Posted by I am a huge fan of the Mexican first division, the Liga MX. There are many reasons why I am so enamored with this league, some of which I outlined in a piece I wrote for The Short Pass a few weeks ago (http://www.theshortpass.com/2018/07/why-you-should-be-watching-the-liga-mx/). However, there was one important reason I left out, as it only applies to U.S. audiences. That reason is Univision’s Liga MX broadcasts.
Owned by Univision Communications, Univision is one of the two biggest U.S. Spanish-language broadcast networks, along with Telemundo. The network has exclusive broadcast rights for all 18 Liga MX teams, making it the only place to watch Liga MX in the U.S. Much of this coverage is conducted through Univision’s sports division, Univision Deportes. All of the matches are shown on Univision Deportes in standard definition. However, at least two Saturday games (usually at 8pm and 10pm eastern) and one Sunday game (usually at 1pm eastern) are simulcast on Univision Deportes and Univision or UniMás in High Definition. The Saturday night simulcasts are known as “Sábado Futbolero” (Soccer-loving Saturday). Univision’s answer to the NFL’s Monday Night Football, Sábado Futbolero comes complete with its own theme song and video, called “Sábados Futboleros”, performed by Mexican singer and actress Ninel Conde.
At least part of the pre-game, halftime and post-game coverage of every match takes place at Univision Deportes’ main studio in Miami. However, Univision usually deploys their game announcers to the stadiums where the games are taking place. This contrasts with the coverage provided by beIN Sports/beIN Sports en español, which has the broadcast rights to Ligue 1, Serie A and La Liga in the U.S. Instead of sending their announcers to the match sites, beIN Sports has its talent commentate the games from its Miami studio.
A standout feature of Univision’s Liga MX telecasts is the composition of the in-game broadcast team. Unlike many American or British sports broadcasts, which often have a play-by-play announcer accompanied by a single color analyst, Univision has at least three people working each game (a play-by-play announcer accompanied by at least two color analysts). The play-by-play duties are usually shared, with one person doing the first half and then working as an analyst during the second half, allowing one of the first half analysts to call the second half. This makes for much more varied commentary.
A further difference between the typical American or British sports broadcast and Univision’s Liga MX telecasts is the role of the on-field reporter. The on-field reporter’s contribution to an American or British sports broadcast is usually secondary, as they are only consulted a handful of times during a game. On the other hand, the on-field reporter for a Univision Liga MX presentation functions as an additional color analyst with significant participation. As a result, the Liga MX broadcasts are much more analysis-focused and conversational than an American or British sports broadcast. And, unlike American or British broadcasts where the color analyst making an involved point often finds himself talking over a quickly-developing play, the more conversational approach of the Univision broadcasts allow the color analyst to more readily cede the call to the play-by-play man in the middle of a conversation or analytical tangent when it looks like a chance is about to be created.
Although the use of multiple analysts means that the play-by-play announcers are less involved than they are with other networks, there are idiosyncrasies specific to Mexican soccer that make their contributions extremely enjoyable. First, Mexican play-by-play announcers, like many of their South American counterparts, are very excitable. The primal screams of “GOLLLLLL!” that punctuate each goal are a well-known element of Spanish-language soccer play-by-play. Yet, a missed chance, red card, or even a corner kick is often enough to provoke hysterics from a Mexican play-by-play announcer. Second, many of the play-by-play announcers on Univision are colorful characters who animate even the most boring game. For example, Enrique Bermúdez, nicknamed “El Perro” (the dog), has a voice so deep that he is nearly impossible to understand. Many of the announcers, including Bermúdez, provide nicknames for almost every player. One can watch a whole game without hearing a player’s real name spoken. A transcript of the play-by-play of a typical attack might translate to “’The hobbit’ plays the ball to ‘the magician’, who passes it to ‘the assassin’, who drives a low shot past ‘the baby’. GOLLLLL!”
Even though I find Univision’s Liga MX broadcasts to be far more compelling than an American or British equivalent, the telecasts are not without their faults. Univision takes the opportunity to shamelessly promote its upcoming programing during a match. This is accomplished by various picture-in-picture displays throughout the broadcast. During these displays, which usually last a minute or two, the action on the field is relegated to a small box on the screen, and the audio switches to whatever is being promoted. An even more egregious example of distracting the viewer from the match action is the udtech analysis block. Once a match, typically in the second half, a play from earlier in the game is replayed and analyzed in full screen, while the action on the field continues without coverage. During one match, a goal was scored during a udtech presentation and none of the viewers saw it.
Nevertheless, I greatly prefer a Univision broadcast of Liga MX to any other soccer broadcast or sportscast. Univision’s telecasts convey the passion and particularities of Liga MX in a way that other networks fail to do with their respective leagues and sports. Without Univision, Liga MX would still be my favorite league. Yet, Univision’s broadcasts of Liga MX make Mexican soccer an event, and something I look forward to watching every weekend.
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