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Sports Commentators (non-football) (Part 2)


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Old 18-07-2015, 15:23
The Difference
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I really don't rate Vasgersian at all, so I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. Thorne is a terrific broadcaster after making my peace with the presence of Rick Sutcliffe, I've been very happy to watch the international feed of the postseason when it's been available.
I'm afraid it looks like it will be, Li4m. I highlighted the significant changes to the MLB International coverage of the All-Star Game on a US sports coverage forum I post on, where I was kindly referred to this article: http://sportsvideo.org/main/blog/201...ophy-in-cincy/

It notes how that under the new Rob Manfred regime, Major League Baseball's various in-house media ventures - MLB International, the MLB Network and their MLB Advanced Media online services - have been centralised as part of a "One Baseball" mentality. Hence why the world feed All-Star Game coverage looked and sounded just like any MLB Network production of a regular season or postseason game would, and indeed you won't be surprised to hear that the MLB Network used the MLB International coverage (rather than that of Fox) when they showed the All-Star Game as-live after the event. Knowing this, it's difficult to imagine MLB International going back to non-MLB Network regulars as announcers, the old scorebug in the bottom right corner than the usual MLB Network one in the top left of the screen and the classic theme that for so many years signalled All-Star and World Series baseball.

I wasn't that familiar with Matt Vasgersian or indeed John Smoltz as a broadcaster, not having had much access to MLB Network, TBS or Fox's national MLB coverage in the past (I've mostly watched ESPN, MLB International and regional sports network coverage through Channel 5, BT Sport and MLB.com in the past), but I have to admit I was distinctly underwhelmed by both of them on Tuesday night. To be fair, my feelings were at least partly tinged with the disappointment of not hearing so many of the familiarities I've grown up with as a baseball fan - particularly Gary Thorne, one of my favourite broadcasters in any sport with such a great voice and style. It seems such a shame that after all these years of commentating on World Series and Stanley Cups, he now looks destined to be limited to regular season Baltimore Orioles games on MASN and perhaps a League Division Series for ESPN Radio. I've also always liked Rick Sutcliffe - as perhaps more of a casual fan than you, I found his easy manner and simple explanations welcome and comfortable to listen to. Given his ESPN Wednesday Night Baseball commitments, perhaps Sutcliffe could join Dan Shulman to co-commentate on an LCS and the World Series for ESPN Radio, although I suspect Aaron 'Prolly' Boone will retain that gig. I think Vasgersian and Smoltz look a shoe-ins to be the MLB International commentary team from now on - they do an LDS across Fox Sports and the MLB Network and are the #2 commentary pairing for the former and regulars on the latter during the regular season. I can't see Bob Costas and Jim Kaat, the other regular live game broadcasters for the MLB Network, committing to two whole series for international audiences, so Matt and John look the obvious choices for this gig.
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Old 18-07-2015, 16:16
Li4m
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Thanks for sharing that article. I guess it makes sense from MLB's perspective to merge as much as possible; there's really no need for them to produce separate feeds for MLB Network and MLB International. Still a bit of a shame though.

Vasgersian does very well out of baseball broadcasting despite not being the number one for any network. He covers games fairly regularly for both Fox and MLB Network, is a presenter on MLB Network, and now has this extra international exposure. He's also the play-by-play guy on MLB: The Show.

He also annoyed me on the Futures Game the other day by continually referring to players as "property of [team]".
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Old 18-07-2015, 23:06
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Is that Vassos Alexander commentating on the boxing for ITV?
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Old 18-07-2015, 23:11
mattw
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Is that Vassos Alexander commentating on the boxing for ITV?
No it was Dave Farrah (who's done a lot for Eurosport in the past). Get the similarity though.
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Old 19-07-2015, 13:11
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Saturday 18th July - ITV & ITV4

Premier Boxing Champions: IBF World Super Bantamweight Championship: Carl Frampton v Alejandro Gonzalez Jr (ITV) & Chris Arreola v Fred Kassi (ITV4)

Mark Pougatch presented from the studio alongside David Haye and Duke McKenzie

Commentators: Dave Farrar and Richie Woodhall

Reporters: Brent Stover (as CBS) and Gabriel Clarke

Brian Custer, Paulie Malignaggi and Virgil Hunter were the commentary team for US host broadcaster CBS - we briefly saw them in-vision on ITV before the start of the main event.

There was no on-site presentation for CBS as there usually is on most US Premier Boxing Champions telecasts, the four CBS broadcasters mentioned above was the extent of their on-air team.

