NFL in UK stronger than ever

[Livinginthe past]

I have to say, I am absolutely pumped about this years coverage of the NFL on Skysports (cable based).

Here's what we are getting this year.

*Pre-season: For the first time, six live pre-season games during August

*Sunday: Live Sunday evening ?triple-headers? throughout the regular season

*Monday: For the first time on Sky, ?Monday Night Football? live each week

*Interactive: Two extra live Sunday night regular season games via the red button

*Playoffs: Every game exclusively live from the post-season

*Super Bowl: Live coverage of the big game from Arizona on 3rd February 2008

*Extra matches: Pro Bowl, Thanksgiving Day, Thursday and Saturday night matches live

*Support: Including ?NFL Total Access? show six nights a week, a weekly highlights show, Sky season preview plus ?America?s Game? Super Bowl series

We had the 'triple-headers' last year - a live game shown from every slot (1PM, 4PM, and 8.30PM) - plus the option of an alternative game through the interactive utility (although i don't have this - my cable provider doesn't supply it).

We had MNF las year, too - but that was always shown on a terrestrial channel - makes no difference I suppose.

Im looking forward to the saturday night games, but the biggets thing will be the 'support coverage' through the week.

For those that wish to keep up to date on daily news, views and analysis, Sky will be screening extensive support programming including ?NFL Total Access? six nights a week, a weekly highlights show plus ?America?s Game? Super Bowl documentary series.

The America's Game stuff will be a real treat - I have never seen much coverage of the older SB's - it would be great to see some action from the 70's Steelers.

Yep.

Im pumped.

[The Duke]

So do you get any Pats games? Or better yet, any steelers games?

[revefsreleets]

Ironically, the NFL Europa or whatever they called it is kaput.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Extra matches:...

[Livinginthe past]

Originally Posted by The Duke

So do you get any Pats games? Or better yet, any steelers games?

Well we've got the HOF game - Steelers/Saints pre-season game, and preseason game no.5 is the Patriots/Panthers.

The regular season fixtures haven;t been announced yet, but I have a feeling (due to their popularity over here) that either the Patriots or Steelers will be live every week...or close to it.

I expect we'll see plenty of Colts too - but I can't argue with that - they are the champs.

The Saints seem to be pretty box-office too.

[Livinginthe past]

Originally Posted by MasterOfPuppets

Extra matches:...

LOL - they did quite well to keep saying 'game' as often as they did - shoulda got an American to proof read it I suppose

[Livinginthe past]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

Ironically, the NFL Europa or whatever they called it is kaput.

Yup. Europa is dead.

People over here won't buy into a second rate version of a pro-game, just because the teams are based in European cities.

I think they could definitely sell more football to Europe with proper match-ups like the Dolphins/Giants, though.

I always thought Ice Hockey should do well here too (as a viewer sport - we suck at playing it)

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by Livinginthe past

Yup. Europa is dead.

People over here won't buy into a second rate version of a pro-game, just because the teams are based in European cities.

I think they could definitely sell more football to Europe with proper match-ups like the Dolphins/Giants, though.

I always thought Ice Hockey should do well here too (as a viewer sport - we suck at playing it)

Interesting, I actually used to wonder if the NHL would ever expand to Europe, with the Stanley Cup being played between the N. American and European champion.

[Livinginthe past]

Originally Posted by Preacher

Interesting, I actually used to wonder if the NHL would ever expand to Europe, with the Stanley Cup being played between the N. American and European champion.

I don't get any access to hockey games but I think they would be the most accessible to European fans - baseball and basketball are personal turns offs for different reasons (too much scoring and way too many games).

Ice hockey though - just the right amount of scoring (similar to soccer), plenty of legal violence and a high skill factor.

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by Livinginthe past

I don't get any access to hockey games but I think they would be the most accessible to European fans - baseball and basketball are personal turns offs for different reasons (too much scoring and way too many games).

Ice hockey though - just the right amount of scoring (similar to soccer), plenty of legal violence and a high skill factor.

Not to mention... probably a third of the NHL ALREADY comes from Europe. To expand the league by another 20 teams would not diminish the quality as much as it would in any other major American sport... except for maybe Baseball...