The standard of sport broadcasting has dropped over the past 11 years since I finished with Radio Kerry and there famed course. We were warned that podcasting would take over and that fact has been proven correct. Nearly every topic is now covered and has its own podcast. In certain instances this is helpful and useful but in other ways, this can just be painful.
I have done my own interviewing since 2015/2016 and while I am probably cutting my own throat by saying the internet is saturated by podcasts, I stick by it.
The line between podcasting and working in the commercial sector has been blurred big time and many instances now you see certain pundits giving their own personal views which has no place in most circumstances but would be far better served on a club podcast and not on national radio.
The last time I checked, you were asked to give an informed opinion and not tell us of your love for a particular club or player and it doesn’t matter the code either. Standards have dropped and organisations need to rain in there “talent” and I also use that word loosely as the quality of pundit has gone by the wayside.
You are now treated to hour long build ups in most sports and the majority of that time in innate rubbish with only 10 or 15 minutes of quality punditry before a game or event kicks off and this is across a lot of sport and is not just in one or two areas. “ keep it to the point and concise” a mantra I have stuck by in the 11 years since I finished up that Radio Kerry course.
It is a bugbear of many people, get to the point and stop waffling, yes I get the irony of yours truly saying that in certain circumstances.
Podcasting is big business and continues to grow week on week nearly, but there is a still a difference between commercial broadcasting and podcasting and let’s hope that line starts to become clearer and those who are working into new season in a number of sports will remember to be clear and concise and to the point.
The need for knowledgeable pundits is crucial also and hopefully certain companies will bring in recently retired people rather than people who haven’t been involved for various lengths of time in their chosen sports.
Having done a small bit of that work, I will tell you it isn’t as easy or a cosy as it looks and you have to do your own homework so you can make clear and relevant points, my hope for the new season across many sports is that we slowly begin to return to punditry that works and is short, sharp and to the point…..
We have had a feast of European athletics and swimming over the past few days and that will continue for another couple of days and it has been great to see pundits who know exactly what they are talking about and use their expertise to take us through each event on the track and pool. It is clear and to the point and a joy to listen to.
Let’s hope the new season is the start where standards begin to improve and we are treated to some quality pundits and punditary.