ITV4's coverage of the earlier Arreola v Kassi fight had a bit of an unfortunate ending - it was introduced by the main studio crew, but the bout ended and went to a decision at about 9.55pm. With a film due to start at 10pm, Farrar and Woodhall basically signed off before the decision was announced, advising viewers to switch to ITV for the result. Over on ITV, whose coverage of the Frampton fight started at 9.45pm, while they didn't show any further footage from the ring prior to the main event, Pougatch did briefly announce the result of the earlier bout.
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Old 19-07-2015, 14:37
Tony Yeboah
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John Gwynne has returned to Sky's darts coverage
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Old 19-07-2015, 20:21
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Saturday 4th to Sunday 26th July - ITV4

Tour de France 2015

Gary Imlach presenting live coverage and highlights alongside Chris Boardman with David Millar

Commentators: Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen with Jens Voigt

Reporters: Ned Boulting and Matt Rendell

There's been a significant change to the long-standing set-up of the world feed commentary ITV4 take on their Tour de France coverage. Phil and Paul have been joined this year by recently-retired race veteran Jens Voigt, who has been contributing to the commentary on most/all stages. Punditry-wise, David Millar joined Gary and Chris during the first weekend and is contributing to their rest day highlights shows but is not a regular fixture in their team.
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Old 21-07-2015, 12:19
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Some criticism of the BCCI commentators http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine...ry/901103.html
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Old 21-07-2015, 23:20
walaboobah
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No it was Dave Farrah (who's done a lot for Eurosport in the past). Get the similarity though.
Cheers
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Old 22-07-2015, 17:27
IanFergus
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NBC's Tour de France tram includes Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwin and Jens Voigt as commentators, Steve Schlanger as reporter, Steve Purino as analyst and Todd Harris (host), Bob Roll and Christian Vandeverde in the travelling studio.
Carlton Kirby and Sean Kelly are commentating on British Eurosport.
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Old 23-07-2015, 12:11
Tony Yeboah
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Gary Bloom will be at the Water Polo for the FINA World Championship.
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Old 25-07-2015, 16:00
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The Rugby Championship - Saturday 25 July (Sky Sports 1)
Round 2 - South Africa v New Zealand
James Gemmell in the studio with Thinus Delport and Sean Fitzpatrick.
Commentators: Matthew Pearce, Bob Skinstad & Owen Nkumane (as Supersport SA)
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Old 27-07-2015, 16:13
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The Rugby Championship - Saturday 25 July (Sky Sports 3)
Round 2 - Argentina v Australia
Rupert Cox in the studio with Michael Lynagh (and ???).
Commentators: Greg Clark, Phil Kearns & Rod Kafer (as Fox Sports Aus)

Only going off a YouTube replay for this one, but the comms are correct as per the graphics.
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Old 27-07-2015, 19:34
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John Gwynne has returned to Sky's darts coverage
Interesting, did he cover many matches or just filling in for illness or something?
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Old 28-07-2015, 09:19
Tony Yeboah
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Interesting, did he cover many matches or just filling in for illness or something?
I think he was just a guest on the Sunday when they had two sessions. David Croft popped up on the afternoon as well.
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Old 28-07-2015, 17:59
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Conor McNamara interview http://www.independent.ie/entertainm...-31402099.html
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Old 28-07-2015, 19:15
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I think he was just a guest on the Sunday when they had two sessions. David Croft popped up on the afternoon as well.
Thanks, shame I missed it
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Old 29-07-2015, 19:41
Tony Yeboah
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Michael Slater is Channel 5's guest Aussie commentator for the third test.
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Old 29-07-2015, 19:43
The Difference
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Sunday 26th July - Sky Sports 1

PDC World Matchplay Final 2015: Michael van Gerwen v James Wade

Dave Clark presented from the Winter Gardens, Blackpool alongside Wayne Mardle and Eric Bristow

Commentators: Rod Studd (whole match), John Part (legs 1-15) and Wayne Mardle (leg 16 onwards)

Studd also doubled up as their post-match interviewer on the stage.
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Old 29-07-2015, 20:41
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Michael Slater is Channel 5's guest Aussie commentator for the third test.
They are rotating the channel nine commentators that have been sent over. We had Mark Taylor in the 1st and Brett Lee in the 2nd: from the cricket on 5 twitter feed it seems Michael Slater is doing the 3rd and 4th. I suspect that means it will be Ian Healy for the final test at the Oval.
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Old 30-07-2015, 13:14
Tony Yeboah
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Bikes! on BBC One NI- Ulster Grand Prix highlights. Stephen Watson presents, with analysis from Phillip McCallen. Commentary by Dave Moore and Adrian Coates.
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Old 02-08-2015, 16:21
Darren Lethem
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Just popped the swimming on on the red button. Expected it to be Andy Jameson and Adrian Moorhouse commentating but it was John Hunt. Never knew he did swimming too.
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Old 02-08-2015, 16:35
shaun_d
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Just popped the swimming on on the red button. Expected it to be Andy Jameson and Adrian Moorhouse commentating but it was John Hunt. Never knew he did swimming too.
John Hunt has been 5 Live's swimming commentator for the last couple of years.
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Old 02-08-2015, 16:47
Darren Lethem
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John Hunt has been 5 Live's swimming commentator for the last couple of years.
What happened to Bob Bollard doing it ? He is excellent on the diving. We are big fans of his double act with Leon in our house.
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Old 02-08-2015, 17:13
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What happened to Bob Bollard doing it ? He is excellent on the diving. We are big fans of his double act with Leon in our house.
He was 'dropped' from the role after London 2012. Here's his blog from the time

http://www.bobballard.net/swimming_reflections
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