BBC Racing Commentary

There has been a great deal of debate on Racing forums recently about the commentating ability of Jim McGrath.

Allow me to play Devil’s advocate here and present the following –

Those of us who follow racing closely mostly watch the racing on course or via one of the specialist racing channels.

For Joe Public most of their experience of racing comes via terrestrial television and that is the main shop window for the sport to attract potential future racegoers.

Whether we like it or not, there is a responsibility for the public service broadcaster to ensure the best commentator provides the commentary, if the commentary and presentation on terrestrial TV is bland and average it will be less likely to attract new followers to the sport.

My earliest racing memories were, as a child, listening enthralled to the commentaries of Peter O’Sullevan and Tony Cook on the television and those, more than anything else, first kindled my interest racing.

For many years it was “The Voice” who filled that role perfectly. To be honest whoever followed him was almost on a hiding to nothing as he was a near impossible act to follow. At the time Jim McGrath was probably the best caller to take on the mantle.

Although his commentaries are perfectly adequate I think there is a common consensus that Jim’s commentaries are not as good and do not have the same edge or enthusiasm as they once had.

As a responsible broadcaster is it not incumbent of the BBC to consider if they currently have the best person in the role?

The trouble with the BBC is once you are in place you almost have a job for life. (I used to work for the BBC and I remember being told on my first day, only half jokingly, you can have an affair with the DG’s wife if you want – the only thing they will sack you for here is not buying a TV licence). The BBC also seem to like to plan succession, Jim was clearly in place to follow Sir Peter and it looks as though Barty is there to eventually succeed Jim.

For all their faults C4 will replace their senior caller if a better option is available (Simon Holt replacing GG for example)

C4 are, more and more, reverting to using the on course commentary instead of their usual team. Mark Slater was used for Bangor today and I notice Lee McKenzie is apparently being used at Wincanton next Saturday.

This begs the question, does the BBC need to have a staff commentator?

Racing is probably unique amongst mainstream sports in that it provides commentary at the venue. The standard of oncourse commentary is better than ever, so why not, like C4, use the racecourse feed?