Watching the Games on TV

John and I were talking about the best way to watch the games (the ones we aren't attending, of course). Basically, we were wondering if it was a better deal to pay $10-$12 dollars per month for Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) and the regional Fox Sports Channels for the 7 month season, or pay for the Direct Kick package offered on most cable networks.

First question - does anyone but Direct TV offer Direct Kick? Answer - Yes. Comcast does offer Direct Kick, as does Dish Network and other providers. I think Comcast is the big cable provider around here, so that should be covered.

How many games will FSC carry? Answer - 30 games. Only two of which will be Fire away games. Three are Fire home games, but only one (the Red Bull Game on Sept. 6) is one we are not attending.

How many games will Direct Kick carry? 100+ a few playoff games. Four are Fire away games and one is a Fire home game we will not be attending.

What does DK cost? Don't know. The price for this season, as far as I can tell, has not been announced. But it looks like $79 is the likely price.

Also of note is that five Fire away games will be nationally broadcast on ESPN2 and HDNet. Personally, I love the HDNet games and recommend to anyone they pick up that channel if they can. Marcello Balboa is the color commentator, and he blows the ESPN crew away (except when Tommy Smyth (the Irish guy) is on and threatening to punch Eric Wynalda).

(See Balboa's Amazing MLS Goal of the Year (Century))

So, what's MY conclusion? Direct Kick obviously gives you a ton more games - but who the heck can watch 100 games? Even I'm not that big a fanatic! And it doesn't give very good coverage of Fire away games. (Actually, Telefutura seems to be the best for that) Also, when the MLS isn't on, you get nothing with Direct Kick. FSC on the other hand has soccer stuff 24/7. (I know this because it was in the hotel in Vegas). They've got soccer news, talk shows, updates on premier leagues, world cup qualifying from every country, more talk shows with unruly British soccer hooligans, and not a moment of "Beckham Cam" to be found (unless their taking a moment out to make fun of ESPN). Plus, if you subscribe for only the 7 months of the season, it costs about the same.

So, my recommendation (what I would do with my money) would be to subscribe to FSC.