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BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ESPN/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

250K views 4K replies 617 participants last post by  allpro 
#1 ·
:D There are many threads moaning about the coverage on various channels. Lets keep one thread and post in this when we are annoyed!

Ok to start off, eurosport and bbci are going to show henman against a claycourt clown :mad: when nalbandian and gasquet will be gone :( and the atmosphere seems great in the arena too!
 
#400 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Does anyone know what is the first match tonight on eurosport?
 
#403 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Does anyone know what is the first match tonight on eurosport?
I'd be pretty sure it will be Williams vs. Petrova.
There are limited commentators on Eurosport, the women should be left at entrance discuss the matches instead of international TV (bar Sam Smith, who is actually quite a good commentator, and by far the only quality female commentator doing their job on UK/European broadcasts). Jo is atrocious and just as irritating as anyone could get, she knows nothing about tennis and has the worst sense of humour I have ever seen. Sabine Appleman is also very poor.


Peter Flemming is an excellent commentator, who should be doing the commentary for the matches and not the post match analysis; leave that to Jason (who is the best in the business). Frew McMillian takes commentary to a whole new level, and is by far the best in the business. He manages to make a match more interesting, is that even possible?


Simon Reed and David Mercer can be ok when being supervised by Frew, but if either is paired with Jo, they are just like the chuckle brothers. Does anyone remember the name of the Eurosport commentator who used to commentate on the French Open Rendezvous, about two years ago? I can’t remember his name, but I have seen him and heard him in various press conferences and I remember his voice from Eurosport. Quite a good commentator and has a nice voice to listen to.


PS Sorry to make such a long response :sad: but I haven't noticed any discussion on commentators, and I think its an overlooked factor in enjoying tennis.
I haven't seen Sam Smith in a while, does she still look like Tim Henman?

I agree about Flemming, I think he's great. Really dry sense of humour. Frew is ok, I find him a bit of a pain at times. Especially when he continually feels the need to tell us how many "strokes" there were in the rally. I hope for his sake he has a piece of technology which tells him the info, rather than at the start of every rally he counts how many times the ball has been hit :lol:

Personally, I still find Petchey the most entertaining commentator to listen to. Although he wasn't a great player, I usually agree with most of the stuff he says and he's a very funny guy. And very nice, I had the pleasure of meeting him. And Bazza Cowan is good for a laugh too (I know neither are on Eurosport but it is on topic ;) )

I know who you mean, the really geeky looking guy. The name has totally gone though, Sjengster will remember.
 
#402 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

I would almost entirely agree with that analysis, except that the Chuckle Brothers are far funnier and more entertaining. Chris Bowers is the one who used to be the highlights commentator for both the AO and RG, it was such a good wrap-up show featuring match excerpts, interviews and behind-the-scenes stories. I don't like the way Eurosport keeps fiddling around with the way they introduce their coverage, they used to have studios with presenters/guests, then they decided just to show the tennis, now they're coming back to it again.
 
#405 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Timing is everything.

Frew is also very keen on tiebreak records and especially points in a row won on serve, that one is always mentioned. But the man has class and a stature conspicuously lacking in the other commentators, although I don't think you have to be a great player to be a good commentator. I remember two years ago here when Frew and Chris Bradnam were covering a Federer match, and the former noted Federer's affinity for places by the sea, Miami, Durban, Melbourne.... to which Chris then responded cheerfully, "Frinton?" "Yes...." Frew replied after a long pause, "with lights to provide the sun, presumably?"
 
#406 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Timing is everything.

Frew is also very keen on tiebreak records and especially points in a row won on serve, that one is always mentioned. But the man has class and a stature conspicuously lacking in the other commentators, although I don't think you have to be a great player to be a good commentator. I remember two years ago here when Frew and Chris Bradnam were covering a Federer match, and the former noted Federer's affinity for places by the sea, Miami, Durban, Melbourne.... to which Chris then responded cheerfully, "Frinton?" "Yes...." Frew replied after a long pause, "with lights to provide the sun, presumably?"
:lol: he does like his stats. The number of strokes in the rally is definitely his favourite though.

