Substitution Effects and the Transnational Demand for European Soccer Telecasts

European soccer leagues’ internationalization efforts have significantly increased the number of available telecasts abroad. In US, this has fueled discussions about degree audience overlap between networks broadcasting international soccer. However, whether and to what extent different leagues indeed constitute substitutes never been explored empirically. Drawing on US data for Bundesliga telecasts, we analyze impact scheduling clashes with Premier League, La Liga, Serie A games. Econometric demand models reveal sizeable substitution effects caused primarily by overlapping League games, suggesting significant competition in market.