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ESPN to Present All Major League Soccer Matches In High Definition
ESPN will present all Major League Soccer matches in high definition beginning with the Saturday, April 7 season-opener – D.C. United at Colorado Rapids – on ABC HD at 3:30 p.m. ET; and the first telecast of ESPN2’s new MLS Primetime Thursday April 12 at 10 p.m. featuring FC Dallas at the Los Angeles Galaxy. This will mark the first season in ESPN’s Major League Soccer (MLS) history that all matches will be presented in high definition.
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The high definition telecasts will be offered as a simulcast of coverage on ESPN2, ESPN and ABC’s coverage. With this move, MLS has become one of seven sport categories – NASCAR, NBA, MLS, MLB, college football, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and Monday Night Football – receiving complete high definition coverage on ESPN HD or ESPN2 HD.
“Through our new deal, we are aligning MLS with other top-tier series, placing marquee matchups in a consistent Thursday night window and in high definition,” said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN vice president, programming. “Our broad grant of media rights will allow ESPN to drive awareness of MLS as one pillar in our global soccer strategy.”
According to Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) research, sports fans are eager to see programming in high definition.
“Our most recent market research shows that sports fans are demanding the latest technologies to keep up with their favorite sports,” said Tim Herbert, CEA’s senior director of market research. “Twenty-nine percent of sports fans say high definition programming impacts their decision to watch and 41 percent of sports fans believe that watching sports programming in HD is almost as good as attending the event live, proving they are not just enthusiasts but true high definition aficionados.”
ESPN’s high definition coverage of the MLS will offer a wide screen 16x9 format with increased clarity and superior sound bringing an “at-the-stadium” experience to the comfort of the viewer’s home. In addition, the pre-, halftime and post-game studio segments during ESPN2’s coverage of the MLS will be presented in high definition.
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS:
· MLS Primetime Thursday on ESPN2 HD will debut April 12 – an exclusive primetime window featuring the only live MLS match in the U.S.
· ABC HD will broadcast the league’s season-opening and championship matches
· ESPN2 HD will televise live the 2007 Sierra Mist All-Star Game Thursday, July 19 from Denver. The game will feature MLS All-Stars vs. Celtic FC of Scotland – one of Europe’s historic soccer clubs.
· ESPN HD will televise live the Saturday, July 21 MLS international friendly match between the 2006 English Premier League champions, Chelsea FC, and the Los Angeles Galaxy. The match is expected to be David Beckham’s first in the MLS and the first of his six scheduled appearances on ESPN or ESPN2.
· Five telecasts will receive expanded programming windows (2.5 hours) for pre- and post-game analysis, news and highlights.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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