The Sport Thread

So, the other question is, who will replace him on MOTD2? My guess would be Colin Murray, if they want to continue the same relaxed, fan-led feel of the show.

ITV Football & 5-morning a week GMTV?

So on any given Wednesday this autumn, he'll be up at 3am, do a three-ish hour stint on breakfast telly, then make his way to Spain / Germany et al for a Champions League away tie, then fly back (sans Volcano) to UK for two hours kip and the GMTV sofa the next morning? Or will he receive special dispensation?

And will he present GMTV live from South Africa this summer?

I'd imagine he won't join GMTV till around September. Most ITV CL matches are UK based too, so Wednesday's shouldn't be a problem, though if he's up north Thursdays might be. Adrian Chiles though must be the only person in TV who actually wants to work a five day week.

I wonder too if this four-year deal will cover the 2014 World Cup too - would be stupid to sign him up only for the deal to expire weeks before the next one. Indeed when was the last time ITV had the same lead presenter for two World Cups running. I think Matt Lorenzo/Elton Welsby did 1994, Bob Wilson 1998, Des Lynam 2002 and Steve Rider 2006, and now Chiles hosting 2010. Was it Brian Moore in the eighties and 1990?

No, the last time they had the same presenter for the World Cup as the last one was Brian Moore in 1986, Welsby did 1990 (from Italy, with Nick Owen in London) and Lorenzo in 1994. In fact Moore almost didn't present the 1986 World Cup as about two minutes before it started, ITV announced they'd signed Nick Owen to replace him as anchor from the following season with Moore concentrating on commentary, which was news to Moore. He said that it would have looked better for him, Owen and ITV had they announced that Moore was stepping down as anchor and then a few days later announced that Owen was joining. I know Greavsie had a row with ITV at that World Cup too as he didn't like the role he was given.

Of course, Lynam is the only presenter who actually stepped down of their own accord, and I wouldn't join ITV if they were forever looking for someone more exciting.

Seriously though . . . what will happen to Steve Rider?!

There's little for him to do at the BBC . . . Inverdale, Irvine/Lineker and Humphrey are now firmly established as anchors of rugby, golf and F1 respectively. Plus the Beeb are so keen on nurturing their own talent these days, I doubt he'd be offered a contract.

None of the other terrestrial broadcasters have anything 'suitable'. So perhaps its off to Sky . . . rugby perhaps? Or sharing golf duties with David Livingstone? Whatever happens, it would be a shame if one of the principle UK sports broadcasters were to disappear from terrestrial television.

Rider Speculation .... Anchoring Guinness Prem on ESPN next year .... Nobody's announced so far for that role afaik.

Steve Rider's contract expires this year. Either it's not being renewed, or he will take a lesser role.

I can't see him being the second tier presenter, with Europa League matches on ITV4, Champions League Highlights, FA Cup Draw, Boxing, Touring Cars ?

If he stays I can't imagine there will be a role for Jim Rosenthal or Matt Smith.

I don't think the presenter is really the problem with ITV football, they do however need some new pundits and co-commentators.

Well, they have to get some value for their money, he works 6 days a week at the BBC !

Also, sports rights are very volatile, there are 2 seasons left on the current FA Cup / England Internationals contract, but no guarantee that they'll keep them when they next come up for renewal. So GMTV is a good fallback.

I've never taken to Steve Rider hosting ITV Football, probably after all those years of him being the face of other sports, Grandstand etc. He's always been a safe pair of hands but not particularly entertaining.

Adrian is therefore a good replacement that may boost ITV's world cup team.

Regarding the second tier presenter, I'd prefer if they kept Jim Rosenthal rather than moving Steve Rider into this lesser role.

I agree - certainly wouldn't want him back in over Inverdale on the Six Nations. Perhaps he could take on the secondary role, as I'm betting Gabby gets the MOTD2 gig, but he's not really requited. If he doesn't do anything else though it would be good for the BBC to sign him up just for the London Olympics as they desperately need more male presenters to cover that.

I'm imagining then Steve's contract is up with ITV this year - can't find any articles from when he switched, but he joined in 2006 and we know ITV's F1 contract was originally due to expire this year, so I expect it was a 5-year deal. As with Gabby Logan and Bob Wilson before hand though, once again ITV's face of football is pushed aside to make room for the latest on ITV's wishlist, and I expect ultimately the same will happen with Adrian Chiles too.

Confirmation the BBC intend to broadcast the Commonwealth Games this year at last.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/commonwealth/

A bit ridiculous though they need approval for exclusive coverage because it's on the B-list. OK, it's only a hoop to jump through but just because it isn't on the A-list I don't see why the BBC should have to prove they've been offered the option of highlights/deferred coverage when clearly live rights are in the public interest. It should work the other way round really with sporting bodies who award live rights to events on the B-list to Sky etc. having to prove they've made them available for FTA broadcasters to bid for.

Steve Rider to take legal action against ITV due to his contract