Color commentator

Main commentator Arsenio Cañada (middle) introduces the basketball game between CB Estudiantes and CB Málaga assisted by two color analysts: Manel Comas (left), former coach, and Juanma Iturriaga (right), former player.

A color commentator or expert commentator is a sports commentator who assists the main (play-by-play) commentator, typically by filling in when play is not in progress. The person may also be referred to as a summariser (outside North America) or analyst (a term used throughout the English-speaking world).[1] The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the main commentator is not describing the action.[2] The color commentator provides expert analysis and background information, such as statistics, strategy, and injury reports on the teams and athletes, and occasionally anecdotes or light humor. Color commentators are often former athletes or coaches of the sport being broadcast.[3]

The term color refers to levity and insight provided by a secondary announcer. A sports color commentator customarily works alongside the play-by-play broadcaster.[4][5][6]

  1. ^ "Color commentator | Define Color commentator at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.reference.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  2. ^ "What Is a Color Commentator?". work.chron.com. Houston Chronicle. November 29, 2010. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  3. ^ "Announcers: Occupational Outlook Handbook — What Announcers Do". Bureau of Labor Statistics. January 8, 2014. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  4. ^ "Color Commentary and Play by Play: A Well-Rounded Approach to Facebook". Inkling Media. May 2, 2012. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  5. ^ "The Sportscaster: A Brief History & Job Description". Americansportscastersonline.com. January 7, 2014. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  6. ^ John Lund (November 27, 2012). "The Top Three Keys For Becoming a Color Commentator". Sportsideo.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.