Even Fox executives called it the worst-kept secret in broadcasting, but the details are now out of the bag. On August 17, Fox will re-launch its Speed channel from an auto-racing network to an ESPN-style general sports outlet.
Much of the motivation for this move has been chronicled in past articles, so let’s focus on what this means to you.
What will Fox Sports 1 air?
A lot of things Bay Area sports fans will want to watch. Like Pac-12 college football and basketball. These were events carried last year on FX (football) or distributed by FSN (both). FSN events were recently carried here by KICU channel 36, which signed up for football but only added eight of the total 18 basketball matchups at the last minute. These will all move to FS1 next season.
You’ll also want to note that the Pac-12 Football Championship game will move there in 2014. It currently airs on channel 2 and will do so this December for the last time.
FS1 will also carry Big 12 and Conference USA football and hoops, as well as the Big Ten Football Championship game which has also previously aired on channel 2.
Though an announcement hasn’t come yet, in what’s being billed as the second-worst-kept secret in sports broadcasting, Fox is expected to finalize a deal to bring “New Big East” (a.k.a. the Catholic 7 Plus 3) Basketball to FS1.
Soccer? How about the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the CONCACAF Champions League. It’ll also carry the Women's World Cup in 2015 and the Men's version in 2018.
NASCAR? Yep, Sprint Cup Series races will move there (or remain there depending on how you look at it) in 2015.
Giants fans, take heed. Most Fox Saturday Baseball contests will shift to FS1 beginning with the 2014 season. In fact, it’ll host Saturday doubleheaders most weeks. Fox itself, channel 2 locally, will only carry 12 games per season. And if the Giants and/or A’s make the playoffs? The Division Series will be split between FS1 and TBS, and FS1 will also air some LCS games.
What else? Well, the UFC which will launch the rebranding on August 17. Also a SportsCenter-type program called “Fox Sports Live”, Fox NFL Every Weekday (Actually called “Fox Football Daily”, like Fox NFL Sunday but…Every Weekday), a panel-discussion program hosted by Regis Philbin (???), and a morning show that launches Super Bowl week.
No surprise: it’ll also have a ticker at the bottom of the screen. Quel surprise: it’ll run commercials in a separate box during live events.
Will you be able to watch it? Tune in to our exciting conclusion next time.
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