Thanks for posting those details 4-4-2.

Going by what you've written, it appears that talkSPORT will be able to cross to West Ham v Manchester City for commentary should the game involving the leaders in the title race become one sided, which is clearly a good thing for all concerned.

Looking at it logically, I guess this means BBC Radio have opted for the current leaders in the race for first and fourth when picking their games - Chelsea v Wigan Athletic for Five Live and Burnley v Tottenham for Sports Extra.

And yeah, tomorrow's 4-7pm show will be billed as Football First Extra - Adrian said so on air the other day.



Just bringing something back up from last week - thanks again for the correction 4-4-2, although what I was thinking when I wrote that was that Nigel hasn't reported on sport for them since he's been asked to read their evening bulletins.

As a further note on this, Nigel Bidmead is not the only notable football commentator from other stations to start reading the 9pm-4am news and sports bulletins for talkSPORT.

Over the past week, I've heard Mark Scott (former Capital Gold Sports Saturday presenter) and Ian Beach (Today FM Premier League Live commentator) reading in-house bulletins at talkSPORT as well.

Ate 5Live not bothering with commentary of Birm/Burnley then?

No, just updates.

I'd rather listen to commentary than discussion but that's just
me!

Me too - particularly when that discussion is headed by Mark Pougatch (who I can't stand) with him smugly being positioned at the talkSPORT game for reasons I've not been able to fathom for the past three seasons. I wonder what they'll do in this area next season when talkSPORT will no longer have 3pm Saturday commentaries?

I know Blues v Burnley is a meaningless game now, but I still think Five Live should broadcast commentary on every Premier League game they are able to do - this match isn't even on (a currently off-air) Sports Extra today.

I'll be listening to commentary on the Blues game on BBC WM or BRMB instead.

Evening Le Diff, do you ever listen to these commentaries via the net?

What are the options?

Thanks

Yes but Blues vs Burnley is a nothing match so...

I do occasionally, although most local radio commentaries are unavailable online so it's only really the nationals you can listen to via the net.

The stations that are allowed to broadcast their Premier and Football League commentaries online are - talkSPORT, BBC Five Live, Five Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio London and, from next season, Absolute Radio.

However most BBC local radio stations (not WM unfortunately) are able to broadcast their FA Cup commentaries online, just not league games.

Stations are only allowed to broadcast commentaries on Premier League matches to the UK alone, with commentaries blocked to computers without UK ISPs.

However the listed stations are allowed to broadcast Football League fixtures (which include all commentaries from the League Cup) online throughout the world with no geoblocking restrictions.

I'm afraid I'm unsure what the situation is regarding UEFA competitions (European Championships, Champions League and Europa League) and the World Cup - I'm not sure if these commentaries are totally blocked, partially blocked or able to be streamed.

I think Five Live and talkSPORT weren't able to broadcast Champions League commentaries online in the past, but this might have changed.

Oddly, BBC Radio London and TS often don't bother geoblocking Prem commentaries.

In the past before I got my vpn I was often unable to listen to commentaries on the Beeb on Football League fixtures.

Euro Championships and W Cups have always been blocked to me, in English at least.

I do occasionally get up at 4 in the morning but the telly option would be all I could manage in that sleepy state.

We get a fair few "commentary analysis" type posts in the TV Football Commentators Thread, so I thought I would venture a message of this nature regarding Midlands radio on here.

Round here in the West Midlands, the local derbies between the Midlands club are treated as showpieces matches by our local stations with hours of coverage, and on BBC WM these matches are shared out between their top commentators, much like how in recent years Sky Sports have shared out the "blockbuster" meetings between members of the so-called "Top Four."

Well for those interested, what with the final derby involving Villa, Blues and Wolves having taken place last weekend, here is a breakdown as to how BBC WM have shared out their local derby commentaries this season:

Commentators:

Mark Regan - 3
Mike Taylor - 2 (both Birmingham v Wolves games)
Rob Gurney - 1 (Birmingham v Villa in August)

Summarisers:

Ron Atkinson - 3
Paul Franks - 3

The summariser stints on Midlands derbies were shared out equally between regular Saturday presenter and 3pm co-commentator Franksy and Big Ron, who is their only "star name" co-commentator, with Ron getting both Birmingham v Wolves games plus Birmingham v Villa.

