As the Premier League season kicks off again this weekend, the landscape of football broadcasting in the Prem has evolved again with the arrival of TNT Sports on the scene.
While a staple of football coverage across the UK and Ireland since 2013, BT Sport was not exactly a beloved broadcaster.
When Discovery bought BT Sport and announced a rebranding, fans were left wondering just what TNT Sports would bring to the table. They'd assume the usual BT Sport games, especially on early Saturday afternoons.
There were new logos and social media handles, but at today's Arsenal v Nottingham Forest lunchtime kickoff, it was business as usual. Lynsey Hipgreave was the lead presenter. Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole were retained in punditry roles. Darren Fletcher was the lead commentator.
But TNT Sports made one vast improvement on last year's product, and that was by employing the brilliant Ally McCoist as a co-commentator.
Ally McCoist delivers brilliant opening day for new TNT Sports
'Fletch and Macca' were the BT Sports lead commentary team for years, for better and mostly for worse. Steve McManaman was a brilliant footballer, but he is not the most charismatic man in the commentary box.
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The Rangers legend is, however, one of the most engaging co-commentators on the circuit and his introduction in place of the often sterile McMananam is already a huge improvement on BT Sports coverage from last season. His passionate analysis of Saka's screamer for Arsenal today is exactly the kind of energy needed in the commentary box for the 12.30pm kickoffs.
STOP THAT, BUKAYO SAKA! 🚀
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/eC0BDyjrtP— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 12, 2023
More of this kind of thing.
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New season, new commentators.
All in all, it's a promising season for those of us watching the Premier League from our own sitting rooms.
While TNT Sports have rolled in a new era of Premier League Coverage, Sky Sports have been busy as well, with the retired Martin Tyler making way for Peter Drury.
There's no doubt thatPeter Drury brings with him a wealth of passion for his role. Drury provided a brilliant insight into his passion for commentary when speaking to Sky Sports this week.
An absolutely FASCINATING insight into a commentator's outlook from Peter Drury, Sky Sports' new signing for the gantry 🎙️🍿 pic.twitter.com/zdPL4X8K2Z
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 11, 2023
While TNT Sports may not have revolutionised sports coverage, the introduction of the ever-passionate Ally McCoist is a more than welcome change and we can't wait to hear him back on the box next week.
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