or


[01/08/14 - 10:06 AM]
ESPN Names Ian Darke Lead Commentator for 2014 FIFA World Cup
Darke, ESPN's lead voice for international soccer since 2010, will call the Brazil vs. Croatia opening match on Thursday, June 12, in Sao Paulo.
[via press release from ESPN]

ESPN Names Ian Darke Lead Commentator for 2014 FIFA World Cup

Ian Darke will be the lead play-by-play commentator for ESPN during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, it was announced today by Jed Drake, senior vice president and executive producer, ESPN Production. Darke, ESPN's lead voice for international soccer since 2010, will call the Brazil vs. Croatia opening match on Thursday, June 12, in Sao Paulo, the final and other matches, including all U.S. Men's National Team games in the quadrennial tournament (June 12 - July 13).

Following his critically-acclaimed work for ESPN during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Darke joined the company full-time and was named the lead English-language voice for soccer in September 2010, moving from London-based Sky Sports. Darke, who was one of the FIFA World Cup commentators for ESPN and ABC in the U.S. in 1994, has voiced some of the seminal moments in televised soccer in the U.S. during the past four years.

During the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Darke brilliantly captured the game-changing moment during the USA-Brazil quarterfinal match when U.S. forward Abby Wambach scored a miraculous header in the 122nd minute of play. He also provided commentary for the eventual USA vs. Japan final - the most-watched soccer match on ESPN, seen by an average of 13.5 million viewers.

In May 2012, Darke described the heart-throbbing final minutes of the 2011-12 English Premier League season as Manchester City FC scored two stoppage-time goals to win its first title in top division football since 1968.

"Since Ian emerged as our year-round signature voice for soccer, his commentary has elevated our presentation of the sport to new heights," said Drake. "His experience, authenticity and passion resonate tremendously well with our viewers, who have come to expect the highest-quality soccer commentary from ESPN."

Darke added: "I am thrilled to be covering another World Cup for ESPN, particularly in such a fanatical hotbed of the sport as Brazil. The venues mean the match windows will be ideal for the ever increasing and passionate community of soccer fans in the USA, who will see every minute of every game."

In addition to the World Cup, Darke is a contributor for ESPN FC on TV, the company's global soccer news and information television program where he appears on Monday to provide insight on European football - mostly on the Premier League. He periodically writes for www.ESPNFC.com, the leading digital soccer brand.

In the United Kingdom, Darke is the lead football commentator for BT Sport, covering the Barclays Premier League and other major European leagues.

ESPN Inc.'s 2014 FIFA World Cup in the United States

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be ESPN's eighth World Cup and most comprehensive presentation to date. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to air all 64 matches live and in high definition (June 12 - July 13), and WatchESPN will show all ESPN and ESPN2 games. ESPN3, ESPN's live multi-screen sports network available in more than 85 million homes, will present matches live in multiple languages (other than English and Spanish).

Additionally, all ESPN studio programming - World Cup Tonight, ESPN FC World Cup Encore, ESPN FC, editions of SportsCenter, as well as the pre-game, halftime and post-game shows - and ESPN Deportes' game-around-the-game programs will originate from the company's production headquarters throughout the month at Clube dos Marimb�s on the southern tip of the famed Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.

ESPN garnered more than 40 industry awards, including three Sports Emmys, for its presentation of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - more accolades than any single event in the company's history.

ESPN and Past FIFA World Cup Tournaments (Men's):

South Africa 2010 - All 64 matches live and high definition. All World Cup studio programming originated from South Africa

Germany '06 - All 64 matches live and in high definition

Korea/Japan '02 - 58 ESPN and ESPN2 matches live (six tape-delayed broadcasts on ABC)

France '98 - ESPN 27, ESPN2 23 and ABC Sports 14 (all 64 matches live)

USA '94 - ESPN, 41, and ABC, 11 (all 52 matches)

Mexico '86 - ESPN, 15 matches (U.S. cable television rights)

Spain '82 - ESPN, 7 matches





  [january 2014]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)




