Comparing Broadcasts: ESPN Vs. NBCSN

During the recent friendly matches, viewers have watched the USMNT on both ESPN and the NBC Sports Network.  The two networks have more to contrast than to compare, in general, but both allow for more exposure.  NBC has a long term contract with Major League Soccer and also will be televising National Team matches.  It loses out some with the lack of a men’s team in the Olympics and also has to compete with ESPN having the large overseas competitions on its airwaves.  Regardless, let us take a look at what we have seen during these last three matches from the two networks.

As mentioned these networks are far apart from one another.  NBC is behind ESPN in resources and general coverage of the sporting landscape.  The coverage by NBC during the upcoming Olympics should prove to be staggering as all the networks will be used to showcase the the games to the world.  NBC also prides itself on more niche sports like hockey or extreme sports.  However, in general ESPN is much more about the glamour of sports and the commercialization attached to it.  Those that cover soccer for ESPN have been around it all their life and when analysts not familiar with the sport have to ask questions it can become messy.

ESPN has the names of Bob Ley, Alexei Lalas, and Ian Darke.  Lalas, in particular, seems to be a very alienating personality with no middle ground.  However, they have brought in great talent from around the globe that know the game.  NBCSN analysts have a pedigree as well, but seem to be looked at in a different light.  Perhaps it is because the network is still in its infancy in covering the beautiful game.  Arlo White and Kyle Martino are both early into their broadcasting careers.  Where the NBC Sports Network lacks is with a host.

If anyone has watched the hockey coverage on the varying NBC networks, one will know that there are two regular hosts and occasionally the network will poach a commentator from a team broadcast.  A re-branding occurred with a name change from Versus and new nightly shows and feature broadcasts appeared.  Liam McHugh has taken the reigns on the hockey coverage after working his way through local networks and ESPN The Magazine while Russ Thaler has been the main studio host for soccer broadcasts.  Thaler put more than ten years into Comcast Sportsnet in the D.C. area and is linked more to hockey and tennis than soccer.  It shows in his appearances on MLS and USMNT broadcasts, but he does his job in being the host well.

The pregame show is sweet and short from NBC Sports Network and features more news related to soccer in the United States.  ESPN shoots for more dramatic stories and reporting and keeps an eye on the international game.  It all makes sense given the contracts both networks currently hold.  During the match, NBCSN allows Martino to stay closer to the action, much like they do with their hockey announcers.  This provides a different angle than ESPN.

Game commentators from both networks find ways to work in information about soccer across the globe as it relates to those on the pitch.  It is good for the casual fan to see the impact across the world.  If you want commentary that strays less from the United States teams the edge would go to NBCSN, but not by much.  The one big difference in actual game delivery is the number of replays.  ESPN will replay big moments in the match constantly, which increased when games began to be broadcast in 3-D.  NBCSN simply stays with the flow of the game with the occasional cut to coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Make no mistake, NBC is still in the early stages of soccer coverage and will continue to implore sponsors that make sense.  The early numbers of its MLS coverage show that viewers are up from Fox Soccer, but about two-thirds less that of some international coverage on ESPN.  White could become a name synonymous with soccer coverage given his smooth voice and knowledge.  Perhaps even his accent adds to the authenticity of the broadcast.  Also, there will only be a total of four national team games on NBCSN under the current agreement.

So for now, you know what you will be getting with ESPN.  They are a large corporation that can bully other networks out but have bills to pay. They have an ample amount of broadcasting talent to draw from and some of those people will not be your cup of tea.  NBC Sports Network is on a path of growth but has shown a promising future from a small sample size.  Money talks on either account.  Either way, it is good to see increased exposure for United States soccer.  There are a lot of soccer television contracts ending in 2014, so the next couple years could be a turning point for soccer broadcasting.