Soccer News: Time Warner Cable Deportes Announces Plans for Unique Coverage of Local High School Sports

As soccer becomes more popular in America, viewers demand more TV programming on this sport. Fox has always been serious about soccer. Now Time Warner in the Southern California market is becoming more dedicated to providing great coverage with innovative and unique programming.

Time Warner Network programming to include a first-of-its kind series that will highlight young student athletes from the local community

Time Warner Cable Deportes has announced its plans to dedicate a unique level of coverage to local high school sports, including an original program that will showcase the stories of individual student athletes from throughout Southern California. The level and depth of coverage that the network will dedicate to high school sporting events and athletes from the local community is the first of its kind and comes as a result of the network's partnership with the California Interscholastic Federation’s (CIF) Los Angeles City Section.

The network’s coverage of local high schools sports will include live and delayed game broadcasts produced by an independent production and on-air team. To complement and enhance game coverage, Time Warner Cable Deportes also created the uniquely original series of “#LAPREPA,” a weekly half-hour program that will profile the inspiring and often untold stories of young athletes and coaches from the community. The show premiered on Tuesday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m. and will be presented by the networks special correspondent, Enrique Gutierrez. 

“There are so many kids in our community that are giving their best on the field and overcoming incredible challenges that few see because no one is telling their story,” said Pablo F. Urquiza, Vice President of Time Warner Cable Deportes. “We are passionate and committed to sharing these stories with the viewers and families of Los Angeles.”

The new prep-centered program is part of Time Warner Cable Deportes’ efforts to connect with the large Hispanic community in Southern California. While all high school sports will be covered, soccer – which is one of the most popular sports in the region – will be an important component of the coverage.

Soccer is also the focus of three other series: Tu Show Del Fútbol, Historias Detrás Del Balón and Encuentro Deportivo. Tu Show Del Fútbol will offer viewers a daily update on the LA Galaxy, MLS and within the Mexican, South American and European soccer leagues. Encuentro Deportivo is a live, nightly show that updates viewers on the day’s most complete sports activity in Southern California as well as nationally and internationally. Among the guests for the network’s inaugural night were David Beckham and Landon Donovan.

Elmur Souza has interviewed Latin American soccer stars of the past and present for Historias Detrás Del Balón

Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated of the new series is Historias Detrás Del Balón, hosted by Time Warner’s Elmur Souza. The show takes a story-telling approach as it gives viewers an unprecedented look at the lives of some of the top Latin American soccer stars of the past and present.

Souza has interviewed 40 top soccer professionals; all whom he says are very different and unique. "The interviews explore the human side of the soccer player, the highs and lows of his career," says Souza. “Often people in Mexico only think about the glamorous life of a player and this program explores the players' unique stories.”

"From the really poor to the rich, each player has their own different experience and special moments," Souza explains. “We show these players as humans and let the viewers know how they really live and felt during special moments.”

Historias Detrás Del Balón debuted on Tuesday, October 2, at 9:30 p.m. and airs weekly. Tu Show Del Fútbol  airs nightly at 6:00 p.m., except Sunday when it will be broadcast at 10:00 p.m. Encuentro Deportivo airs nightly at 10:00 p.m. Viewers who know of a high school athlete or coach whom they feel should be profiled on #LAPREPA should contact Time Warner Cable Deportes.

Time Warner Cable Deportes and English language station Time Warner Cable SportsNet are currently only available on Time Warner Cable systems and can be found in high-definition on channel 481 and 403, respectively. The networks are available to all cable, satellite and telco providers and negotiations to carry the networks are ongoing but have not yet concluded. Fans who don’t have Time Warner Cable can visit www.iwantmylakers.com or www.quieromislakers.com and fill in their zip code and provider information or call 855-4-MY-LAKERS or 1-800-700-2827 (Spanish) to tell their providers they want to watch the networks.

For more information about the networks, visit www.twcsportsnet.com and www.twcdeportes.com. Follow the networks on Twitter @TWCSportsNet and @TWCDeportes and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TWCSportsNet and www.facebook.com/TWCDeportes.