They do actually have 3 commentary teams out there - Joe Speight and Lee Dixon are in Brazil.
I can them using Clive 'n' Andy on the Saturday game (in Rio), Matterface and Carlisle on probably the Netherlands v Mexico one (onsite) on Sunday and Speight & Dixon on the other game - Costa Rica v Greece (onsite). And then Clive & Andy again on the Monday game - Germany v Algeria.
I could be totally wrong but that's what seems likely to me.
They might have 3 teams out in Brazil but Speight and Dixon are based in Brazil and their commentary's so far have been offtube. If they are going to be onsite for the knockout round then there was no reason why they couldn't have for the group stages.
Was that an experiment in the second half with Patrick Viera appearing in the corner of the screen for five minutes and describing the action through interpretive dance? I'd like to see more in the future, it was a bold decision but they pulled it off. Viera even pulled off the leotard. It really helped convey the emotions of Blight (Seeing as they're such a successful partnership, they deserve their own name)
They might have 3 teams out in Brazil but Speight and Dixon are based in Brazil and their commentary's so far have been offtube. If they are going to be onsite for the knockout round then there was no reason why they couldn't have for the group stages.
The worst thing is that when Speight and Dixon are doing the games off-tube, they're actually watching episodes of Midsomer Murders on ITV3.
And they're not even new episodes. They're repeats.
All I know from following Steve Wilson on Twitter is that he'll be doing Belgium v USA for BBC (and Greece v Costa Rica for BBC highlights).
I assume on the ITV side Clive 'n' Andy will be doing the Uruguay game
All I know from following Steve Wilson on Twitter is that he'll be doing Belgium v USA for BBC (and Greece v Costa Rica for BBC highlights).
I assume on the ITV side Clive 'n' Andy will be doing the Uruguay game
Columbia V Uruguay - Adrian Chiles presenting with Dixon, Wright and O'Neill - Tyldesley and Townsend commentating
Holland V Mexico - Adrian Chiles presenting with Hoddle, Cannavaro and O'Neill - Matterface and Carlisle commentating.
Costa Rica V Greece - Matt Smith presenting with Hoddle, Strachan and Wright - Speight and Dixon commentating.
Germany V Algeria - Adrian Chiles presenting with Hoddle, Strachan and Dixon - Tyldesley and Townsend commentating.
All from ITV press centre. Bit surprised it's Hoddle that gets used three times. I'm glad Martin O'Neill is doing the 5pm game - I think ITV's best coverage has been for that slot so a shame they don't have a few more of them. Interesting that Cannavaro is only being used once - suggests they've not been that impressed with him either. I think the Germany V Algeria line-up is their strongest in terms of not having either Wright or Cannavaro in it, though O'Neill is my favourite of their pundits. If they mainly focus on Hoddle, Dixon, Strachan and O'Neill I think they'll have the edge on the BBC and if it's Hoddle, Dixon and O'Neill for the final I reckon I'll watch ITV's coverage instead of the BBC's.
So ITV get 3 consecutive games yet they only have 2 sets of onsite comms and given the logistical problems we are told about, will they have to use offtube commentary for a knockout match? Surely not.
Yes I do agree with you here, surely all games from now on will be on site?
ITV really haven't done bad on picks so far and must admit very surprised they got 2nd 3rd and 4th picks here and still get the Germany game.
Am I right in saying they will also get first pick in the quarter final but BBC get ist choice in Semi?
Speight and Dixon's game is in Recife. What are the chances of them flying out there considering Dixon is in the studio in Rio on Saturday/Monday night? It would be really poor if they did a knockout game offtube considering they only have 4 of them!
Speight and Dixon's game is in Recife. What are the chances of them flying out there considering Dixon is in the studio in Rio on Saturday/Monday night? It would be really poor if they did a knockout game offtube considering they only have 4 of them!
Surely there is no excuse for not being there on site? these games have been announced well in advance so plenty of time to make any necessary arrangements.
Cant believe its even a possibility for such a massive tournament at such a important stage.
Really anoraky question this, but one that might be of interest (and hopefully can be answered by) those of you keeping a record of the commentators used by ITV and the BBC.
