Fox Soccer Channel will take its MLS coverage to a new level in 2007 with the league's first-ever on-site live programming.
The cable station, which will provide exclusive national coverage of "MLS Saturday on FSC," will host live pregame, halftime and postgame shows on-site at MLS venues every week. The shows will feature player and coach interviews, highlights and expert analysis. Fans will be able to participate in the postgame show via e-mail, text message and telephone call-ins.
"This is a huge leap forward for soccer in the United States," said David Sternberg, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Fox Soccer Channel. "We are extremely proud to be the first sports network to air a three-hour MLS programming block, complete with pregame, halftime and postgame analysis, and as the nation's first and biggest soccer channel we look forward to promoting the continued growth of American professional soccer."
FSC's lead commentator, Max Bretos, will provide play-by-play on all games and will be joined by color analyst and former MLS player Christopher Sullivan. FSC's agreement with MLS provides for 28 weekly games on the network, including eight airing in an exclusive time slot during which no other league games will be played. FSC will also air at least three MLS Cup Playoff games.
In addition to its Saturday coverage, FSC will dedicate air time to MLS via its nightly news program, Fox Sports World Report, including a weekly MLS weekend preview hosted by Bobby McMahon. The Report will also feature a Sunday night recap of the weekend's action and a Wednesday "MLS Pulse" segment looking back on the week that was. FoxSoccer.com will also feature an improved MLS section.
The FSC deal is one of four landmark broadcast agreements MLS has reached in 2006. ESPN acquired the rights to air 26 regular-season and three playoff matches per year through 2014, and Univision will broadcast 25 MLS games per season, 10 U.S. men's national team games and five international matches operated by SUM, also through 2014. The league also has an agreement with HDNet.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
