Listings in next week's TV guides show that Steve Rider will be hosting the live ITV1 Champions League games, replacing Gabby Logan who has had that role for the last couple of years.
No surprise really considering she was seemingly demoted midway through the World Cup - whether it's the right choice is a question of preference I suppose.
I've always felt Gabby was pretty good and though Steve Rider is an accomplished and respected sports broadcaster, personally I just can't get used to him doing football!
The info in What's on EastEnders didn't give the other programmes presenters, so is Gabby playing a role in either anchoring ITV4's coverage or the ITV1 highlights.
If so, I guess either Jim Rosenthal or Matt Smith has been pushed out.
I think we can also be pretty certain that next year Steve Rider will be the main anchor of the Rugby World Cup too!
I must admit I am appalled by this decision. Gabby is a consumate professional who is VERY knowledagble about football (and pretty good on other sports as well) as well as being a very pleasant and fun lady in real life.
To put things into perspective, ITV have had 6 different anchors for the past 6 World Cups, whereas the BBC have had just 2 (Des and Gary).
For the record, they are: Brian Moore (1986), Elton Welsby (1990), Matthew Lorenzo (1994), Bob Wilson (1998), Des Lynam (2002) and Steve Rider (2006).
ITV are making a big fuss of their new signing, but the reality is that Steve's biggest strengths are F1 and golf, football just isn't a major strongpoint for him.
They should use their presenters to their greatest strengths, and Gabby is their best for football.
Terrible decision in my opinion, and it wasn't long ago that Gabby was a rising star at ITV, fronting their main football coverage, the Boat Race, and even being given entertainment formats. I expect Rider gets the Boat Race as well now.
They've spent years getting her to the point where she was as well respected and known as any other presenter in a typically male dominated environment.
Steve Rider is supposedly a 'safe pair of hands', a true pro, but he's so one dimensional, and I agree football isn't his expertise.
So what is there for Gabby to stay with ITV now ? I expect she'll leave for another broadcaster, and who could blame her.
This has been common knowledge for several weeks, not sure why everyone's suddenly got in a flap about it.
What a pointless contribution.
Regardless of when you knew of it, it has been brought to the attention of this forum now, so it is being discussed now. As the Champions League comes back to screens next week, it is entirely relevant.
When Steve Rider left the BBC, he forfeited the opportunity to host some of the most prestigious sporting events around - Six Nations Rugby, the Open, the US Masters, not to mention the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. He would have undoubtedly been the BBC's lead man during London 2012.
I would be surprised if Rider forfeited all of these opportunities
just
to present F1 on ITV. Although it wasnt widely publicised at the time, my guess is that Rider's deal
included
the World Cup, Champions League and Rugby World Cup, allowing him to continue his reputation as an 'all-rounder'. Please correct me if I'm way off the mark!
I imagine Gabby saw this coming.
As for Matt Smith, he's recently been presenting 5 Live Breakfast. Is he still employed by ITV at all?
When Steve Rider left the BBC, he forfeited the opportunity to host some of the most prestigious sporting events around - Six Nations Rugby, the Open, the US Masters, not to mention the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. He would have undoubtedly been the BBC's lead man during London 2012.
I would be surprised if Rider forfeited all of these opportunities
just
to present F1 on ITV. Although it wasnt widely publicised at the time, my guess is that Rider's deal
included
the World Cup, Champions League and Rugby World Cup, allowing him to continue his reputation as an 'all-rounder'. Please correct me if I'm way off the mark!
No, my understanding is he agreed an 'improved offer' with ITV after the World Cup.
Quote:
As for Matt Smith, he's recently been presenting 5 Live Breakfast. Is he still employed by ITV at all?
As for Matt Smith, he's recently been presenting 5 Live Breakfast. Is he still employed by ITV at all?
He presents The Championship on ITV.
Fair point - forgot about that!
Even if it was an 'improved' offer after his initial defection, I still think Logan, Rosenthal et al would've been naive to think that Steve Rider would not get more of a foothold at ITV Sport in the long run.
But I do feel sorry for Gabby Logan - she is a consumate professional and is very knowledgable on football, moreso than Rider. If she does decide to leave. I'm not sure there's room for her at BBC Sport - the Beeb have too many female sports anchors already. Maybe Sky Sports beckons, or more light entertainment at ITV?