Watching ITV's coverage of the final Group H games last night, I noticed that for their highlights of the Group G finale, while John Helm's world feed commentary was used for Portugal v Ghana, Joe Speight did the USA v Germany game. Yet when checking for the three minute edit on ITV.com of that match just now, I notice they've used Gary Bloom's world feed commentary instead. ITV.com have also taken the world feed for their brief edits of all of the ITV4 live games bar Bosnia and Herzegovina v Iran for some reason.
So, seeing as the ITV.com edits don't always match up against what went out on television, I was wondering if anyone knew how many commentaries ITV have done in-house for games they did not show live during the group stage. I believe Joe Speight has commentated on highlights of England v Italy, Brazil v Mexico and USA v Germany - is that all or are there any further games I have missed out? Thanks in advance.
I agree it is poor and there is simply no excuse at all for them not being onsite for these knockout games, not that there was for the group stages either. The logistics/travel excuse really doesn't apply now either as there are less games and the travel between venues isn't really applicable now so there really isn't a need for a backup commentator.
ITV also have the Colombia v Uruguay match live which is being held in Rio which again helps them out given that is where they're based and gives them more flexibility. Also the fact that Dixon has got good reviews so far as a co-comm and Townsend always being poor ( i noticed an article in The Daily Telegraph yesterday taking the piss out of him) then surely they could swap the pairing around, which might give them even more flexibility.
Columbia V Uruguay - Adrian Chiles presenting with Dixon, Wright and O'Neill - Tyldesley and Townsend commentating
Holland V Mexico - Adrian Chiles presenting with Hoddle, Cannavaro and O'Neill - Matterface and Carlisle commentating.
Costa Rica V Greece - Matt Smith presenting with Hoddle, Strachan and Wright - Speight and Dixon commentating.
Germany V Algeria - Adrian Chiles presenting with Hoddle, Strachan and Dixon - Tyldesley and Townsend commentating.
All from ITV press centre. Bit surprised it's Hoddle that gets used three times. I'm glad Martin O'Neill is doing the 5pm game - I think ITV's best coverage has been for that slot so a shame they don't have a few more of them. Interesting that Cannavaro is only being used once - suggests they've not been that impressed with him either. I think the Germany V Algeria line-up is their strongest in terms of not having either Wright or Cannavaro in it, though O'Neill is my favourite of their pundits. If they mainly focus on Hoddle, Dixon, Strachan and O'Neill I think they'll have the edge on the BBC and if it's Hoddle, Dixon and O'Neill for the final I reckon I'll watch ITV's coverage instead of the BBC's.
ITV clearly are fans of Dixon (as you'd expect) but also Hoddle - both involved in 3 of the 4 games ITV have in some way.
Nice to see ITV have either Straachan or O'Neill as pundits in every game too - both are always good value.
Germany v Algeria certainly the strongest line-up in terms of pundits for me but I'm glad to see Speight & Dixon commentate again (though hopefully it's on-site - I'd hope so at least since Dixon does probably have 24 hours to get from Rio to Recife which from quick research is about 3 hours and do-able you'd think).
As I say off-tube isn't that huge an issue for me - especially since the Speight & Dixon offtube stuff has been very good and hasn't reduced the quality of their commentary (and I feel the BBC Euro 2012 broadcasting from Salford was probably just as bad and ruined the tournament feel there more than a few off-tube commentaries have this time for ITV ).
But ideally it'd be onsite but we'll have to wait and see I guess.
I do think if ITV had been sensible they could have done it so Dixon commentated on the Saturday game (with it in Rio so no travel involved), doing punditry on the early Sunday game then commentating again on the Monday game in Porto Alegre (not too far from Rio and certainly do-able). It may have meant Clive 'n' Andy being separated for one round - but I doubt many would've complained.
They do actually have 3 commentary teams out there - Joe Speight and Lee Dixon are in Brazil.
I can them using Clive 'n' Andy on the Saturday game (in Rio), Matterface and Carlisle on probably the Netherlands v Mexico one (onsite) on Sunday and Speight & Dixon on the other game - Costa Rica v Greece (onsite). And then Clive & Andy again on the Monday game - Germany v Algeria.
