By Ben Nicholson
July 24 – NBC Sports, who own the Barclays Premier League broadcasting rights in the US, have teamed up with Fathom Events, a renowned alternative entertainment industry company that offers “one-of-a-kind entertainment events in movie theatres”, to bring the Barclays Premier League to 33 movie theatres across the USA. The pair has struck a deal to show the games on the big screen starting on the opening day of the season, August 16.
They will have a weekly showing of one of the Saturday games that kick off at 10am Eastern Time throughout the season. FathomEvents.com will forewarn fans of which games will be shown the Tuesday of that week within its ‘Barclays Premier League Live’ section, meaning it can tailor its showings to the taste of spectators and to the importance of the game in the spectrum of the league.
They are looking to enhance the regular sofa-viewing experience in the home by adding special features to lure fans through their doors early in the morning. Their website proclaims, “Each week fans will get the chance to experience their favorite clubs on the big screen, and specially produced “theater-only” half-time breaks showcasing bios, interviews, analysis and insights live from England.”
NBC started showing Barclays Premier League matches only last season, and more than doubled the audience that ESPN and FOX Soccer attained with their coverage the previous year. With the record number of US viewers that tuned into the world cup, NBC are looking to expand their audience, and their platform for that audience.
Fathom Events have had success in the past showing live events such as the Olympic Games, boxing an MMA (mixed-martial arts) in cinemas.
Their CEO John Rubey expressed his excitement for the new soccer venture. “It’s clear from the recent nationwide outpouring of support for team USA in the World Cup that more and more Americans are embracing and following this remarkable sport,” he said.
“In this ‘first-ever’ cinema sports series partnership with NBC Sports Group, fans in theaters can expect to get the full Barclays Premier League experience as though they were at one of the famed stadiums in the United Kingdom.”
Whilst the English fans are enjoying their half-time pies, the American fans will have the opportunity to supplement their viewing with buttered popcorn and candy.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734905610labto1734905610ofdlr1734905610owedi1734905610sni@n1734905610osloh1734905610cin.n1734905610eb1734905610