ESPN

The NBL learned from dalliances with other broadcasters that they need to be in the ecosystem where the NBA lives (and to an extent other sports) - so it will be interesting.

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Didn’t Sky Channel end up with the venue rights for the NBA (and NFL)

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Was that for NFL RedZone or are you thinking about something else?

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Will be watching NFL Game Pass with the full feed

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Same. And looking forward to Burkhardt & Brady on the call. If the Chiefs win, it will be very interesting to see how Brady deals with a very real threat to his own status as GOAT quarterback.

If ESPN would put Buck & Aikman on their AU/NZ Super Bowl coverage rather than their B team I’d consider watching them, but even then the host broadcast is generally better than ESPN having to react to whatever replays etc the host broadcast chooses.

As for Seven, I assume NFL will force them to take the world feed given how broadcasts have played out this season. At least the Super Bowl world feed will be an actual production with its own commentary rather than a half-hearted barely-watchable attempt to cut out network and commercial elements from the host feed.

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Seven used CBS feed for last year’s Super Bowl. The World Feed (produced by NFL Films) is not like what we’ve seen when it comes to ESPN using the world feed under the regional broadcasters or NBC.

You can see how the NFL Films’ World Feed is played out here when SBLVIII happened. Ian Eagle was the main pbp for the feed. x.com

Oh yes I’m aware of the difference in production between the horrible world feed NFL have pushed out throughout this season and the world feed that they put actual effort into for the Super Bowl each year, hence the portion of my paragraph you didn’t quote:
“At least the Super Bowl world feed will be an actual production with its own commentary rather than a half-hearted barely-watchable attempt to cut out network and commercial elements from the host feed.”

My point was that Seven and ESPN have seemingly had very little choice over whether they take world feed or host network feed during games this season, so it would be surprising if the NFL gives Seven a choice for the biggest game of the season. ESPN obviously won’t be forced to take world feed as they have their contractual position of being able to produce their own coverage for AU/NZ.

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Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick returns to call SBLIX for the second year in a row for Australia and New Zealand audiences (February 10th).

Russell Yurk, who joined ESPN’s MNF team as rules analyst this season will be part of the AU/NZ telecast.

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I think this will be a big advantage for ESPN this year (whereas in past years I would argue that Seven taking the US feed gave them the advantage)- by all reports the NFL Films international feed for the Superbowl tends to have commentary that assumes that most viewers are not overly familiar with the intricacies of the game.

I suspect there might be a bump in subscriptions to DAZN/GamePass for the game as well- especially since it is priced at a very competitive 99 cents (and is the only place where one is likely to get the US feed).

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ESPN confirms their MNF B team will call the Super Bowl on ESPN AU/NZ

Global Presentations: ESPN Broadcasters for Super Bowl LIX
The following broadcast teams will call the game to a potential audience of more than 140 million homes around the world.

  • ESPN Australia and New Zealand: Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick and Russell Yurk

  • ESPN Brazil: Fernando Nardini, Paulo Antunes and Conrado Giulietti

  • ESPN Latin America: Eduardo Varela, Pablo Viruega, Ciro Procuna and John Sutcliffe

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Week 1 of 2024/2025 NBL Finals fixture

https://nbl.com.au/news/finals-begin-february-11

All finals matches will be shown on ESPN.

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More bad news for Foxtel and Kayo subscribers.

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Article suggests the door is still open for a new deal with Foxtel

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https://www.disney.com.au/news/espn-on-disney-plus-coming-soon?ex_cmp=eml_aunz_disneyplus__DP_ESPN_T_A61_0225

No start date yet - not does it look like it’s going exclusive to D+ yet

In addition to the ESPN offering that will be on Disney+, ESPN is available via Foxtel, Kayo Sport, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ.

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just got an email with this link on it.

https://www.disney.com.au/news/espn-on-disney-plus-coming-soon?ex_cmp=eml_aunz_disneyplus__DP_ESPN_T_A61_0225

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Patrick Bour, director of television and marketing at ESPN Australia sat down with B&T to unpack how the network tailors its approach to engage Australian fans, noting that the Super Bowl has become “must-see sports entertainment.”

From tapping into the spectacle of US sports to collaborations with influencers, innovative partnerships, and bespoke programming, ESPN has not only elevated the Super Bowl’s appeal but also leveraged its cultural relevance to create opportunities for advertisers and fans alike.

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I hope Disney+ subscribers don’t have to pay extra for it! And Kayo should charge less for its service without ESPN. Who knows? Also I hope Disney+ subscribers get access to the Watch ESPN app for more coverage of the NHL (or put those matches on Disney+).

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