I could be totally wrong but that's what seems likely to me.
Think that was a pretty good guess if I do say so myself.
Really anoraky question this, but one that might be of interest (and hopefully can be answered by) those of you keeping a record of the commentators used by ITV and the BBC.
Watching ITV's coverage of the final Group H games last night, I noticed that for their highlights of the Group G finale, while John Helm's world feed commentary was used for Portugal v Ghana, Joe Speight did the USA v Germany game. Yet when checking for the three minute edit on ITV.com of that match just now, I notice they've used Gary Bloom's world feed commentary instead. ITV.com have also taken the world feed for their brief edits of all of the ITV4 live games bar Bosnia and Herzegovina v Iran for some reason.
So, seeing as the ITV.com edits don't always match up against what went out on television, I was wondering if anyone knew how many commentaries ITV have done in-house for games they did not show live during the group stage. I believe Joe Speight has commentated on highlights of England v Italy, Brazil v Mexico and USA v Germany - is that all or are there any further games I have missed out? Thanks in advance.
Those are the only three that differ, although the Russia v South Korea highlights went out on TV with a Matt Smith voiceover rather than the Kevin Keatings world feed commentary; I think they've done this with one or two other games as well.
All eight world feed commentators have appeared on ITV's television coverage at some stage of this World Cup - meaning that the coverage has used 13 commentators: A record that will surely never be beaten.*
The BBC have used five of the world feeders on highlights/online coverage: Woods, Fisher, Roder, O'Hagan and Keatings. So they've used 10 in total.
I've really enjoyed having the mixture of in-house and world feed commentaries at this World Cup. It's been good to hear some of the MOTD lower order regulars on a major tournament, as well as wallow in a bit of nostalgia by hearing John Helm on a World Cup again! (I'm quite old, you see.)
*Edit: And that doesn't include Archie McPherson's online-only commentary on England v Uruguay for STV.
Thanks very much for posting such a comprehensive reply Johnny, it is much appreciated.
I have also enjoyed hearing the international feed on the BBC and ITV coverage. It's a nice difference from the norm of all/almost all of the commentaries used being done in-house and the international feed commentaries I've heard bits of have been of a high standard. It's been particularly nice to hear Gary Bloom back on mainstream football coverage for the first time in around ten years.
Seems a bit unexpected that the BBC has a 5pm game on both Mon and Tue given its the 2nd week of Wimbeldon.
In particular on Monday - everyone plays their 4th round match on Monday so you would have thought they would want Murray 3rd on Centre Court for the usual over-run into BBC1 early evening.
As it is, presumably Murray will now be 1st on court at 1pm.
Those are the only three that differ, although the Russia v South Korea highlights went out on TV with a Matt Smith voiceover rather than the Kevin Keatings world feed commentary; I think they've done this with one or two other games as well.
All eight world feed commentators have appeared on ITV's television coverage at some stage of this World Cup - meaning that the coverage has used 13 commentators: A record that will surely never be beaten.*
The BBC have used five of the world feeders on highlights/online coverage: Woods, Fisher, Roder, O'Hagan and Keatings. So they've used 10 in total.
I've really enjoyed having the mixture of in-house and world feed commentaries at this World Cup. It's been good to hear some of the MOTD lower order regulars on a major tournament, as well as wallow in a bit of nostalgia by hearing John Helm on a World Cup again! (I'm quite old, you see.)
*Edit: And that doesn't include Archie McPherson's online-only commentary on England v Uruguay for STV.
They've got things wrong before so I wouldn't take as 100% certain but that's what they are saying.
I suspect Mon 5pm was pick 8.
This is what Arius has said on the World Cup thread - so clearly the BBC had no choice with Monday 5pm.
Arius said Netherlands V Mexico was 2nd choice and Argentina V Switzerland was 3rd choice - I'm surprised at both, particularly the Argentina game. Seems a bit strange that the first three picks were all 5pm games as I'd have thought 9pm would generally be stronger for ratings.
Kevin Kilbane commentating on Brazil V Chile for 5 Live tomorrow so no TV work for him then. I wonder if he'll get a live TV game or if it will be 2 for Lawrenson and 1 each for Murphy and Keown.
