From Relegation to Survival—FOX Throws Support Behind Premier League
By | April 20, 2012
It’s known to Premiership soccer fans as “Relegation Sunday,” and it’s one of the most exciting days in England’s Barclays Premier League. In a move that solidly reaffirms FOX Sports’ commitment to the league, the company’s cashing in on its cable reach and airing 9 of the 10 live games simultaneously on May 13. It’s calling the event “Survival Sunday.”
There’s a lot riding on the league’s annual D-Day—plenty of relegation, survival and spoils to go around. A total of 10 matches determine next year’s league lineup, a spot in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League and massive financial gains—or losses, depending on how the team fares. Three unlucky sides will be relegated to the second division from the 20-team roster, and the top 3 teams in the lower division will ascend to the EPL.
“With so much at stake, there’s nothing like the tension of the Premier League’s final Sunday, and we hope to capture every minute we can using the considerable resources available to the FOX Sports Media Group, including SPEED and FUEL TV, unconventional outlets for soccer,” said FSMG’s Eric Shanks, Co-President and COO, in a release. “Our plan is to provide cut-ins and updates from matches as often as necessary, while never taking the viewer away from the game they’re watching.”
One game each will air on FX, SPEED, FSN, FOX Soccer, FUEL TV and FOX Soccer Plus. Additionally, one will air on FOXSoccer.com and two on FOX Soccer 2Go. FOX Deportes carries one of the 9 games in Spanish. The non-FOX game goes to ESPN, which will select one match from the schedule. Announcements on specific networks and digital platforms still to come.