I am sure most know once the latter stages of a tournament happen BBC only use 4 commentators. It used to be Everton, Virgo, Taylor and Thorne but now its Taylor, Virgo, Hendry and Doherty. BBC have brought in new younger talent who were also world champions in Doherty and Hendry and I think its just the case of someone more successful coming in and taking the place of a old BBC commentator like Everton in 2009 and now Thorne this year. I think if Ronnie O'Sullivan wanted to commentate then Virgo would probably be the next to be demoted as of the top 4 only Virgo hasn't been a World Champion. I think the fact Willie Thorne also works for Sky is a reason for his demotion as he was easier to replace than the other 3

I think the order is for BBC Snooker Commentary is this;
Taylor, Virgo
Hendry, Doherty
Thorne, Parrott, Davis
Foulds, Griffiths

Willie didnt do the Masters this year either, he was usurped for Stephen Hendry, hence Willie is below Hendry, Davis, Doherty and Parrott on my list. Somebody was always going to get relegated I guess, looks like its Willie.

No they only use 4 commentators on the short tournaments. At the worlds they use Parrott and Davis too.

Hendry has transferred well to be a pundit & commentator.

It's nice to get ex-pros in who know their stuff but they also have to be good at the job. Not sure I can see Ronnie being a full time commentator.

I like it when they have a journalist/reporter/commentator plus an ex-pro. You then get opinions from different views.

The big boxing from the weekend...

Amir Khan v Carlos Molina (Sky Sports)
Presenter: Gary Newbon with Glenn McCrory and Jamie Moore in the studio, with Adam Smith and Johnny Nelson in LA
Commentators: Nick Halling and Jim Watt
Reporter (Showtime): Jim Gray

Amir Khan v Carlos Molina (Showtime)
Presenter: Brian Kenny
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi with Steve Farhood and Joe Cortez
Reporter: Jim Gray

Friday 21st December - BBC Two Wales and BBCi

Scrum V Live: Cardiff Blues v Scarlets

Gareth Roberts presenting from the Cardiff Arms Park alongside Nigel Davies and Martyn Williams, with Sean Holley in the analysis truck

Commentators: Gareth Charles and Jonathan Davies

Red button commentators: Rick O'Shea, Rob Appleyard and Paul Williams with the RedZone; Gareth Rhys Owen and Dafydd Jones in Welsh

Reporter: Phil Steele

Gareth Roberts is the presenter of Y Clwb Rgybi on S4C, I don't think I've ever seen him on BBC Wales (or indeed heard him broadcasting in English) before.

Ulster Rugby Live - BBC Two NI

Presenter: Stephen Watson
With: Maurice Field & Tony McWhirter
Commentators: Jim Neilly & Bryn Cunningham
Reporter: Thomas Niblock

Pro 12 Live - RTE Two HD

Presenter: Daire O'Brien
With: Brent Pope & Shane Horgan
Commentators:
Jim Neilly & Bryn Cunningham (first 15 minutes
George Hamilton & Tony Ward (rest of match)

RTE presented from their studios in Dublin but took commentary from BBC NI for the first 15 minutes as George Hamilton and Tony Ward were caught up by a Union Flag Street Protest on their way to Ravenhill

As he was signing off tonight Gareth wished regular Scrum V host Ross Harries a speedy recovery, adding that they hope Ross will be back in the presenters chair for BBC Two Wales' live Boxing Day game Cardiff Blues v Newport Gwent Dragons (S4C will be showing Ospreys v Scarlets). Ross had voiced the montage at the top of the show so I guess he must have fallen ill late in the day and thus Gareth was a last minute call, although they didn't expand on why Ross wasn't there unless I missed it.

I wish Ross all the best but I wonder who they'll use on Boxing Day if he's not recovered in time, seeing as Gareth will be hosting S4C's live game. Perhaps a one-off return for Gareth Lewis, Eddie Butler or Graham Thomas?

Scrum V played in a few of the tries from the Ulster v Leinster match from BBC Two Northern Ireland's coverage during breaks in play at the Arms Park, which is something I can't remember them doing for quite a few years now. Also, Rick confirmed in commentary that they'll be no RedZone on the Boxing Day game as is usually the case. Not sure if they'll be doing a Welsh commentary for that one, but LOSG at least will be pleased to know that this should mean the main feed is available on the Red Button presuming BBCi carry the Blues v Dragons game. Rick and Tom Shanklin (who was interviewed by Steele P while wearing a light-up Christmas jumper tonight!) will be back for Ulster v Scarlets on Friday 4th January.

If only that would have been the case tonight, I'd warmed to the Red Zone a bit this season but tonight was shocking. I think that might have been down to it being a Blues game though (made doubly worse as I follow the Scarlets.)

