Behind the Microphone

Award winning sports broadcaster Mark Pougatch joins Hamish for this weeks episode of Behind the Microphone. One of the most recognisable faces and voices in sports broadcasting, Mark was BBC Radio Five Live’s main sports anchor, having presented their flagship Satuday afternoon show, 5 Live Sport and Sports Report for over 16 years. Now, he is ITV’s leading sports anchor for both football and rugby, while he also presents for Premier League Productions. In this episode Mark eloquently and insightfully discusses the art of holding a conversation/interview, in both radio and TV, and how vital it is to listen.

Mixed and Sound Designed by Rocket Ears.

Time Codes:-

- 1:00-5:00- First bit Uprbinging, early love for sport and education.

- 5:00-6:45-  Mark’s time at BBC Essex and the skills he developed there.

- 6:45-11:00- Moving to BBC Radio 5 Live, Mark’s love of a variety of sports and the importance of having a little knowledge of all sports.

- 11:00-12:30- Mark’s aim as a sports broadcaster hosting BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

- 12:30-14:20- The art of holding a conversation on both TV and radio and the key differences.

- 14:20-16:20- Just how vital it is to listen as a sports broadcaster.

- 16:20-17:45- Not getting too technical with questions, especially while on terrestrial television.

- 17:45- 22:20- Mark’s aims as a presenter when he is going into a big event, like the Football World Cup Semi-final 2018 or the Rugby World Cup final 2019 and getting the story right.

- 22:20-25:15-Top tips for aspiring sports broadcasters and how Mark Developed his skills.

- 25:15-30:00- Mark Pougatch Quiz.

Sports broadcaster Will Perry joins Hamish this week on the podcast. Will is a sports broadcaster with over 20 year’s experience in the industry and he currently works for BBC Sport and Premier League Productions as well as others. In this episode Will shares the story of his career so far, discussing everything that has made him the presenter he is today.

Time Codes:-

- 1:00-4:00- Will’s start in the media.

- 4:00-10:30- Will’s decision to leave University and his early career at Key 103 Manchester, talkSPORT and BBC Radio Manchester.

- 10:30-14:20- How covering a variety of sports and moving out of his comfort zone enhanced Will’s broadcasting skills.

- 14:20-20:00- Will’s move into Television.

- 20:00-28:30- The development of Will’s presenting style, having a bit of fun with it and Will’s aims as a sports broadcaster.

- 28:30-34:30- What Will thinks makes a successful sports broadcaster and his top tips for aspiring sports broadcasters.

- 34:30-39:12- Will Perry Quiz.

Presenter Jules Breach joins Hamish in this week’s episode. Jules hosts BT Sport Score every Saturday as well as various shows for Premier League Productions, CBS and more. Jules began her career presenting for shopping channels before moving on to Latest TV in Brighton and then establishing her own radio show ‘Sports Saturday’ at Juice 107.2 in Brighton. Jules discusses her career journey to date, including all the key lessons she learnt along the way, how she developed her own presenting style and her aims as a football presenter.

Time Codes:-

0:46-2:08- Jules’ early life and career ambitions.

2:08-5:00- First job out of University for shopping TV and the early lessons this taught her.

5:00-10:00- Jules move into sport and progression through local TV and radio.

10:00-12:40- Taking a career step back to move forward into sport.

12:40-15:55- How having her own radio show benefitted her skills as a broadcaster.

15:55-23:00- Why Jules went back to University to get her NCTJ diploma.

23:00-29:50- Jules move into national and international Television for BT Sport Score and Premier League Productions.

29:50-34:20- Jules presenting style, how this developed and how having no female football presenters she could really relate too while she was growing up shaped her style.

34:20-36:30- Jules aim as a presenter going into each show.

36:30-40:00- Jules Breach quiz.

BBC Radio 5 Live’s chief football reporter Ian Dennis joins Hamish in this week’s episode. Ian has been at the BBC for 25 years and has worked for regional radio stations in York, Cleveland, Leeds and Newcastle as well as working for the national radio station, Radio 5 Live. Ian talks through his career to date, including the difficulties and changing relationship between the sports media and the players and reminisces on some special European nights at Anfield. With credit to BBC Radio 5 Live.

Follow Ian on twitter @Iandennisbbc

Time Codes

1:00-6:00- Ian’s early life and the beginnings of his career.

6:00-7:00- Going freelance early.

7:00-11:45- Establishing yourself at new places

11:45-14:30- The difference in establishing relationships as a regional reporter vs a national reporter.

14:30-19:30- The difficulties and the changing relationship between the sports media and the players.

