NBC just released channel assignments for the first three weeks of its Premier League coverage which begins Saturday, August 17 at 7:00 AM ET on NBC Sports Network with the Liverpool-Stoke City matchup.
NBC Sports Group, in the coming days, will launch an interactive game finder (via NBCSports.com) to provide fans with details on how to find Premier League games on TV, online and on mobile devices, based upon where they live and their TV provider. NBC Sports Group will make available in the United States all 380 games from the Premier League. That’s more than anywhere else on the globe (including the U.K.).
In the first three weeks, NBC and NBC Sports Network will televise 17 Premier League matches. The remaining matches will be made available on Premier League Extra Time, a bonus television package available to MVPDs at no extra cost for customers who receive NBC Sports Network.
Lead play-by-play voice Arlo White joins former Premier League star and four-time league champion Lee Dixon to call the 12:30 PM ET Saturday matches on NBC in the first three weeks – Swansea vs Manchester United on Aug. 17; Aston Villa vs Liverpool on Aug. 24; and Crystal Palace vs Sunderland on Aug. 31.
White teams with Graeme Le Saux, the former Premier League star to call two Sunday matches and one Monday game on NBC Sports Network in the first three weeks – Chelsea vs Hull City at 11:00 AM ET on Sunday, Aug. 18; Manchester United vs Chelsea at 3:00 PM ET on Monday, Aug. 26; and Liverpool vs Manchester United at 8:30 AM ET on Sunday, Sept. 1.
Saturday, August 17, 7:45 AM ET on NBCSN
Swansea v Manchester United
Manager David Moyes takes the reins of the Premier League’s most decorated team – returning champions Manchester United – from their legendary manager of over 26 years, Sir Alex Ferguson. The Red Devils’ first test comes against a fiery Swansea side.
Sunday, August 18, 11:00 AM ET on NBCSN & mun2
Manchester United v Chelsea
In just the second week of the campaign, last season’s first- and third-place finishers meet at the Premier League’s largest stadium, Manchester United’s Old Trafford. Eight of the last nine Premier League titles have been won by either United or Chelsea and both clubs will be under tremendous scrutiny this season with new managers.
Sunday, September 1, 8:30 AM ET on NBSCN & Telemundo
Liverpool v Manchester United
The two most decorated teams in English football history simply do not like each other. At Liverpool’s historic Anfield, the Reds’ beloved captain and star Steven Gerrard, aka “Stevie G”, will look to help his side earn three points against United in the Premier League for the first time since March 2011.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, a Fox Sports affiliate. He is also an analyst for 95.7 The Fan, and writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. President Obama follows his Twitter account (@PaulMBanks)