We need to get rid of the old crew. Threllfall is without doubt the worst, but Barrett and Mercer are not far behind. Barry Davies was an undisputed legend, sadly he didn't do that much. Barry Milns or whatever his name is happens to be a waste of space as well. In fact, I think I just don't like tennis commentators. I seem to much prefer the person who speaks less, the summariser if you will.
 
#411 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

I've found a new most annoying commentator on Eurosport - apparently his name is Nick Brown and he played for Britain in DC at some point (ie crap former player)

He commented on the Murray-Verdasco match alongside David Mercer.

He has the most awful voice control ever.

First, he doesn't enunciate all his words properly so they slide into each other.

If that weren't annoying enough, he also has no breath control so he often exhales as he's speaking and it's really audible and really gets on the nerves.

He has a slightly odd pronunciation of some words - most of his accent is fairly neutral of regional influence but then on some words a west-country twang comes across - over-emphasis of the 'r' on 'court' and a slightly lengthened 'a' in words like 'forehand' so it becomes 'forehayynd'

Add to that a slightly monotonous pitch and nothing interesting to say and I just want to turn the sound off. Or throw things at the TV.

Someone fire him immediately or send him for voice coaching - I don't expect cut glass BBC accents circa 1955 but it would be nice if he had some basic understanding of how to speak on mic.
 
#415 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

I've found a new most annoying commentator on Eurosport - apparently his name is Nick Brown and he played for Britain in DC at some point (ie crap former player)

He commented on the Murray-Verdasco match alongside David Mercer.

He has the most awful voice control ever.

First, he doesn't enunciate all his words properly so they slide into each other.

If that weren't annoying enough, he also has no breath control so he often exhales as he's speaking and it's really audible and really gets on the nerves.

He has a slightly odd pronunciation of some words - most of his accent is fairly neutral of regional influence but then on some words a west-country twang comes across - over-emphasis of the 'r' on 'court' and a slightly lengthened 'a' in words like 'forehand' so it becomes 'forehayynd'

Add to that a slightly monotonous pitch and nothing interesting to say and I just want to turn the sound off. Or throw things at the TV.

Someone fire him immediately or send him for voice coaching - I don't expect cut glass BBC accents circa 1955 but it would be nice if he had some basic understanding of how to speak on mic.
I mentioned him on the previous page, Jason Goodall sparkles with wit and enthusiasm beside him. So many of these current or former British players are completely lacking in any vocal talent, they drone on in the blandest voice talking about how someone is "doing better than what he was" and other such grammatical nightmares.
 
#420 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Well spotted, Sjengster.

It actually rather ruined my enjoyment of the match. Okay it was tough to enjoy anyway but listening to that man made it excrutiating - and all because he managed to beat Goran Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 1991 (apparently)

See and I thought Chris Bradnam got on my nerves with his..."oh that was a SUPER forehand... ABSOLUTELY AMAZING point...and doesn't she look a treat in that dress" over-excitements...
 
#425 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Well spotted, Sjengster.

It actually rather ruined my enjoyment of the match. Okay it was tough to enjoy anyway but listening to that man made it excrutiating - and all because he managed to beat Goran Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 1991 (apparently)

See and I thought Chris Bradnam got on my nerves with his..."oh that was a SUPER forehand... ABSOLUTELY AMAZING point...and doesn't she look a treat in that dress" over-excitements...
Bradnam is almost the Murray Walker of tennis commentating, over-excitable and prone to errors. It is even funnier when he suddenly becomes very serious about something but says it in the same enthused tones; e.g. in a Ferrero match at the 2004 AO, imbecile Norm Chryst gave Ferrero a time warning for taking about ten seconds too long after an injury timeout, and Bradnam declares, "Barmy, Mr. Chryst, BARMY! Get in the spirit of things, for heaven's sake!!"
 
#424 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Petch is brilliant because he just sits there and starts joking around if he's bored with the match, winding Bill Threllfall up. Fleming's great though I prefer him in the commentary box than in the studio - except sometimes on Sky's coverage of the TMS events. When he's in the studio with Bailey, I love the way Bailey asks him questions like "don't you agree that....<Something Bailey thinks is totally unobjectionable>" and Fleming comes back with "Well, no, I actually don't think that at all..." and a look of "what are you stupid?" on his face...genius.
 