Regular Saturday 3pm commentary team Rego and Franksy teamed up for both Villa v Wolves games and Villa v Blues last Sunday, and both were involved as presenters on Blues v Villa back in August. However, Daz Hale presented coverage of both Blues v Wolves matches.

As for the commentators, the 1,2,3 - Regan, Taylor and Gurney - pecking order is also reflected in how the big cup games involving Aston Villa have been shared out this season.

Mark Regan (alongside Ron Atkinson with Paul Franks presenting) commentated on both Villa v Manchester United in the League Cup Final and Villa v Chelsea in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley; while Mike Taylor was involved in both legs of the Villa v Blackburn League Cup Semi-Final - commentating on the second leg with Ron Atkinson, summarising alongside Rob Gurney on the first leg (on both evenings, Rego was hosting).

So no derbies for either Richard Wilford and Dan Wheeler (who have commentated on Midland derbies for WM in the past), although they should get a look in next season as the number of derbies jumps from 6 to 12 thanks to West Brom's promotion.



Over on the Orion Stations (BRMB, Beacon and Mercia), lead presenter and commentator Tom Ross did commentary on all of their Premier League and Championship derbies this season except for the first Coventry v West Brom game - commentary on that one came from Joe Holt.

Joe, who is very much Orion's number two commentator, also did the only other "showpiece" match Tom missed out on - he was alongside Pat Heard for Villa v Chelsea in the FA Cup Semi-Final, while Tom was watching West Brom clinch promotion at Doncaster alongside Tony Brown.

On the co-commentary front, all of their regular summarisers (Heard on Villa, Brown on WBA, Jon McCarthy on Blues, Robbie Dennison on Wolves and Dave Bennett on Coventry) were used as part of three man derby day commentary teams, the only exception being Birmingham v Wolves when Keith Downing had to step in for Robbie to provide a Wolves perspective.

Saturday 1st May


talkSPORT

Adrian Durham presenting Matchday Live, followed by Call Collymore with Stan Collymore at White Hart Lane

Premier League
Birmingham City v Burnley - Ian Danter
Manchester City v Aston Villa - Ian Abrahams and Bobby Gould
Portsmouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Andrew McKenna
Stoke City v Everton - Geoff Peters
Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Wanderers - Nigel Pearson and Stan Collymore (commentary), with Andy Clarke at pitchside

League One
Bristol Rovers v Norwich City - Tony Incenzo
Charlton Athletic v Leeds United - Dan Freeman
Tranmere Rovers v Millwall - Dave Rowe

League Two
Grimsby Town v Barnet - John Temple

Scottish Premier League
Falkirk v St Mirren - Mark Donaldson

Cricket: ICC World Twenty20
Afghanistan v India & Bangladesh v Pakistan - Jack Bannister

Rugby Union: Amlin Challenge Cup Semi Final
London Wasps v Cardiff Blues - Russell Hargreaves



BBC WM

WM Sport with Mike Taylor from St Andrew's (12-2.40pm) and Paul Franks from the City of Manchester Stadium (2.40-6pm)

Premier League
Birmingham City v Burnley - Richard Wilford and Mike Taylor (12.45pm commentary)
Manchester City v Aston Villa - Mark Regan and Paul Franks (3pm 95.6FM commentary), with Jane France interviewing the fans
Portsmouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Rob Gurney and Dan Wheeler (3pm DAB in Wolverhampton commentary)

League One
Carlisle United v Walsall - Andrew Dawkins

Northern League First Division South Play-Off Final
Chasetown v Glapwell - Richie Anderson (with Frank Carson sitting near him at the Scholars Ground! I kid you not!)



