TalkSPORT promise 'no adverts during live action' as they announce Sri Lanka commentary line-up

The broadcaster's acquisition of the live rights from Test Match Special has caused concern among some parts of the cricketing community, who are apprehensive about the commercial station's approach to ball-by-ball commentary

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TalkSPORT have the live rights to England's tours of Sri Lanka and West Indies

TalkSPORT pledged "no adverts during live action" as they announced their punditry line-up for England's tour of Sri Lanka this winter.

The broadcaster's acquisition of the live rights from Test Match Special has caused concern among some parts of the cricketing community, who are apprehensive about the commercial station's approach to ball-by-ball commentary.

In an effort to appease those worries, TalkSPORT addressed the issue directly in a statement, released on Tuesday, which details how the outlet intends to cover England's three Tests and six limited-overs matches on the subcontinent.

"No adverts will be broadcast during the live action and will only feature during natural breaks in play," the statement read.

Maybe we struggle with the concept of change... but why not give Talksport a chance?

TalkSPORT national radio controller Liam Fisher said: "Radio is a treasured medium in cricket and our role at talkSPORT will be to both entertain existing audiences and attract new ones to the game.

"Our first class on-air commentary team will be with fans for every ball of the day, with uninterrupted live play and a healthy serving of trademark talkSPORT fun."

Among the line-up of broadcast talent for the series will be Sky Sports regulars Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain and David Lloyd, as revealed by The Cricketer earlier this year.

The commentary will be spearheaded by Mark Nicholas and Darren Gough, while Mark Butcher, Gareth Batty, Matt Prior and Mahela Jayawardene will also feature.

No female member of the commentary team was announced on Tuesday.

Comments

Posted by Tony Trevor on 08/10/2018 at 08:32

Well, they certainly have assembled a good team, but are they going to Sri-Lanka ? I ask this because during the 2002 soccer world cup, ( South America or Africa. I can't remember the exact location) Talksports broadcasting was done from this country. The commentators had to mention this fact every so often, and they did the commentary to a recorded background of a cheering crowd. Surely not this time . T.M.S is ingrained in our psyche.

Posted by Samantha Nelson on 05/10/2018 at 20:43

I gave Talksport a chance when I listened to their coverage of the IPL, and on more than one occasion I endured their advert laden broadcast only to miss the final over of a close match because they switched to football. That they consider this acceptable treatment of cricket fans does not speak well of their attitude to the sport. Television and radio cricket commentary are very different beasts so for the line up of broadcasters to include so many who specialise in presenting televised cricket, however well they do that job, is also concerning. As for the statement regarding advert placement, I am interested in their definition of ‘live play’ and ‘natural breaks’. I fear that this could allow for commercial breaks at the end of every over, which is going to make for frustratingly disjointed listening. Roll on next summer when we get TMS back.

Posted by Leslie Bone on 05/10/2018 at 16:50

Other than Mark Nicholas and possibly Darren Gough the spearheaded group is second rate. It is unclear then what part the Sky regulars will take who are top class and in a different league. It will be interesting to see how it all works out.

Posted by Richard on 05/10/2018 at 16:09

Talksport is a great station for about five minutes and then the adverts start and I just switch over to something more interesting. They will have adverts running every over and I can guarantee that most of them will be for bookies or skybet or similar obnoxious companies. I understand cricket on Sky for the money that they pay to MCC but cricket on radio is TMS and should remain on that BBC channel. Maybe the government ought to make it a protected show and no-one else is allowed to broadcast cricket commentary.

Posted by Mr Lloyd Birch on 02/10/2018 at 09:45

What a load of rubbish - Talksport is a commercial station, when are they going to get the adverts in? - and how many? it will disrupt the smooth running and the professionalism of the radio commentary that we have become so familiar with. Disgraceful decision. What will they sell off next?

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