Football on TV

As a household with just basic cable service, there are not very many options to watch football on tv (the occasional US MNT coverage, MLS games weekly on ESPN, seasonal coverage of Champions League and World Cup). The most regular coverate that I get is on Telefutura, Telemundo, and Univision (Mexican League football).

I was just on a website called "LiveSoccerTV.com" and was amazed at the array of stations that cover football around the world. I've been debating whether to upgrade my cable service - but am afraid that I'll be watching football 24/7. http://www.livesoccertv.com/channels/

Football translate over television very well. I love not seeing all those stinking commercials too (American football games take forever when they are being televised). Another thing about football is that it doesn't matter what language it is being broadcast in because football is a universal language itself.

I am going to have to figure out the best way to go in upgrading my cable (stay with cable, go with dish, satellite, etc.). Until then - The Englander Pub will have to continue to do for now!

Quakes Radio and TV

Radio in English….please?

Have you not been fortunate enough to attend Quakes games in-person at the South Bay San Siro? You don’t have Comcast Sportsnet, Fox Soccer Channel, HDnet, etc? If you are a Quakes fan in your vehicle away from your tv, you still have an alternative way to experience each Quakes game live – on the radio.

Oooops. Did I mention that you also need to be fluent in Spanish to take advantage of the radio coverage? Yep. The Quakes radio station KLOK broadcasts each Quakes game over the radio in espanol. Why don’t the Quakes have an alternative broadcast in English? From my perspective, it doesn’t help in building the English-speaking fan base here in the Bay Area. I am certain we are talking about big money to secure airtime on an AM or FM frequency in the Bay Area. Maybe something creative can be developed – don’t the Oakland A’s have a radio station AND aren’t the Quakes also owned by those very same people that make the moves for the A’s? I say keep the KLOK Spanish broadcast, but please find us another frequency for an English broadcast!

A word about broadcasting and calling play-by-play:

I have never enjoyed the typical ESPN football commentators for MLS or US MNT games (World Cup, Champions League, and Euro Cup coverage is fine). BORING. I really enjoy the animation that comes with Spanish-speaking tv broadcasters - sooooo much energy and excitement (Gooooooooooooooooooool!). I can usually only pick up a few words here and there, but the game is so much more enjoyable to watch. I have heard local John Schrader broadcast televised recent Quakes games (Comcast Sports Net) and I have to say I am impressed. He does a great job – his “goal” calls are almost as exciting as Mexican league announcers on telemundo! I think John would also be a great candidate should the Quakes ever get an English radio broadcast going.

John Schrader + San Jose Earthquakes!

What's Up with TV Networks?

What's up with the major networks - the US National Team is playing Argentina in a friendly tonight and if you only have basic cable - you have no way to watch the game live without paying for the priviledge. I am able to watch the Mexico/Peru friendly on Telemundo no problem (update - Mexico is hammering Peru 3 - nil in the 39 min). Let's get free online access to US MNT games so that the game can be promoted in our own country.

What is the problem here? At least ESPN has many of the Euro2008 matches on live. Let's get free online access to US MNT games so the game can be promoted in our country.