It didn't help that it was a dreadful game, one of the worst rugby matches I've sat through all season. At least Rick and co could talk about wider rugby stories during the game, the commentary teams charged with solely talking about the action in front of them will have really struggled on that one...

Captured by a tweeter for your enjoyment.

2013 World Darts Championships - Sky Sports HD

Dave Clark presents with Rod Harrington, Wayne Mardle & Eric Bristow

Commentators : John Gwynne, Rod Studd, Nigel Pearson, Stuart Pyke, Rod Harrington & Wayne Mardle

Bristow has commentated this year, namely Chisnall v Gurney and David Croft commentated on 2 matches but I think he was just a guest at the Darts and Sky asked him to go in for a few matches. Shame that the best Darts commentator in my opinion hasn't got a regular gig on Sky but that is because of F1

Well there is a few events Croft could do... World Championships obviously, along with probably every alternate week of the premier league. Also there is the 'FA Cup of Darts' which is around the F1 Summer break (I think)

i hope they do use him more his great at darts...

and we haven't had the celebrity guest commentator yet this year

I would love to see Crofty in more, I think hes better at Darts than F1 but he is brilliant anyway. I do think he was at Ally Pally and Sky used him because he has only appeared on 2 matches, both on friday. They could use him on Premier League and World Championships if nothing else and is defiently a worthy replacement for the great Sid Waddell


Andrew Flintoff or Stephen Fry will probably appear before the end of the tourament or maybe Eric Bristow was the celeb commentator this year after his stint in the jungle (Mind you Bristow kept annoying me in commentary as he had constant digs at the BDO saying it wasn't proper darts)

UK Open is generally around the end of May

Brissy is often in the commentary box, although he seems to do the more unattractive games.

He doesn't mince his words either. I think several of the players have gone off their idol with his comments about them.

I agree that Bristow doesn't mince his words and he does a few earlier games then stays in the studio for the rest of the tournament. I can also see why people would be annoyed by him

I hate the constant hatred which mainly comes from the PDC to the BDO, yes they both do it but it seems to be worse from the PDC and especially from some of Sky commentary team. Without the BDO there would be no PDC and there isn't that much difference between both codes except the better players at the very top of the PDC

India vs England: T20 Series

Presenter: Ian Ward (also commentating)

Commentators: Nasser Hussain, Nick Knight, David Lloyd and Marcus Trescothick

or if you preferred the Indian board's propaganda (semi-joke)...

BCCI Commentators: Harsha Bhogle, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly and Paul Collingwood

Tbf I understand it and don't mind it as much when it comes from the likes of Bristow or Rod Harrington as they were the ones directly affected by the split. Rod Harrington talked about it the other night and how victimised/threatened he was at times because he was the players representative in court against the BDO. Those deep rooted feelings will never leave most of those players involved.

Boxing Day - BBC Two Wales and BBCi

Scrum V Live: Cardiff Blues v Newport Gwent Dragons

Ross Harries presented from the Cardiff Arms Park alongside Kingsley Jones and Tom Shanklin, with Sean Holley in the analysis truck

Commentators: Gareth Charles and Jonathan Davies

Reporter: Phil Steele

Coverage was not on Freeview's Red Button channel with Final Score taking precedence. Over on Channel 4's coverage of the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park, Derek Thompson mentioned that today's Winter Festival meeting would be his final appearance on Channel 4 Racing.

Tuesday 1 January- Channel 4 Racing

Clare Balding and Nick Luck present live coverage. With commentary and analysis by Simon Holt, Richard Hoiles, Jim McGrath, Graham Cunningham, Mick Fitzgerald and Tanya Stevenson.

Friday 4 January on BBC 2 Regions- Ulster v Scarlets

Scrum V Live: Presented by Ross Harries, with commentary by Gareth Charles and Stuart Davies, and analysis by Phil Steele, Jonathan Davies and Robert Jones.

Ulster Rugby Live: Presented by Stephen Watson, with commentary by Jim Neilly and Ryan Constable.

Saturday 5 January- Channel 4 Racing

Hosted by Nick Luck. With commentary and analysis by Richard Hoiles, Jim McGrath, Graham Cunningham and Tanya Stevenson, plus reports from Rishi Persad and Alice Plunkett.

BDO World Darts Championship on the BBC

Hosted by Colin Murray, Bobby George and Rob Walker. Commentary by Tony Green, Vassos Alexander and Jim Proudfoot.

PDC World Darts Championship 2013- Thursday 27th December 2012- Sky Sports 1HD

Commentators

Newton vs. Walsh : John Gwynne & Rod Studd
Whitlock vs. Chisnall : Stuart Pyke & Eric Bristow (Rod Harrington took over from Bristow during the match)
Wade vs. van der Voort : John Gwynne & Nigel Pearson
van Gerwen vs. Lloyd : Rod Studd & Stuart Pyke