BRMB/Beacon 97.2FM (Black Country) and 103.1FM (Shropshire)

Tom Ross presenting The Goalzone from the City of Manchester Stadium

Premier League
Birmingham City v Burnley - Mikey Burrows and Jon McCarthy (12.45pm BRMB commentary)
Manchester City v Aston Villa - Tom Ross and Pat Heard (3pm BRMB commentary)
Portsmouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Bill Hatton and Robbie Dennison (3pm Beacon commentary)



Today FM (Ireland)

Michael McMullan presenting Premier League Live (alongside Mark Lawrenson between 2-3pm), being joined by Matt Holland (from the City of Manchester Stadium) for Live After Five

Premier League
Birmingham City v Burnley - Alan Tolley
Manchester City v Aston Villa - Ron Jones and Matt Holland (commentary)
Portsmouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Graham Miller
Stoke City v Everton - Gordon Cox
Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Wanderers - Ian Beach

I noticed that Today FM played a clip of BRMB's commentary with Tom Ross on James Milner's penalty in the Villa v Blues derby from last Sunday during their opener.

BBC Radio Scotland, 1/5/10

Sportsound presented by Richard Gordon, with Jim Traynor

SPL commentaries

All online (+frequency where applicable):

Hibernian v Hearts (12.30) - Paul Mitchell, Allan Preston and Craig Paterson (810MW)
Dundee Utd v Rangers - Rob MacLean and Derek Ferguson (810MW)
Falkirk v St Mirren - David Begg and Scott Booth (92-95FM in most areas)
Aberdeen v Hamilton Accies - Scott Davie and Jim Leighton (92-95FM in North East)
Celtic v Motherwell - John Barnes and Murdo MacLeod
Kilmarnock v St Johnstone - Alisdair Lamont and Jim Fleeting

Open all mics reporters on 103.5-105FM

Dundee Utd v Rangers - Jim Spence
Falkirk v St Mirren - Charlie Mann
Aberdeen v Hamilton Accies - Steve Cowan
Celtic v Motherwell - Pat Nevin
Kilmarnock v St Johnstone - Chick Young
Airdrie Utd v Dunfermline - Martin Dowden
Inverness CT v Dundee - John Robertson
Morton v Ayr Utd - David McDaid

BBC Bristol / Somerset

Geoff Twentymann hosting

Bristol Rovers V Norwich City - Ed Hadwin and Keith Brookman (94.9FM / 1566MW)
Yeovil Town V Oldham Athletic - Alistair Durden and Chris Spittles (95.5FM)
Chelmsford City V Bath City (Blue Square South SF 2nd Leg) - Andy Howard and Stuart Douglas (104.6FM / Online)
Bishops Sutton V Hallen (Les Phillips Cup Final) - Mike Kay
Cornish Pirates V Bristol (RFU Championship Playoffs) - Andy Champion and Mark Hoskins (1548MW / DAB / Online)

Yorkshire Radio
Charlton v Leeds Thom Kirwen and Eddie Gray (commentary)
Tranmere v Millwall Toby Gillies (of Radio City, Liverpool, reporting at half-time and full-time)
Rugby League: Leeds v Wakefield (at Murrayfield) Richard Stead and Gary Thornton (DAB commentary)


BBC London 94.9
Host Phil Parry at Tranmere
Tottenham v Bolton Jamie Hill and Rufus Brevett (on-line commentary)
Charlton v Leeds Emma Jones and Bradley Allen (DAB commentary)
Leyton Orient v Wycombe Dave Victor
Swindon v Brentford Billy Reeves
Tranmere v Millwall Phil Parry and Clive Walker (FM commentary)
Grimsby v Barnet Barry Swain


BBC Surrey
Aldershot v Lincoln Gavin Dennison and Steve Gibbs
Dover v Woking Adrian Harnes and Kevin Smith (with Gary Richardson of BBC Radio Four)
Boreham Wood v Kingstonian Phil Winyett
Chesham v Slough Gary James (I think)
Folkestone v Godalming Steve Baker


BBC Radio Kent
Charlton v Leeds Emma Jones and Bradley Allen (774AM commentary)
Gillingham v Southampton Matt Cole and Peter Lloyd (FM commentary)
Dover v Woking Peter Gees
Folkestone v Godalming Ben Crowcher


BBC Essex
Huddersfield v Colchester Ben Fryer (commentary)
Southend v Stockport Nick Aliker
Dagenham & Redbridge v Hereford Stuart Smith
Chelmsford v Bath City Mark Babbage
Concord Rangers v Enfield Town Will Hay

So they can broadcast commentary on two foreign teams in the Champions League, but they can't be bothered to do a match between two English teams at a time when they're not doing any other commentaries? That's unacceptable. I'll be writing to the BBC to complain.

