ESPN’s World Cup 2010 TV Schedule

January 28th, 2010 | by: Daryl |

Now that the World Cup is over, US soccer fans can check out our weekly-updated weekend soccer TV schedule for listings of the top leagues and when the matches will be shown.

6a00e54ef2975b88330120a64ac907970c-500wi US sports broadcaster ESPN has released details of its World Cup 2010 television coverage. If you’re reading this from outside the US, you may not think this is big news. But for American soccer fans, it is. Here’s why:

In other countries, you can take it for granted that football is a big deal and so the World Cup will be treated accordingly by your broadcaster. Not so much in the USA. And so the quality of coverage given to the World Cup can be used a sort of yardstick for the progress of soccer in America.

In 2006, ESPN did a decentish job of actually putting the games on screen, but – without naming any names – the commentary and coverage left a lot to be desired. Here’s an interesting report on ESPN’s World Cup 2006 coverage from ESPN Ombudsman George Solomon. I watched several games on Univision, and I don’t speak Spanish.

ESPN released a statement yesterday, outlining its plans for World Cup 2010. And it looks like good news.

We already knew that Sky Sports legend Martin Tyler (pictured, above left) will be the lead commentator. Which is a coup. The man knows his business, so there will be no “Michael Beckham” faux pas this year. Yesterday ESPN also confirmed that:

1. All 64 matches will be broadcast live.
2. In high definition.
3. On either ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC.
4. Some games will be shown in 3-D

Of those 64 matches, 52 will be simulcast online at ESPN3. Which means many many Americans with be able to either secretly or not so secretly watch games at work 100% legally and in high quality (although the service is only available via certain internet providers). The only games not simulcast will be those being screened on ABC only. In which case, all you need is a TV and some bunny ears.

ESPN have also confirmed that every World Cup 2010 match will get a pre-game, half-time and post-game show, broadcast live and on location. As opposed to from Bristol, Connecticut. Teams coming out, national anthems and handshakes will all be broadcast. Which hasn’t always been the case.

espn sched

Above the full ESPN World Cup 2010 TV schedule, image captured and pasted from this ESPN press release.

I’m cautiously optimistic that ESPN will get it right this time. What do you think, US soccer fans?

If you’re watching from the UK, you can watch all the World Cup matches on Sky+HD.

Other channels showing the World Cup around the world.

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Mat

I don’t know…. but for some reason ESPN360 does not work on my computer.. It used to but not anymore.. all I see is a black screen..I know its not a deal with the popup blocker for sure.. anyone else has a problem like that??
http://seattle.theoffside.com laurie

I watched the entire World Cup (except the final) on Univision too!
Alex E.

I watched most of the ‘06 games with the TV muted and music playing. Listening to Marcelo Balboa makes my ears bleed.
Louise

all you need is a TV and some bunny ears

Well, a TV and a digital converter box.
MoMONEY

Step in the right direction but after watching it on univision last time, they have me converted. Can’t beat that passion. I don’t speak much Spanish but I will never forget the commentary when Italy beat Germany and the guy started talking in Italian. I can’t wait
Johnny1987

GREAT NEWS! two parts especially great; Martin Tyler (all we need now is Andy Gray sp) and gams on espon 360…. no TV at home, so i was wondering where i could catch the early games… bars dont open that early.
http://juventus.theoffside.com alessio

Andy Gray is absolutely awful, he’s one of those commentators who falls into stereotypes every game, he’s an idiot.

Martin Tyler, and all games broadcast live and HD? Can’t ask for much more. Well done, ESPN.
Bill

I’ll be watching South African TV commentary, so while I’m far from complaining about it, I will miss Martin Tyler. He is simply the best in the biz.
TopTrendingTopics

There were so many people talking about World Cup on Twitter that it was one of the top trending topics for a while – check out the video at http://www.joshrimer.com/nbc-sheprobablyhoe-world-cup/ to see some of the more entertaining ones in a funny video. :-)
Diane

I was with you on the switch to Univision, and try to watch ESPN MLS nights in Spanish when possible as well. I can’t believe ESPN’s butt-boy called us the most demanding fans in the world. Hasn’t he ever listened to sports radio (or his own network’s shows). At least those fans don’t have to demand that the announcers know the names of 1 or 2 players per team when they’re whinging.