19:30-23:45- How to keep calm and measured in commentary during the big moments (Liverpool vs Dortmund 4-3 and Liverpool vs Barcelona 4-0).

23:45-26:15- How to keep listeners engaged over the radio during a boring or dull game.

26:15-27:30- Having a bit of fun with commentary.

27:30-29:00- Challenges of football commentary.

Award winning sports broadcaster Jonathan Overend joins Hamish for this weeks episode. Jonathan worked for the BBC for over 25 years in a variety of roles including spending 10 years as the tennis correspondent and also presenting and commentating on football for Five Live Sport. In this episode we journey through Jonathan’s career as well as delve into the art of tennis commentary. With credit to BBC Radio 5 Live.

https://www.jonathanoverend.com/

Time codes:-

1:00-4:04- Jonathan’s early life and beginnings in sports broadcasting.

4:04-10:30- Work at BBC Essex.

10:30-13:10- Moving to BBC Sport.

13:10-18:00- Specialising in tennis and becoming the BBC’s tennis correspondent.

18:00-22:10- The art of tennis commentary and the changing game.

22:10-25:55- Adapting to tennis commentary and how vital the correct use and amount of words are.

25:55-31:30- Moving on from being the BBC’s tennis correspondent.

31:30-34:43- Advice for aspiring sports broadcasters.

Freelance football reporter and presenter Alison Bender joins Hamish in this week’s episode. With over 20 years in the business Alison has covered European Championships, World Cups, Champions League games and much more. Alison speaks openly and honestly about her career to date, including all the highs of working in her dream job, as well as the lows like the dark side of social media and the challenges women face in the football media.

Please follow Alison on social media @alibendertv and head over to her website www.alisonbender.com and sign up to receive alerts on her extremely exciting project, Talent Takes Time, where aspiring sports broadcasters can learn more about the industry!

Time Codes:-

1:00-3:00- Alison’s early life and her desire to work in Television.

3:00-7:00- The start to Alison’s career at CNBC, the variety of roles she performed and the lessons she learnt there.

7:00-14:00- Alison’s move into presenting/reporting, including a first interview with Keanu Reeves.

14:00-18:00- Alison’s move to Real Madrid TV and the meticulous research that followed…

18:00-22:00- Fun interviews and how to get the best out of your interviewee.

22:45-27:00- Alison’s experiences with social media abuse and how to deal with it.

27:00-31:30- The challenges Alison and other women face in football media.

31:30-34:30- Alison’s best bits of advice for aspiring sports broadcasters.

34:30-38:00- Alison Bender Quiz.

Three-time Royal Television Society Sports News Reporter of the year Gabriel Clarke joins Hamish to kick off Series two. Starting in local journalism before moving into reporting, presenting and most recently documentary filmmaking, Gabriel performed a variety of roles in his career and discusses his wide-ranging skillset extensively in this episode. As well as this, Gabriel also provides his top tips on post-match interviews, especially when faced with difficult interviewees like Sir Alex Ferguson and Eddie Jones.

Most recently Gabriel has directed “Finding Jack Charlton,” a fantastic documentary on the life, career and fascinating journey of one of England and Ireland’s beloved characters, Jack Charlton. https://www.findingjackcharlton.com/

Time Codes:-

1:14-5:00- Initial lessons and journalistic beginnings.

5:00-6:53- The lessons Gabriel learnt from being out of his comfort zone and the importance of work experience.

6:53-12:00- Gabriel’s transition from written journalism to broadcasting.

12:00-14:00- A varied skillset (reporting, presenting, writing, etc).

14:00-16:10- What makes a good reporter?

16:10-21:21- The post-match interview process? What is Gabriel trying to achieve + the challenges he faces?

21:21-23:50- Top tips on how to deal with difficult interviewees.

23:50-26:26- Gabriel’s love for creating features + how to engage your audience.

26:26-28:00- Transition from creating features to documentary filmmaking.

28:00- 32:09- The Gabriel Clarke Quiz.

Sky Sports Football Commentator Gary Taphouse joins Hamish for this week’s episode. Gary has been a football commentator since he was studying at University and has been commentating for Sky Sports since 2005. Gary chats openly about his personal commentary horror stories, interview blunders and a whole lot more. With credit to Spurs TV and Sky Sports.

BBC's Football Correspondent and the voice of BBC Radio 5 Live John Murray joins Hamish this week. John has worked for the BBC for over 26 years now and is without a doubt one of the best radio commentators there is. Whether it is commentating on a last minute winner in the Champions League or describing a crucial putt during the Ryder Cup, John has done it all and shares his experiences openly during this episode. With credit to the BBC.