A lot of soccer fans would rather tune in to announcers they don’t fully understand than ones who, they claim, don’t fully understand the sport. Adam Elder reports on English-speaking soccer fans who prefer Spanish-language broadcasts
So does another ritual many American fans practice: simply watching the games in Spanish instead. A lot of people, it turns out, would rather tune in to announcers they don’t fully understand than ones who, they claim, don’t fully understand the sport. These viewers aren’t just a few outliers. During the first two weeks of World Cup coverage, “mostly English” and “only English” viewers made up 25 percent of Telemundo’s audience, per Nielsen.
At first, American soccer fans weren’t willingly turning away from their own language. For years, the world’s game, largely shunned as un-American, was mostly invisible in this country. The only places to catch soccer regularly were in a British pub with an expensive satellite connection or at home on Spanish-language channels. In the ’80s, the production department at SIN caught wind of the English-speaking segment its broadcasts attracted.
Meanwhile, soccer steadily climbed in popularity around the country. But while NBC’s Premier League broadcasts draw sizable viewership, retired U.S. goalkeeperis often the lone American among all the British-accented commentators and analysts. ESPN’s presentation of Spain’s La Liga is also dominated by foreigners, as is CBS’s broadcast of the Champions League, for the most part. Outside of the World Cup, much of America’s best broadcast talent is reserved for Major League Soccer and U.S.
“There is a genuine enthusiasm in most Spanish broadcasters,” he explains, citing not just the excitement in play but the gusto with which they’ll pronounce players names or the silly nicknames they’ll make up. “It’s a love affair, and it’s humorous. They keep the fact that this is a game at the forefront.” in which bilingual fans watched the same soccer match in Spanish or English.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nothing Ear Stick review: Sticks to the basics, nothing to complain about (for this price)The Ear Stick here, stylized as 'Nothing Ear (stick)', is one of Nothing's latest products, and follows the company's now-distinct transparent design language...
Read more »
‘Cerrar los Ojos,’ Directed by Legendary Spanish Filmmaker Victor Erice, Swooped on by Film Factory (EXCLUSIVE)Film Factory Entertainment has picked up international sales rights to Victor Erice’s highly anticipated “Cerrar los ojos,” which marks the fourth feature by the legendary Spanish filmmaker, …
Read more »
New Gen Talent, Animation, IPs Set to Power Up Malaga’s Spanish Screenings ContentAlready part of the biggest national film-TV industry platform in Spain’s history, Malaga Festival’s massive Spanish Screenings Content are set to build yet further in 2023, homing in on poten…
Read more »
For Black Folks, Digital Migration Is Nothing NewTwo Black academics discuss the rationale behind leaving Twitter or going down with the ship.
Read more »
Letters to the Editor: Eric Garcetti's 'promise now, do nothing later' mayorshipLetters to the Editor: Eric Garcetti's goal to eliminate traffic deaths by 2025 contrasts with what actually happened — deaths went up — and showed his leadership style. (via latimesopinion)
Read more »
Meghan Markle, Harry's doc filled with ‘inconsistencies’: 'Nothing in their story stands up,' expert saysPrince Harry and Meghan Markle's docuseries debuted Friday, and royal expert Neil Sean says their stories have 'so many inconsistencies,' including how the Sussexes first met.
Read more »