESPN starts bidding for Olympic rights for 2014 and 2016.
Whatever the reason, I’m excited to see what kind of in-depth coverage ESPN can provide for this year’s World Cup.
Well written. I for one am glad that ESPN are taking charge with attention to quality, they are doing. The Euros coverage in 2008 was quite refreshing with Andy Gray doing the analysis on many of the games and I am quite pleased that all the games will be in HD. They lost the Champions League but they are putting they money to good use.
Now let’s hope they get more rights to show more EPL and La Liga games.
I loves me some Martin Tyler, but it’s wrong the American broadcasts are all being called with British accents. What’s more, if ESPN coverage isn’t up to snuff, there’s always Univision, which is showing all 64 games over air. And they know how to make a call!
I think the World Cup will be received quite well in America. The game is making good inroads there.
your picture is very beautifur i like they too much