I ask for SO little of U.S. TV football announcing. Know the names of the players and be able to apply them while they are in action, have one of the announcing team do play by play (really is that too much to ask) utilizing names as above, don’t cut away to sideline interviews — particularly during the run of play for gawd’s sake!!!, and don’t cover half the screen with flash ads that stay up forever. I didn’t even ask for intelligent commentary, that can always be a crap shoot.

On the subject of which, Martin Tyler can’t do all 64, who’s doing the rest, and who will be his partners?
MoMONEY

Most important thing for football commentary is passion. and espn will never match univision for that
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

@Louise

Thanks, hadn’t thought of that.
Carviv

Yeah, so excited that I will be able to see most of the games, and at work! Also, glad to see espn stepping up by showing the pre-game handshakes and anthems.
Mustafa

There’s nothing I love more than when the national anthems are playing, and they pan through the players, and you can see each one mouthing the words to it…. Its absolutely amazing

And I just hope that the other announcers they have will be half as good as Martin Tyler is…. I want him announcing my wedding
Cameron

I will definately switch to evening only shifts for the duration of the WC :)
Pseudinho

Andy Gray has been hired by Fox Soccer Channel to cover their coverage of the World Cup. Their coverage consists of reporting on site and studio shows.
Justo

If you are a spanish speaker and you are not Mexican, YOU AVOID WATCHING THE WORLD CUP ON UNIVISION. Their commentators are the worst you can possibly have in the spanish-speaking TV Sports media.
So, if you don´t understand spanish you won´t have any idea of the stupidities they talk. And the play by play commentary is very annoying.
So, thanks to ESPN I don´t have to watch UNIVISION dumb and rubish coverage of World Cup Soccer.
It´s been like that since 2002.
Jose75

Have to agree with Justo. The Univision Mexican commentators are the most grating voices in American-Spanish broadcasting… and absolutely idiotic.

I still watch Univision (because a game with so little scoring deserves a “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!! GOLAZO GOLAZO GOLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZO!!” to mark every one of them, not that “and Donovan scores one for the U.S., folks, this game is tied!” nonsense you get on ESPN), but I zone out the commentators like a bunch of vuvuzelas.
MoMONEY

Yea I dont understand that much Spanish but it seems they understand what a foul is, they actually enjoy watching nice football, and they care enough to go crazy when something warrants it… No idea if what they say is legit or not but i like them for what I understand of them
Carviv

If I have to listen to John Harkes and Alexi Lalas talk about how great the US National team was when they were on it one more time…darn it I’m getting upset all over again!
Octavio

Good news, ESPN is showing improvement in broadcasting soccer and the World Cup is a good opportunity to shine, let’s see if that happens. It’s funny, I am Latin and I hate Univision, most of the games are with Mexican commentators who have no clue of what’s going on, no guiding the audience on tactics, schematics, the deep analysis of the game, just describing the action which we can see on the screen, it’s like they are talking to radio audience. Good luck ESPN !!
Peter

I really like JP Dellacamera. Does he do PbP for both ESPN and FSC now?

Anyway if its a US game, I wouldn’t at all mind his play by play. Its fine really.
http://www.super.ae/ أخبار الرياضة

This is a great news.. thanks for posting…
Pseudinho

JP works for ESPN and NHL Network. JP will not be calling the USA v England match. Martin Tyler will be calling that match.
UK1

-ESPN- Congratulations to the bosses and staff of ESPN for setting out the wonderful live coverage of the world cup. According to CNN, outside of South Africa, The Unites States have purchased the most tickets thus far. It’s really good to see that. Also, it’s great that you’re bringing over one of the best commentators from English sports (Martin Tyler). I have watched games in the past that ESPN have covered with the Irish commentator, Tommy Smith, and the commentary has been so bad and unknowledgeable that I’ve had to watch the game with no volume. He would never be able to get employment in The UK making the remarks he does and it’s clear that he does not have an all around knowledge of the game. It’s great to see that ESPN are moving forward in that area. Good luck with the coverage.
Sonya

This is looking good! I’m glad ESPN’s stepping up their game and actually broadcasting ALL games on an actual channel instead of just on ESPN360. And better commentary will be a breath of fresh air. You’re OUT, O’Brien!
Faith

This is a great game plan ESPN. Thank you. Maybe you should send a copy of your press release to the deadbeats at NBC who seem to not the meaning of world games. Agree though that Univision passion is needed by the US commentators.
http://www.viewmy.tv Bettieclaire

It’s interesting to read your comments. it’s really Good news, ESPN is showing improvement in broadcasting soccer and the World Cup is a good opportunity to shine, let’s see if that happens.

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