Liverpool switch on to own digital channels for pre-season matches
June 28 – Liverpool are to show their six pre-season matches live on their own digital broadcast channels LFCTV and LFCTV GO.
The decision to broadcast on their own networks marks a growing trend away from traditional TV broadcast networks for pre-season games. Broadcasters are not prepared to stump up the cash for pre-season games that are generally of dubious quality and often missing big name players.
In Liverpool's case the games will be available to subscribers only, though some territories may block certain games – the club said viewing rights will vary in the USA, Portugal, Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, France, Monaco, Andorra and Mauritius.
For digital subscribers the channel will also create exclusive behind the scenes content of their favourite players as they travel, including player and manager interviews, features and tour videos.
LFCTV is available via Sky and Virgin Media platforms in the UK and Ireland.
Liverpool begin their pre-season July 11 away to Tranmere and the Bradford City before heading to the US for three games in the International Champions Cup against Borussia Dortmund in Boston's Fenway Park (part of their ownership group's assets), Sevilla and Sporting Lisbon. Returning to Europe they play Lyon at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, and Napoli in Geneva. The season starts for real against Manchester City in the Community Shield August 4.
Jul 11 Tranmere Rovers 7:30pm / 2:30pm Prenton Park, Birkenhead
Jul 14 Bradford City 3pm / 10am Valley Park, Bradford
Jul 19 Borussia Dortmund 1am / 8pm Notre Dame Stadium, Indiana
Jul 21 Sevilla 11pm / 6pm Fenway Park, Boston
Jul 24 Sporting 1am / 8pm Yankee Stadium, New York
Jul 28 Napoli 5pm / 12pm Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Jul 31 Lyon 6pm / 1pm Stade de Geneve, Geneva
Aug 4 Manchester City* 3pm / 10am Wembley Stadium, London