As for commentators we know Wilson is doing USA V Belgium live. I'd guess Mowbray at Brazil V Chile, Brotherton on France V Nigeria and Pearce on Argentina V Switzerland.
Comments
Brazil vs. Chile - Ian Darke and Steve McManaman (ABC)
Uruguay vs. Colombia - Jon Champion and Stewart Robson (ABC)
Netherlands vs. Mexico - Fernando Palomo and Alejandro Moreno (ESPN)
Costa Rica vs. Greece - Daniel Mann and Kasey Keller
France vs. Nigeria - Derek Rae and Efan Ekoku (ESPN)
Germany vs. Algeria - Jon Champion and Stewart Robson (ESPN)
Argentina vs. Switzerland - Adrian Healey and Alejandro Moreno (ESPN)
USA vs. Belgium - Ian Darke and Taylor Twellman (ESPN)
They might have 3 teams out in Brazil but Speight and Dixon are based in Brazil and their commentary's so far have been offtube. If they are going to be onsite for the knockout round then there was no reason why they couldn't have for the group stages.
Outstanding
The worst thing is that when Speight and Dixon are doing the games off-tube, they're actually watching episodes of Midsomer Murders on ITV3.
And they're not even new episodes. They're repeats.
Having listened to some of Speight commentate in the past i could quite well believe that.
All I know from following Steve Wilson on Twitter is that he'll be doing Belgium v USA for BBC (and Greece v Costa Rica for BBC highlights).
I assume on the ITV side Clive 'n' Andy will be doing the Uruguay game
He will. And the Germany game.
2 good games again for Jon Champion, has he been a hit with the American viewers?
Also is Steve Mcmanaman in line for the final provided USA don't create a massive shock by getting there?
Holland V Mexico - Adrian Chiles presenting with Hoddle, Cannavaro and O'Neill - Matterface and Carlisle commentating.
Costa Rica V Greece - Matt Smith presenting with Hoddle, Strachan and Wright - Speight and Dixon commentating.
Germany V Algeria - Adrian Chiles presenting with Hoddle, Strachan and Dixon - Tyldesley and Townsend commentating.
All from ITV press centre. Bit surprised it's Hoddle that gets used three times. I'm glad Martin O'Neill is doing the 5pm game - I think ITV's best coverage has been for that slot so a shame they don't have a few more of them. Interesting that Cannavaro is only being used once - suggests they've not been that impressed with him either. I think the Germany V Algeria line-up is their strongest in terms of not having either Wright or Cannavaro in it, though O'Neill is my favourite of their pundits. If they mainly focus on Hoddle, Dixon, Strachan and O'Neill I think they'll have the edge on the BBC and if it's Hoddle, Dixon and O'Neill for the final I reckon I'll watch ITV's coverage instead of the BBC's.
Yes I do agree with you here, surely all games from now on will be on site?
ITV really haven't done bad on picks so far and must admit very surprised they got 2nd 3rd and 4th picks here and still get the Germany game.
Am I right in saying they will also get first pick in the quarter final but BBC get ist choice in Semi?
Surely there is no excuse for not being there on site? these games have been announced well in advance so plenty of time to make any necessary arrangements.
Cant believe its even a possibility for such a massive tournament at such a important stage.
Watching ITV's coverage of the final Group H games last night, I noticed that for their highlights of the Group G finale, while John Helm's world feed commentary was used for Portugal v Ghana, Joe Speight did the USA v Germany game. Yet when checking for the three minute edit on ITV.com of that match just now, I notice they've used Gary Bloom's world feed commentary instead. ITV.com have also taken the world feed for their brief edits of all of the ITV4 live games bar Bosnia and Herzegovina v Iran for some reason.
So, seeing as the ITV.com edits don't always match up against what went out on television, I was wondering if anyone knew how many commentaries ITV have done in-house for games they did not show live during the group stage. I believe Joe Speight has commentated on highlights of England v Italy, Brazil v Mexico and USA v Germany - is that all or are there any further games I have missed out? Thanks in advance.
