In 2012, American broadcast giant NBC will let MLS football grow its audience as ESPN continue is great coverage of American soccer.
NBC has signed a 3-year television deal which will see them feature 45 Major League Soccer matches in addition to 4 encounters involving the USA’s male football team. With FOX Soccer Channel’s matches migrating to NBC Sports Network in particular, the coverage has been organized as follows:
NBC Sports Network—previously named Versus—will take charge of covering most matches whereas NBC will air 2 playoff meetings, 2 regular-season encounters and 2 U.S. men’s national team matches. Chairman of NBC Sports, Mark Lazarus, declared:
“MLS is a perfect fit for our new group, and we are uniquely positioned to help grow soccer in the United States with extensive coverage on NBC Sports Network, significant programming on the broadcast network and our growing digital platforms.
“Additionally, this agreement complements the partnerships that five of our regional sports networks have with their local MLS teams.”
The good news for the development of football in the United States is that MLS matches won’t solely be available through cable channels. Thanks to NBC’s 3-year TV deal, the American audience for MLS football is set to double as Associated Press expects. Don Garber, MLS’ commissioner, praised NBC’s involvement in the growth of American soccer by saying:
“Our new partnership with the NBC Sports Group is a significant step forward for Major League Soccer and US Soccer. The NBC Sports Group is world-renowned for its award-winning coverage, superb broadcast quality and promotional expertise.
“We are excited to be part of NBC’s ambitious plans for soccer, and look forward to reaching a considerable audience on multiple platforms.”
NBC Sports Network—previously named Versus—will take charge of covering most matches whereas NBC will air 2 playoff meetings, 2 regular-season encounters and 2 U.S. men’s national team matches. Chairman of NBC Sports, Mark Lazarus, declared:
“MLS is a perfect fit for our new group, and we are uniquely positioned to help grow soccer in the United States with extensive coverage on NBC Sports Network, significant programming on the broadcast network and our growing digital platforms.
“Additionally, this agreement complements the partnerships that five of our regional sports networks have with their local MLS teams.”
The good news for the development of football in the United States is that MLS matches won’t solely be available through cable channels. Thanks to NBC’s 3-year TV deal, the American audience for MLS football is set to double as Associated Press expects. Don Garber, MLS’ commissioner, praised NBC’s involvement in the growth of American soccer by saying:
“Our new partnership with the NBC Sports Group is a significant step forward for Major League Soccer and US Soccer. The NBC Sports Group is world-renowned for its award-winning coverage, superb broadcast quality and promotional expertise.
“We are excited to be part of NBC’s ambitious plans for soccer, and look forward to reaching a considerable audience on multiple platforms.”