[10/10/26 - 03:56 PM]
"Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Returns to New York Comic-Con with Walker Scobell on the Main Stage to Talk Season Three
During the panel, Scobell announced that season three will have a two-episode premiere on November 20, followed by two new episodes dropping each week on Disney+ and Hulu.
[10/10/26 - 01:20 PM]
"Star Trek" Beams Into the Big Apple to Celebrate "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" and 60 Years of the Iconic Franchise at New York Comic Con
Bill Nighy and Rosemarie DeWitt will guest star in the upcoming season, which will premiere March 2027 on Paramount+.
[10/10/26 - 09:30 AM]
"Bob's Burgers" Hulu-Exclusive Holiday Short to Premiere December 7
In "On the Fort Day of Christmas," a record-breaking Christmas snowstorm means one thing to the Belcher kids - a record-breaking Christmas snow fort.
[10/09/26 - 05:00 PM]
Adult Swim's Acclaimed Animated Thriller "Common Side Effects" Returns January 24
The news was announced today at New York Comic Con by co-creators Joe Bennett and Steve Hely.
[10/09/26 - 03:18 PM]
All Seasons of "The Walking Dead" Series Available on AMC+ for the First Time Ever, Beginning January 7
The pop culture phenomenon, which launched a television franchise, joins AMC+'s "The Walking Dead Universe" Collection, including all six spin-off series, totaling 371 episodes, as well as exclusive specials, bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, Comic-Con panels and more.

[10/09/26 - 03:02 PM]
News from AMC Global Media's New York Comic Con Panels
Highlights include premiere windows for the new seasons of "Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches" (Wednesday, December 30) and "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon" (February 2027).
[10/09/26 - 11:15 AM]
Video: Prime Video Unveils Explosive Teaser and Premiere Date for New Original Series, "Bloodaxe" from the Creator of "Vikings"
All eight episodes will premiere Wednesday, January 20, 2027 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
[10/09/26 - 09:14 AM]
Avatar Takes to the Stage at New York Comic Con - "Avatar: Seven Havens" Renewed for Books 3 and 4, New Animated Series "Avatar Kuruk: Wave of Chaos" Coming to Paramount+
In "Avatar Kuruk: Wave of Chaos" a rebellious teenage Avatar bucks thousands of years of tradition by choosing to learn the four elements through globetrotting adventures, staying one step ahead of his angry teacher, rowdy pirates, and chaotic spirits - all while helping the world in his own unique ways.

[10/09/26 - 09:01 AM]
Season Two of "Little House on the Prairie" Wraps Production and Rounds Out Cast
Season two follows the next book in the series, "On the Banks of Plum Creek."
[10/09/26 - 06:01 AM]
Date Announcement: "Dragon Ball Super: Beerus" Premieres Oct. 11 - Enhanced Version of the Hit Anime Comes to Hulu
Featuring more immersive battle sequences and an even more faithful representation of the original manga, "Dragon Ball Super: Beerus" offers both long-time fans and new audiences a fresh way to experience one of anime's most celebrated stories.
[10/09/26 - 06:01 AM]
Apple TV Unveils First Look at "Prodigies," New Series Starring Will Sharpe and Ayo Edebiri
The seven-episode season premieres globally on Wednesday, February 10, 2027 with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly until March 17, 2027.
[10/09/26 - 05:11 AM]
Netflix Announces a Fictional Miniseries Inspired by the Daniel Sancho Case
Produced by Bambú Producciones, the as-yet-untitled miniseries is executive produced by Ramón Campos.
[10/09/26 - 05:01 AM]
"Under Siege" Arrives on Netflix on November 6
The fictional series is inspired by true and publicly known events that took place on November 6 and 7, 1985, and recounts the siege of the Palace of Justice by an M-19 guerrilla commando and the subsequent retaking of the building by the Colombian Army.
[10/09/26 - 03:31 AM]
Netflix Premieres the Documentary "Unprotected: Murder in Galicia" on November 6
The film tells the story of Isabel Fuentes, whose case took place in Galicia in 2015 and was marked by the circumstances surrounding the crime and shortcomings in the protection of the victim.
[10/09/26 - 02:21 AM]
Video: "How to Ruin Diwali" Season 1 - Trailer - Netflix
A hidden engagement forces a proud Zulu family and an Indian medical dynasty under one roof as secrets and colliding customs threaten to derail Diwali.