#428 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Petch is brilliant because he just sits there and starts joking around if he's bored with the match, winding Bill Threllfall up. Fleming's great though I prefer him in the commentary box than in the studio - except sometimes on Sky's coverage of the TMS events. When he's in the studio with Bailey, I love the way Bailey asks him questions like "don't you agree that....<Something Bailey thinks is totally unobjectionable>" and Fleming comes back with "Well, no, I actually don't think that at all..." and a look of "what are you stupid?" on his face...genius.
I get the feeling that Fleming like his former doubles partner is a bit of a contrarian, determined not to agree with a suggestion that's put to him straight away - not that I'm criticising him for that, he always comes across as having his own distinct opinion. I recall back in 2003 Bailey making a big deal about the proposal to found the breakaway IMTA, saying it could potentially split men's tennis, and Fleming just said dismissively, "Nah, that's not gonna happen. Who cares?", and he was right in the end.
 
#435 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Exclusive interviews by Courier for the aussies? Oh dear...

I mean - am i really that desperate to hear the sound of a man with his tongue up Federer's ass (to paraphrase Tommy Haas)?

I don't think so.
 
#441 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Exclusive interviews by Courier for the aussies? Oh dear...

I mean - am i really that desperate to hear the sound of a man with his tongue up Federer's ass (to paraphrase Tommy Haas)?

I don't think so.
Courier can be ok when he is not trying to act the ass sniffer or jester. I remember being in a press conference with him last year (following one of his matches), and he was very wise and good with his responses. When Sue barker interviewed him from tv, he looked a joker, and had nothing wise to say. But he was one to discuss, rather than respond with a few sentences (during the conference). Quite a thoughtful guy, unlike most players in their conferences. I did enjoy hearing him speak, I have not heard him as a commentator; but I believe he could be good?
 
#437 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Sam Smith is okay - she is quite knowledgeable and interesting but her voice is unfortunately just a bit nasal and it grates a bit.

Jo - I quite like Jo at times but it depends who she's paired with, as has already been said - it can be torturous with Bradnam when they're in a silly mood, they spend half the match making each other laugh and joking about Jo wanted to do rude things with James Blake.
 
#442 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Sam Smith is okay - she is quite knowledgeable and interesting but her voice is unfortunately just a bit nasal and it grates a bit.

Jo - I quite like Jo at times but it depends who she's paired with, as has already been said - it can be torturous with Bradnam when they're in a silly mood, they spend half the match making each other laugh and joking about Jo wanted to do rude things with James Blake.
:haha: that was cringeworthy last night....the jokes about the raffle tickets to have dinner with Blake. About as funny as staying up till 5am to watch the quite pitiful Murray-Verdasco match :eek:
 
#438 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

I wish I could hear this apparent sparring going on between Courier and John Alexander, though. The latter does seem a bit of an idiot from some of the DVDs I've got of past AO matches, and I gather he once tipped Samantha Stosur to win Wimbledon just before the tournament began? Hmm....
 
#443 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Yeah Courier probably would be good as a commentator - haven't heard him. Some of the Americans were saying Andre did a bit of guest commentary for ESPN the other day and was amazingly good. Some of that may have been starry-eyedism but even so, I'd love to see Andre doing commentary.
 
#447 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Yeah Courier probably would be good as a commentator - haven't heard him. Some of the Americans were saying Andre did a bit of guest commentary for ESPN the other day and was amazingly good. Some of that may have been starry-eyedism but even so, I'd love to see Andre doing commentary.
Andrew would make the best commentator out of any modern day player. I would love to see him commentate, but I think it would only be for America.
 
#446 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

I like to see female commentators on men's matches - I think Jo's been pretty good when they've got to a men's match and she's been in the booth.

I like to see female umpires for men's matches at slams, which is happening more and more now.
 
#459 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

uh oh - Bradnam and Durie to start us off.
There could be so much good tennis, but without interactive = WASTED. I mean Gasquet - Monfils :eek: what a cracker that could be, but they will probably show a few games.


