Japanese fans facing Women's World Cup TV blackout

Maybe they will reach a deal to show only Japan's games. That would satisfy the vast majority.

Let’s not forget that it was Nadeshiko’s win in 2011 that got Japan out of the doldrums after the disaster in Tohoku. Sawa san and that team saved Japan!

They still had to ride in economy while Blue Samurai men’s team rode in business class, even though they lost every game.

There are two VPN companies/providers, both have multiplatform, tech support, split tunneling, smartDNS.

Hint N and E.....

He said fans in Japan would be able to watch games for free on the world governing body's FIFA Plus website, but would not be able to listen to Japanese commentary.

They can watch for free and not have to listen to commentators who have no idea what they are talking about blatantly cheering on Japan while completely ignoring the other team, and not having a clue about their players? Win-win.

They can watch for free and not have to listen to commentators who have no idea what they are talking about blatantly cheering on Japan while completely ignoring the other team, and not having a clue about their players? Win-win.

I completely agree.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been critical of broadcasters, who he said offered "100 times less" to screen the Women's World Cup compared to the men's tournament.

I really hate this guy. He is just about money. Increased the men's draw to 64 just for money. Wants broadcasters to pay ridiculous amounts for a product they will lose most of their investment in, because he wants more money. And of course he can use this as a slight against women's soccer saying if you don't pay you are discriminating against women. But that is false. Unfortunately women's soccer is not the TV draw that men's soccer is now. Perhaps in the future. But for now is it economics.

That said, I hope they reach a deal and we can see the games. Why doesn't NHK step up, we pay them enough money every month!

I believe that the Tour of Britain women's race was cancelled this year due to lack of sponsorship.... all about the munnee. as MarkX sates above: "Perhaps in the future. But for now is it economics." (sic). something of a chicken and egg situation, in reverse. if companies invest, then women's sports will get seen, and increase in popularity.... and so on and so forth....

Never mind the too cute "Nadeshiko" label (as opposed to the gigantic man-penis "SAMURAI JAPAN!" for the men), or the fact that they are better than the men in terms of global competitiveness, this tells you all you need to know what the men at the top of of Japanese sports/government/politics think about the value of women in sports.

Not only to they get crappy seats on the plane, they cannot even get broadcast to the home crowd.

Pathetic.

He said fans in Japan would be able to watch games for free on the world governing body's FIFA Plus website, but would not be able to listen to Japanese commentary.

Problem solved. Hate listening to the Japanese commentary anyway. It's basically a an annoying cheerleading session for the Japanese team.

Come on, women of Japan! Demand that NHK pick up the broadcasting rights to this. It's why you pay a broadcasting fee, right? I'll sign your petition, or whatever.

Why don't people just listen to it on the radio or go to the stadium and watch it live? Who cares about soccer anyway? Baseball, the superior sport, is Japan's national sport. And the women don't even bother trying to play that. They play softball instead. While many may feel sorry for the lasses not being televised, the truth of the matter is that women's sports just don't sell well. It's simple economics really. Unfortunate? Yes, but despite the women being competitive internationally, nobody really cares.

Is Dentsu involved?

Gruth be told, a women soccer game has not the same taste as the men's.

Since ladies expect to be paid like men, the fee of FIFA is much higher than before.

The in between is lost hence that situation.

itsonlyrocknroll

There are two VPN companies/providers, both have multiplatform, tech support, split tunneling, smartDNS.

Hint N and E.....

There are a lot more than two. But, a VPN isn't necessary, anyway, to watch the matches:

*"He said fans in Japan would be able to watch games for free on the world governing body's FIFA Plus website, but would not be able to listen to Japanese commentary."*

(Of course, JA commentary wouldn't be available on any of the foreign broadcasters accessed thru VPN, either.)

Speed

"He said fans in Japan would be able to watch games for free on the world governing body's FIFA Plus website, but would not be able to listen to Japanese commentary."

Problem solved. Hate listening to the Japanese commentary anyway.

For you, it is. But, not for the possibly millions (if the team is doing well) of Japanese who would like to watch with their native language commentary.

It's basically a an annoying cheerleading session for the Japanese team.

Which seems to suit the average Japanese sports fan just fine. In fact, they may prefer it that way.

@garypen..yeah, Lot more than two than N and E, but Es own Aircove Router is by the far the most simple and easiest way to utilize a VPN connection for home use. They're servers are quick and more importantly they keep everything unblocked. Pay for what you get.

Sports coverage in Japan has regressed awfully over the last few years.

theResident - Sports coverage in Japan has regressed awfully over the last few years.

In what way? I haven't noticed any reduction in local sports coverage. And, for global sports, they show MLB , FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup, Tennis, Olympics, etc.

Are you referring to quality?

No, I am referring to International Sports. Many of my Japanese Colleagues prefer to watch sport with English commentary as Japanese commentary is appalling. As various streaming companies have bought the rights to everything it's become pricier to access across multiple platforms. You are better off subscribing to Sky from the UK, or YTTV from the US, installing a top notch VPN and having access to everything. The pre game/match shows / halftime / analysis, highlight shows is abundance. Period. You can argue all you want, but Intl sports coverage here maybe be abundant across various platforms but the quality of presentation is terrible.

theResident

(lots of unnecessary words) You can argue all you want, but Intl sports coverage here maybe be abundant across various platforms but the quality of presentation is terrible.

A. I wasn't arguing. I was asking a question. (quantity or quality?)

B. You finally answered the question at the very end. (quality)

Hi garypen, I spend a lot of my feet up, down time, Pimms "o" clock viewing UK content.

BBC, an example, has invested in cutting edge pattern/signature matching tech, along side deep packet inspection to, sense data leakage, any protocol anomalies.

There are, as you rightly point out numerous VPN services, I personally use one of the two I have mentioned.

Personal preference.

Both have invested heavily in honing the tech to provide a polished product.

itsonlyrocknroll

Hi garypen, I spend a lot of my feet up, down time, Pimms "o" clock viewing UK content.

BBC, an example, has invested in cutting edge pattern/signature matching tech, along side deep packet inspection to, sense data leakage, any protocol anomalies.

There are, as you rightly point out numerous VPN services, I personally use one of the two I have mentioned.

Personal preference.

Both have invested heavily in honing the tech to provide a polished product.

I don't want to stray too far off-topic. (Although, one could argue that VPN's enable JT members to view these sports that may not be available here in Japan, or to enjoy them in their native languages, even if they are.)

I watch a lot of BBC, as well. (ITV and Channel 4, too) My $40 lifetime VPN service (VPN Unlimited) works fine with the main UK streaming apps/sites, as it does with US streamers. (I haven't needed to connect to other countries.)

For people on a tight budget (or are just thrifty, like me) who are looking to view sports not shown in Japan, or prefer commentary from their native broadcasters, there are more affordable alternatives to the expensive VPN's.

@Jonathan PrinToday 03:29 pm JST

Gruth be told, a women soccer game has not the same taste as the men's.

Not much of a fan of the game, are you? I've seen some pretty incredible women's soccer games. The physical difference between men and women is natural, but when you watch the immaculate game with an understanding of that difference you can truly appreciate the efforts of the players. And you should spell-check before you post. 'Gruth'?