Eurosport commentary

[Monte Serra]

So with the likes of Jose Been, Jens Dekker, and to a lesser extent (possibly) Magnus Backstedt doing commentary this year on British Eurosport/GCN, as well as Nicolas Roche doing something with french television during the TdF, it got me thinking. What/Are there any other cycling commentators (main or co) that have done so in a language that isn't their native language?

Marcel Kittel has been doing some work on Dutch TV during the Tour.

 

[Armchair cyclist]

So what is Mikkel Honore's Italian connection?

 

[RedheadDane]

So what is Mikkel Honore's Italian connection?

He crashed his bike, and now he's getting married to the daughter of the guy who makes Radio Tour for the Italian races.

 

[Abedfo]

Im hoping Rob Hatch does some more of the CX season this winter, he really sets the sense of occasion and puts across some excitement for watching the race.

The usual guy sounds like he is just watching the local club CX race around the school playing field, and that he would like to be anywhere else.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Im hoping Rob Hatch does some more of the CX season this winter, he really sets the sense of occasion and puts across some excitement for watching the race.

The usual guy sounds like he is just watching the local club CX race around the school playing field, and that he would like to be anywhere else.

I agree. While Hatch is not the favourite of quite a few on this forum, I feel he gives a better commentary than Marty Macdonald's almost script like presentation. Though i'd also say while i'm not the biggest fan of Jez Cox, I still feel he does a better job than Macdonald.

 

[Abedfo]

I agree. While Hatch is not the favourite of quite a few on this forum, I feel he gives a better commentary than Marty Macdonald's almost script like presentation. Though i'd also say while i'm not the biggest fan of Jez Cox, I still feel he does a better job than Macdonald.

Jez Cox is as mad as a box of frogs.

 

[tobydawq]

Damn. Apparently, Brian Holm had wanted to start aa a rider's agent after which Eurosport had informed him that he couldn't be a commentator for them as long as he was an agent.

He ended up deciding not embarking on his agency career.

I wonder what the big problem would be there, considering that he was allowed to work for them while he was a sporting director.

Also a little interesting to see that he couldn't do whatever he wanted - I thought he was the de facto Danish Eurosport Cycling boss.

 

[argyllflyer]

Eurosport Player being wound down.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Eurosport Player being wound down.

Oh no. I was going to switch over to that after my GCN sub runs out. Guess I'll go with Discovery+

 

[argyllflyer]

I am not sure what to do. Love the ES Player being on Apple TV and Firestick. Also have ES through Sky box and for some reason also a GCN sub. But Discovery+ is more expensive than ES Player (I think). And GCN is handy. Sky box only useful if I can access my TV (not easy!)

Decisions decisions...

 

[Wyndbrook]

I am not sure what to do. Love the ES Player being on Apple TV and Firestick. Also have ES through Sky box and for some reason also a GCN sub. But Discovery+ is more expensive than ES Player (I think). And GCN is handy. Sky box only useful if I can access my TV (not easy!)

Decisions decisions...

Same as you, ES through Sky box and GCN.
I gave up on player a few years ago when there were a series of problems with it.
I like GCN due to always being available and its extensive coverage, although I rarely use it during the summer due to time restraints. It comes into it's own for me with the cross coverage.
A lot will depend on what happens next year with mountain biking moving over from Red Bull and where it all fits in.

 

[RedheadDane]

Eurosport Player being wound down.

Have they sent messages out to their subscribers? Don't remember seeing anything doing the European CX Championships...

 

[Lequack]

Have they sent messages out to their subscribers? Don't remember seeing anything doing the European CX Championships...

They have sent out the message, I've gotten like 3 or 4. But not much in changing in reality though, it's just that now the videos will be available on eurosport.com directly. You can already login with your existing user/pass and watch the live channels same as before. I'm guessing it's the same as with the app. So it's more of a rebrand than anything else.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

A lot will depend on what happens next year with mountain biking moving over from Red Bull and where it all fits in.

And it's gone all quiet in that regard; I was hoping they'd have announced a bit more of their plans by now. And, they have to get the commentary teams right, which is going to be a problem as it's no longer Rob Warner. A poisoned chalice if ever there was one.

 

[Wyndbrook]

And it's gone all quiet in that regard; I was hoping they'd have announced a bit more of their plans by now. And, they have to get the commentary teams right, which is going to be a problem as it's no longer Rob Warner. A poisoned chalice if ever there was one.

I have this recurring nightmare that it might be Kirby.

 

[argyllflyer]

They have sent out the message, I've gotten like 3 or 4. But not much in changing in reality though, it's just that now the videos will be available on eurosport.com directly. You can already login with your existing user/pass and watch the live channels same as before. I'm guessing it's the same as with the app. So it's more of a rebrand than anything else.

As i understood it, its only moving to the website until subscriptions expire?

 

[Lequack]

As i understood it, its only moving to the website until subscriptions expire?

No the subscriptions will continue as before, that what I gathered from it. It's just a rebranding and the Player features are moving to eurosport.com now.

 

[RedheadDane]

TBF, the add free coverage already seems to be Discovery+ or GCN+

 

[lemon cheese cake]

What's happening with Eurosport?

 

[argyllflyer]

No the subscriptions will continue as before, that what I gathered from it. It's just a rebranding and the Player features are moving to eurosport.com now.

Yeah i am not sure... existing subscribers go to Eurosport and new to discovery.... but it it not specified what happens when existing annual plans come up for renewal?

 

[ooo]

Eurosport Player officially ended yesterday (2023-01-13)

Old subscriptions is still working on eurosport.com instead of eurosportplayer.com?

New subscription for sports only is not possible (without discovery+ entertainment package)?

 

[Lequack]

A sad day for live sports.

 

[Strawberry_Jams]

I was a bit annoyed. I could have carried on with the website but I just stopped my subscription and got gcn for the same price. Seemed like the right time.
Do I lose out on other sports? Yes. Do I regularly watch other sports? No. But did I at least want the option to watch other sports in case there was something to watch? Yes.

Still, I suppose I get to watch gcn 'original documentaries' as a replacement for other sports.
Oh and I have a Roku TV, which didn't have a player app, but did have a discovery + app (but I'm not going to spend double for that).

I wonder if gcn can finally sort out an app because they've been saying publicly for 2 years that they are 'working on it' and 'next on the list'. I'll be patient and carry on with the slightly annoying Chromecast until it arrives. (Hopefully)

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

I was going to change from GCN to Eurosport this season as I'd prefer the option of watching giant slalom now and again to GCN documentaries as very few of those are about racing, There's a £20 (or maybe £30) difference between GCN and Discovery+ and I don't think I'd watch £20's worth of downhill skiing in a season so I'll probably stick with GCN.

 

[argyllflyer]

Eurosport GCN have live Tour Down Under this season; starts 7.25am today (tuesday) with the prologue and highlights in evening.

It's Cox and Blythe in the booth.