Still annoyed at BBCI Last night for cutting off interactive after the murray match, and making my recording 5 hours of bbc programmes :( Would have loved to see the Rochus match. But you can never trust euro to stay on a match (so I guess it was a bad gamble).
 
#463 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Does anyone who when Eurosport stops flitting between matches like a butterfly and just shows full matches regardless of the other courts? 4th Round, QF?
I guess when play only commences on two courts? When there is only two choices, they seem to just choose one. But until that time, you are just hit and miss and end up staying up for nothing, or missing your favourite player in an epic :(
 
#461 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Courier does an ok job as a Co-commentator. I think I heard him in a Roddick-Blake match last year.

Anyways, does British ES usually have two commentators? And how many are currently commentating the Aussie Open? I'd also be interested to hear about other countries.

For the Aussie Open 2007 ES Germany currently has 5 commentators.

1) Matthias Stach, the indisputable number 1 in Germany when it comes to Tennis. He's also doing interviews, so everyone in Europe should have seen his face already several times (last seen in the WTA Stuttgart tourney).

Likes to talk about the man who invented the TB. :D

2) Karsten Linke, doesn't seem as knowledgeable as Stach, but has a nice sense of humour (very dry humour). I liked they way he talked when Nadal was swallowing his banana at the FO 2006. :D

3) Oliver Faßnacht, back working as ES Tennis commentator since the end of 2005 and also knows what he's talking about. I like his voice. Not everyone always agrees with his opinion though.

4) Jürgen Höthker, more of a WTA Tennis specialist, if you ask me, but ok in my book.

5) Ralf Klinkenberg, I don't like his voice, and there are too many mistakes. He's the only one I really don't like to hear at all.

---

Then there's also Bettina Schneider, the only woman in the team, but she doesn't do any commentary at this years Aussie Open.


Oh, Stach, Höthker and Linke are in Melbourne, while Faßnacht and Klinkenberg stayed in Germany.

Yesterday there was quite an entertaining conversation between Höthker and Faßnacht regarding the Murray-Verdasco match. Later on Linke came into the commentators box, complaining about the heat. :)
 
#465 ·
Re: BBC/Eurosport/Sky Sports/ Etc - Coverage, Moan Thread!

Courier does an ok job as a Co-commentator. I think I heard him in a Roddick-Blake match last year.

Anyways, does British ES usually have two commentators? And how many are currently commentating the Aussie Open? I'd also be interested to hear about other countries.

For the Aussie Open 2007 ES Germany currently has 5 commentators.

1) Matthias Stach, the indisputable number 1 in Germany when it comes to Tennis. He's also doing interviews, so everyone in Europe should have seen his face already several times (last seen in the WTA Stuttgart tourney).

Likes to talk about the man who invented the TB. :D

2) Karsten Linke, doesn't seem as knowledgeable as Stach, but has a nice sense of humour (very dry humour). I liked they way he talked when Nadal was swallowing his banana at the FO 2006. :D

3) Oliver Faßnacht, back working as ES Tennis commentator since the end of 2005 and also knows what he's talking about. I like his voice. Not everyone always agrees with his opinion though.

4) Jürgen Höthker, more of a WTA Tennis specialist, if you ask me, but ok in my book.

5) Ralf Klinkenberg, I don't like his voice, and there are too many mistakes. He's the only one I really don't like to hear at all.

---

Then there's also Bettina Schneider, the only woman in the team, but she doesn't do any commentary at this years Aussie Open.


Oh, Stach, Höthker and Linke are in Melbourne, while Faßnacht and Klinkenberg stayed in Germany.

Yesterday there was quite an entertaining conversation between Höthker and Faßnacht regarding the Murray-Verdasco match. Later on Linke came into the commentators box, complaining about the heat. :)
About six, I'd say, counting Wilander - and no, never more than 2 people per match. Sometimes only 1 of course, which is a real nightmare. Actually, if I were left there on my own I'd be tempted to kick back, relax and let the tennis speak for itself; I've seen commentary-free tennis on interactive channels and it's more than enough entertainment on its own.

Sounds like I'd have had a better time with the German commentators for the Murray match than with the miserable pair I had here. Actually, I had two options, Eurosport and BBC, but they were both fairly miserable anyway. :p
 
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