Anyone who views the Beautiful Game on television regularly understands how great the Directv-UEFA Champions League coverage is. Presented on channel 480 in a mosaic format, the coverage gives the viewer the choice of eight games accessible by a click of the remote, or the viewer can view all eight games simultaneously, clicking on the mosaic when a goal or some other game changing event occurs to access that particular game by itself. As with most things, however, nothing is perfect. In this case, it is the blacking out of a game due to a non-subscription to Fox Sports Espanol (FSE).
It should be stated that the blackout also occurs on the other Fox Sports services…when a game is airing on the local Fox Sports Channel, Fox Soccer Channel, or Fox Soccer Plus, the viewer is directed to turn to that channel to receive the game. This is understandable and should be expected by the viewer…the games carried on these channels are protected content and should not be included in the free Champions League coverage. But isn’t FSE a bit of a different situation?
FSE is a foreign language service, packaged on Directv with other Spanish channels targeted to a Spanish speaking viewer that are otherwise unattractive to an English speaking fan. Moreover, the game normally carried on the channel involves one of the big Spanish clubs (today we are missing the Barcelona match). If Fox, UEFA, or Directv wishes to gateway the game in relation to another Fox service, this would be understood. After all, the coverage is FREE to Directv subscribers and is unparalleled, matched only by the Europa League games presented in the same excellent manner.
The feed of the games carried on FSE is available to subscribers of foxsoccer.tv over the internet, which has the English UEFA feed, while it is presumed Directv is carrying the Spanish language feed on Fox Sports Espanol. The absence of these games can be frustrating to a viewer who pays the money for all of the Fox Soccer services carried in English, especially given the almost complete slate of games we are allowed to view every matchday.
While it would be hoped that the parties here take a look at the FSE dilemma, the fact remains that this is GREAT coverage and another sign of how far soccer has grown in the States from an exposure standpoint. Directv obviously feels that a market exists for the games and they have become a must see for the soccer fan on UEFA matchdays.
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get a spanish package from directv, they are cheaper than the english packages but come with english channels too, plus you can only get espn deportes on the spanish package and this year all barcelona games have been on that channel while all real madrid games on goltv. o0o and dont forget the free spanish la liga games directv also dishes out, i love directv more than girlfriend.
FOX Deportes is INCLUDED with the DIRECTV Sports Pack, the same package that contains FOX Soccer Channel and GOLTV.
You will need to upgrade to the “5 LNB” DIRECTV satellite dish in order to receive FOX Deportes via DIRECTV.
Call 1-800-DIRECTV to upgrade your satellite dish if you subscribe to the DIRECTV Sports Pack but you can’t receive FOX Deportes.
Nitpicking, but it is no longer called Fox Sports en Espanol. As of October, the channel is now known as Fox Deportes. They have a new logo, too.
Come on guys do your research about the availability of FSD and the fact that it includes English SAP. And UEFA probably doesn’t care about the satellite requirements for us to get that 8th live game on a Spanish station given that it would be tape delayed on 2 other channels.
and as a reminder ESPN Deportes wasn’t free either and wasn’t even in the sports pack.
I was told by a Directv rep that when FSE (now Deportes) moved off the 600 level and is now only on channel 425, it is only on the Spanish level…
I have the 5LNB dish and get the “you must subscribe to this service” when I click on the mosaic…if my system is not working and the Directv CSR was wrong, I am more than happy to be corrected on the issue.
ESPN Deportes has always been a Spanish only service, is not an issue with the Fox services and the UEFA coverage. Thank you for the comments on the issue.
FOX Deportes is still available on DIRECTV Channel 624. It should still be part of the Sports Pack.
I work for DISH Network and they have ESPN Deportes as well. And DISH has lower prices; DirecTV’s basic Latino package costs more than two of DISH Network’s Latino packages put together and DirecTV does not offer an all-Spanish package.
Can someone confirm for me if Fox Deportes really does come with an English SAP?
confirmed. at least it is on comcast as well as directv.
Thanks – I can only get DirecTV LA though – I’ll check them