First of all, I’d like to thank you all for your time asking such great questions on the first call for questions. I can’t promise that I’ll always have the answers you’re looking for, but my staff (Kyle Fansler, Derek Reese, Chris Moore) and I will do everything we can to do the best we can.
Before moving on to the answers to your questions, be sure to post any new questions in the comments section below. Then, every Tuesday, we’ll answer your questions in the Reader Mailbag column.
This week’s questions are grouped by topic:
FOOTBALL STREAMING
Rachel: Where can I watch Serie A, specifically Salernitana, in the US? Also, do you have any updates on international matches played in the US, such as Premier League teams, La Liga teams, national teams, etc.?
World Soccer Talk: To watch Unione Sportiva Salernitana 1919 and the vast majority of Serie A matches, sign up to Paramount+. Serie A fans can get 30 days free by activating this offer and using the promo code SERIEA.
As for the Premier League, LaLiga, and national teams, as well as other forms of soccer, there are too many options to list here. But download our free Ultimate Soccer TV & Streaming guide, which includes a link to a PDF that breaks down all the viewing options.
Jason: Will the Portuguese Primeira Liga have new broadcast or TV rights in the US for the 2023/2024 season? He is buried on GolTV right now.
World Soccer Talk: Portugal continues to be a hotbed of talent, be it as an initial destination for players signed in South America (Enzo Fernández, for example) who want to prove themselves in Europe before moving on to a bigger club, or for Portuguese footballers. who rise through the league.
However, the reality is that it is still a niche league. Yes, it’s buried in GolTV, but all the major Primeira Liga matches are broadcast on TV, something no other US broadcaster can offer.
The Portuguese league is likely to continue on GolTV. That is until a different broadcaster pays more than what GolTV is offering.
Bryan: Seeing the Ligue 1 deal with beIN Sports expire after next season, it would be nice to have more eyes on the league if they were more accessible to watch than they currently are here in the US.
World football talk: France’s Ligue 1 finds itself in a difficult position. Other than beIN SPORTS, there is no other English-language TV broadcaster in the United States that can guarantee that all major Ligue 1 matches will be broadcast live in English, Spanish and via streaming.
All the other broadcasters have competing leagues (CBS with Serie A, for example) or other sports (college football on ESPN) that would prevent the vast majority of games from airing. So that path is not viable.
At the same time, as Ligue 1 contemplates its future reach in the United States, perhaps Ligue 1 has found its footing with beIN SPORTS. The league has done very little to successfully promote itself in the United States. And despite having a very marketable club like Paris Saint-Germain under their wings, PSG is more of a UEFA Champions League phenomenon in the United States.
Michal: Why isn’t the Aussie A-League on American TV? Paramount+ shows the A League in Australia and Paramount+ shows the Asian Champions League in the US. ESPN+ shows the Australian Cup. Has no sense!
World Soccer Talk: Paramount+ owns the rights to the Australian A-League in Australia. However, no one bought the rights to show the league in the United States after its contract with ESPN+ ended. However, you can.
As for the Asian Champions League, that was a separate rights deal with the AFC, which did not include the rights to the A-League.
PEACOCK
Tony: Any idea when Peacock will show the games in 4K?
World Soccer Talk: The date has not yet been announced. As we first reported, select Premier League games will be in 4K on Peacock this year. On top of that good news, select games will be able to be heard in Dolby Atmos and 5.1 audio sometime in 2023.
ESPN
Brendan: What happened to Jon Champion, a big commentator for ESPN, who covered MLS? He returned to England? I haven’t seen it in any of the games.
World soccer talk: ESPN commentator Jon Champion has been in the UK since the 2023 MLS season ended. He is still under contract to ESPN, but has been given permission to call select Premier League games for Amazon Prime in England, as well as World Cup games for ITV.
However, he is back on ESPN. Champion commentated five games in English for ESPN+ during the FA Cup and League Cup last week.
Judging by the audio quality (as John mentioned in the Reader Mailbag call for questions), Champion is definitely calling games from a studio in England or America. I love Jon Champion’s commentary, but calling games from a sterile-sounding studio instead of the commentary gantry isn’t ideal for viewers.
The big question for Jon Champion is where he will go now that ESPN has a very limited number of soccer rights. If MLS isn’t pushing hard to sign him for Apple’s MLS Season Pass, they’re missing out.
MLS
Speaking of MLS. Chris has a question.
Chris: Do you have any information on how MLS games will be broadcast on Apple? It would be great to know more about the pre- and post-game plans. Will any local people be part of the broadcasts?
Global Soccer Talk: We’ll have more information in the coming weeks on all aspects of MLS Season Pass coverage. In the meantime, for local coverage, your best bet is to sign up for MLS Season Pass, and you can then use the app to sync the audio from the local radio station that has the local audio rights to the game.
Based on the preliminary list of MLS commentators and analysts, there are some talents who used to work for regional sports networks who are now announcing MLS Season Pass games. However, there is no guarantee that Steve Cangialosi, for example, will call games for the New York Red Bulls. He’s more likely to call a variety of different teams throughout the season.
