CBS Sports launches ambitious soccer network
CBS Sports launched the first of its kind, the CBS Sports Golazo Network, on Tuesday.
The 24/7 soccer-specific channel is free to watch through CBSSports.com and can also be streamed through the CBS Sports app, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. The network will regularly broadcast matches from around the globe, in addition to other featured shows like “Morning Footy” and “Box 2 Box” on weekdays.
Additional content includes pre- and post-game analysis, match replays, magazine shows, films and other original programming.
Live matches featured in the first two weeks include the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, Italy’s Serie A, Scotland’s SPFL, Argentina’s LPF Match of the Week, Brazil’s Brasileirão Match of the Week and the NWSL. While most live matches will be a traditional soccer broadcast, select matches in the Champions League and Serie A will feature a second-screen tactical cam.
The network has a stacked cast of personalities from ex-players including Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, Ray Hudson, Charlie Davies and Jimmy Conrad to well-established broadcasters like Kate Abdo, Poppy Miller, Sussanah Collins, Andres Cordero, Matteo Bonnetti and lead Champions League commentator Clive Tyldesley.
This venture is not something new to CBS Sports, as CBS Sports HQ follows a similar model and has been around since 2018. It seems as if they like that and believe soccer would follow suit.
The network’s debut seemed pretty smooth and solid. It was a day full of news and live match coverage, with the first leg of the Champions League kicking off in the afternoon.
Will the CBS Sports Golazo Network be a success?
There is certainly no shortage of talent currently on staff. As long as CBS retains the rights for the UEFA Champions League, this has a chance. CBS Sports has rights to the Champions League until 2030, so this is certainly an investment worth trying.
The only other comparable ambition was when Fox Sports launched Fox Soccer in 1997. That lasted a few years and broadcasted a variety of games, but eventually fell by the wayside. That operation still exists in the form of Fox Soccer Plus, but is behind the paywall in sports television packages and primarily broadcasts rugby and Aussie Rules football rather than actual soccer.
This network has the ability to run at a much lower cost than it takes to run a channel on TV. Rapid communication also makes it much easier to access and discuss news, highlights and other information.
The key for CBS is to retain and continue to gain more broadcasting rights. As long as they have plenty of live soccer to broadcast, this network stands a good chance of surviving.
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