ITV also have the Colombia v Uruguay match live which is being held in Rio which again helps them out given that is where they're based and gives them more flexibility. Also the fact that Dixon has got good reviews so far as a co-comm and Townsend always being poor ( i noticed an article in The Daily Telegraph yesterday taking the piss out of him) then surely they could swap the pairing around, which might give them even more flexibility.
ITV clearly are fans of Dixon (as you'd expect) but also Hoddle - both involved in 3 of the 4 games ITV have in some way.
Nice to see ITV have either Straachan or O'Neill as pundits in every game too - both are always good value.
Germany v Algeria certainly the strongest line-up in terms of pundits for me but I'm glad to see Speight & Dixon commentate again (though hopefully it's on-site - I'd hope so at least since Dixon does probably have 24 hours to get from Rio to Recife which from quick research is about 3 hours and do-able you'd think).
As I say off-tube isn't that huge an issue for me - especially since the Speight & Dixon offtube stuff has been very good and hasn't reduced the quality of their commentary (and I feel the BBC Euro 2012 broadcasting from Salford was probably just as bad and ruined the tournament feel there more than a few off-tube commentaries have this time for ITV ).
But ideally it'd be onsite but we'll have to wait and see I guess.
I do think if ITV had been sensible they could have done it so Dixon commentated on the Saturday game (with it in Rio so no travel involved), doing punditry on the early Sunday game then commentating again on the Monday game in Porto Alegre (not too far from Rio and certainly do-able). It may have meant Clive 'n' Andy being separated for one round - but I doubt many would've complained.
Think that was a pretty good guess if I do say so myself.
Those are the only three that differ, although the Russia v South Korea highlights went out on TV with a Matt Smith voiceover rather than the Kevin Keatings world feed commentary; I think they've done this with one or two other games as well.
All eight world feed commentators have appeared on ITV's television coverage at some stage of this World Cup - meaning that the coverage has used 13 commentators: A record that will surely never be beaten.*
The BBC have used five of the world feeders on highlights/online coverage: Woods, Fisher, Roder, O'Hagan and Keatings. So they've used 10 in total.
I've really enjoyed having the mixture of in-house and world feed commentaries at this World Cup. It's been good to hear some of the MOTD lower order regulars on a major tournament, as well as wallow in a bit of nostalgia by hearing John Helm on a World Cup again! (I'm quite old, you see.)
*Edit: And that doesn't include Archie McPherson's online-only commentary on England v Uruguay for STV.
I have also enjoyed hearing the international feed on the BBC and ITV coverage. It's a nice difference from the norm of all/almost all of the commentaries used being done in-house and the international feed commentaries I've heard bits of have been of a high standard. It's been particularly nice to hear Gary Bloom back on mainstream football coverage for the first time in around ten years.
He's been a sensation with Americans. It also helps that he's gotten the lion's share of some of the best games from group stage.
And yes, as long as the US don't make the final it'll be Darke/Macca.
Last World Cup it was just Tyler and Darke on the quarterfinals onward, so it'll probably be Darke and Champion for this year.
In particular on Monday - everyone plays their 4th round match on Monday so you would have thought they would want Murray 3rd on Centre Court for the usual over-run into BBC1 early evening.
As it is, presumably Murray will now be 1st on court at 1pm.
BBC had picks 1, 3, 6, 8
ITV had picks 2, 4, 5, 7
They've got things wrong before so I wouldn't take as 100% certain but that's what they are saying.
I suspect Mon 5pm was pick 8.
http://sport-onthebox.com/2014/06/26/world-cup-2014-bbc-itv-confirm-last-16-match-picks/
Cracking stuff http://sport.stv.tv/fifa-world-cup/highlights/3631902990001/
This is what Arius has said on the World Cup thread - so clearly the BBC had no choice with Monday 5pm.
Arius said Netherlands V Mexico was 2nd choice and Argentina V Switzerland was 3rd choice - I'm surprised at both, particularly the Argentina game. Seems a bit strange that the first three picks were all 5pm games as I'd have thought 9pm would generally be stronger for ratings.
As for commentators we know Wilson is doing USA V Belgium live. I'd guess Mowbray at Brazil V Chile, Brotherton on France V Nigeria and Pearce on Argentina V Switzerland.