I tend to agree on both calls actually - although I do think ITV have enough to offer now to tempt John Inverdale away from the BBC on more than a freelance basis, although presumably Mark Pougatch was probably contracted for the Six Nations for more than just a year.
Clare Balding seemingly not in the mix at all, which isn't too surprising as they'll want to do their own thing but shows how things can change in just 4 years.
I'm quite surprised by that given the majority of ITV coverage some 60 days will be on ITV4, yes the Grand National, Cheltenham, Derby etc. will be on ITV therefore will get big ratings particularly The National but for me seems a bit of a step down from hosting the Premier League on Sky Sports to Racing from Kempton Park on ITV4 unless ITV have offered him roles on football with the channel as well.
Suppose if true the big question will be who will replace him on Super Sunday / MNF on Sky for me if I was a big name at Sky I would try and get Mark Chapman for the role although as a fan of MOTD2 and 5 Live I hope not
Massive blow for Sky if that's true, and while I know I'm verging off topic here it's hard to see who would replace him, the only internal candidates I could see would be Julian Warren or Jeff Stelling and I don't think they'd move the latter off Soccer Saturday to do it.
What about Jim White? Hosted live football before for both STV and Sky.
I'm surprised that Sky didn't try to go for the lady who offers the horse racing tips on Sky Sports News, in the morning, Alex Hammond. She's very knowledgeable about the sport, and I think it would've been a good fit.
What about Jim White? Hosted live football before for both STV and Sky.
Oddly I've always considered him the perfect replacement for Stelling on Soccer Saturday if he did leave, but Sky don't seem to think that way. He'd also be a good choice. Stelling, of course, has plenty of experience with the anchor role having done Sky's Champions League coverage for many years, and MNF at one point.
I'm quite surprised by that given the majority of ITV coverage some 60 days will be on ITV4, yes the Grand National, Cheltenham, Derby etc. will be on ITV therefore will get big ratings particularly The National but for me seems a bit of a step down from hosting the Premier League on Sky Sports to Racing from Kempton Park on ITV4 unless ITV have offered him roles on football with the channel as well.
From the reports it seems very much that racing is his first love and not everytyhing revolves around football. Yes, he may find himself on ITV4 occassionally but at least once a year he'll find himself hosting to millions more than he ever would on Sky.
Did he front all Premier League football in the end on Sky. Doesn't seem to be an obvious number two to step up to the role.
From the reports it seems very much that racing is his first love and not everytyhing revolves around football. Yes, he may find himself on ITV4 occassionally but at least once a year he'll find himself hosting to millions more than he ever would on Sky.
Did he front all Premier League football in the end on Sky. Doesn't seem to be an obvious number two to step up to the role.
I didn't realise Horse Racing is his first love and I think you make a very good point he will be in front of at least 8 million every year on ITV for the Grand National and have at least 30 days of Horse Racing on ITV to present and at least ITV got a proper sports presenter rather than Jeremy Kyle which was strongly rumoured a few months ago so I don't think it is a backward step but it did take me by surprise as he was on one of the highest regarded football shows on TV. I also wouldn't be surprised to see him hosting the World Cup for ITV in 2018
Everyone seems to be forgetting Dave Jones (Saturday Night Football host) who would perhaps be the obvious person to step up?
There is a reason for that and that is Saturday Night Football is one of the least regarded football shows on TV but I think that might be down to Jamie Redknapp rather than Dave Jones