BBC World Service has aired a special documentary looking back at 90 years of sports commentary, hosted by famous Icelandic commentator Gudmundur Benediktsson.
The footballer turned commentator became a household name when his excited reaction to Iceland beating England in Euro 2016 suddenly went viral.
He’s voiced an hour long show for the World Service, commissioned by Made in Manchester, called Talking Sport: 90 Years of Commentary.
The programme looks at how commentary emerged in Britain, America, India, Brazil and other parts of the world and includes contributions from legendary commentators like Murray Walker, Gerald Sindstadt and John Motson. There’s also a section looking at the rise of female commentators including an interview with Kass Naidoo who became South Africa’s first black female cricket commentator.
Creative Director of Made in Manchester Ashley Byrne says: “The programme covers lots of countries and lots of sports. People like Gudmundur who really bring commentary to life are a major part of the story and he was a delight to work with.”
Talking Sport: 90 Years of Commentary is timed to mark the anniversary of the BBC’s first football league commentary in January 1927 when they covered ball by ball for the first time the match between Arsenal and Sheffield United at Highbury.
The programme kicks off a big year for Made in Manchester. The radio production company so far has more than 30 broadcast production projects lined up over the course of 2017. Creative Director Ashley Byrne adds: “Radio is thriving and MIM is making the most of it. We have some really exciting programmes in the pipeline for broadcasters here and around the world. We’re all looking forward to 2017 and to showing how production from the nations and regions of the UK can flourish and grow.”
Talking Sport: 90 Years of Commentary aired on the BBC World Service from 9am-10am today, January 25th 2017 and is also available via the BBC radio iplayer.