BBC Radio Leeds (FM and DAB)
studio: Nick Hatton

Rugby league on AM until before 3 PM.

Huddersfield Town verses Colchester United (92.4, 95.3 and 102.7 FM)
commentator: Paul Ogdon
summariser: Kieran O'Regan

(103.9 FM, AM and DAB)
Charlton Athletic verses Leeds United
coverage: Adam Pope
Bradford City verses Northampton Town
reporter: Derm Tanner
Bradford Park Avenue verses Boston United
reporter: Jo Curry
Tranmere Rovers verses Millwall
reporter Jake Catbourg


The Pulse
Huddersfield Town verses Colchester United
commentator: Tim Thornton
summariser: Rob Edwards
Bradford City verses Northampton Town
reporter: Jason Thornton

It's actually Rick Kelsey reporting on Afghanistan v India, although I think Jack will be covering Bangladesh v Pakistan later.


That'll be Jake Katborg, who usually reports for Today FM.

Congratulations to Chasetown on their promotion today.

Kelsey's not a name I recognise but I assume this is him: http://rickkelsey.co.uk/Welcome.html

That'll be him - he's normally one of their newsreaders, he had been filling in for Robyn Schonhofer on weekday afternoons while she was off due to illness.

I guess they went with him as he's been doing the news this afternoon and they've only taken a few updates on the cricket at half-time and full-time in the football. Also, Jack did a long, late night shift yesterday covering two back to back games so might have wanted a bit of a rest.

By the way, I've just heard the very funny Jack Bannister scat singing trailer for the first time this summer.

Jeremy Davis doing updates of the Welsh Cup Final between Port Talbot Town and Bangor City for BBC Radio Wales, Dylan Ebenezer there for Radio Cymru.
Last edited by Ian Cleverly : 01-05-2010 at 17:50

Odd decision re the Blues v Burnley game, I would have thought it would have been on 5 Live rather than Sports Extra

BBC Radio Leicester

Martin Ballard presenting Sportstime live from the Walkers Stadium.

Championship
Leicester v Middlesbrough - Ian Stringer and John Sinclair, with Martin Ballard pitchside (commentary)

Clydesdale Bank 40
Warwickshire v Leicestershire - Andy Gibbs*

*Plus, there's live commentary via the BBC Radio Leicester website courtesy of BBC C&W.

If Chelsea win at Liverpool today and Man Utd lose at Sunderland the title race will be over and talkSPORT will be broadcasting an end of season friendly next week.

Radio 5 Live will be able to move the Tottenham match from Sports Extra but if Tottenham beat Man City on Wednesday the battle for fourth place will also be over before next Sunday.

It would have made much more sense for both stations to pick their matches on Wednesday night at 10pm.

Could talkSPORT opt for the West Ham v Man City match as main commentary if the title is decided today?

I was thinking along similar lines yesterday.

If Tottenham beat Manchester City on Wednesday, Spurs will secure fourth place with City and Aston Villa guaranteeing Europa League spots.

However, with Liverpool and Everton still battling it out for seventh spot and the final Europa League berth, it might make more sense for Five Live to opt for Hull v Liverpool and talkSPORT to go with Everton v Portsmouth as their secondary games.

Admittedly, this is now a remote possibility given the goal difference after Everton could only draw at Stoke yesterday.

Notwithstanding that though, I was wondering if Five Live and talkSPORT could pick their secondary game outside of the usual window? I know they usually have 10 days to declare their main game, but would this apply to their fallback match too?

Everton cannot finish 7th; they are 4 points behind with only one game to go.