Radio Bristol Coverage next season

Not really …. I know they read the forum so hoping it gets back to them …

Decent commentators please …. More wider fan involvement ….

Definitely not moaning I promise :

It's true unfortunately, the commentary is poor. No disrespect to KB, but he's not a broadcaster nor is he a current or former pro. The main commentator, don't recall his name, often sounds more pleased when the opposition score and shouldn't sound like he doesn't want to be there. I also generally find the opposition commentary much better even when clearly biased.

if Sky are broadcasting all our games will they put on commentators or use Bristol Radio... and if they do use in house can we tap into it ?

How do you define a "decent commentator"? I did the job for twenty years for Hospital Radio retiring in 22/23, it may appear an easy thing to do if you've never actually picked up a microphone and done it. It's easy to be critical but there is a only a split second to describe what is happening and sometimes things change so quickly you are literally chasing the play. The summariser will sometimes have to "tidy-up" what the commentator has just described in real time by explaining what led to the chance.

It may seem an easy thing to do, but it isn't and there is no wrong way or right way to do it. The hardest matches to describe are the ones where nothing is happening and that's where a little colour can help entertain those who cannot actually see what is happening.  

There are some commentators I don't like listening to but it doesn't mean that they are bad at their job. Radio Bristol has produced some really good commentators who have gone on to national success such as Alistair Bruce-Ball and more recently Alfie Reynolds who has worked both for the BBC and Talk Sport (he now specialises on rugby). He actually gained experience at Hospital Radio and I worked with him at Ashton Gate for a while, within two minutes of his first commentary stint I knew that he was a natural, it's been great to see him develop. Others have tried but fallen quickly by the wayside because they soon realised it wasn't something they could do.

I don't think iFollow has helped Radio Bristol because they are essentially providing radio commentary not TV commentary which are different disciplines. You may be critical because a commentator has named the wrong player but it isn't easy if it's an "opposition player" early in the game who is unfamiliar, you can't see their number and you have a split second to call it.

Any way it's all opinions in the end!

Kind regards

John Malyckyj

Granted commentary is a skill but if I can I listen to the opponents commentary for the following reasons.
They appreciate that those listening might not be able to see the game.
They generally get our players names right.
They know the difference between left and right. Still trying to work out how Thomas is running down the right wing and whips in a left footed outswinger with pace

One of the worst commentators on Radio Bristol is Andy Howard who is also on Points West one of his classics was when he asked Sean O’Driscoll of the dark side was he up for the fight to which the reply was don’t be stupid go away made me laugh

Do we think we'll ever get to a point where people don't think local media coverage is crap/bias/woke/whatever the latest moan? Probably not.

When it's gone, probably within 5 years?

They clearly see a talent there, and when I've heard her during iFollow matches, thought she did very well. We know she's a Yeovil fan and she's never hidden it. She's made it to national radio, good luck to her.

Kind regards

John Malyckyj