Tension between Journalistic and Entertainment Values in Live Soccer TV Commentary: The Commentator’s Perspective
This article examines the tension between journalistic and entertainment values in live soccer TV commentary from the perspective of German commentators. We situate journalistic and entertainment values within the commentators’ wider understanding of their roles as sports journalists and commentator...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Journalism and Media |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5172/4/2/40 |
| _version_ | 1797593933549666304 |
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| author | Jessica Kunert Peer Kuni |
| author_facet | Jessica Kunert Peer Kuni |
| author_sort | Jessica Kunert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article examines the tension between journalistic and entertainment values in live soccer TV commentary from the perspective of German commentators. We situate journalistic and entertainment values within the commentators’ wider understanding of their roles as sports journalists and commentators, looking at a specific type of sports journalist who has different responsibilities from the general sports reporter. We asked how soccer commentators assess the role of journalistic and entertainment values in their work, and what constraints they face, such as how the perceived expectations of their employer affect this assessment. We interviewed 28 TV commentators, one radio commentator, and one expert working for relevant German TV channels and streaming platforms, such as ZDF, Sky, and DAZN. While all interviewees see themselves as companions telling the story of the match, most commentators in the sample value journalistic values over entertainment values, a surprising finding in the hyper-commercialized world of sports television. Well-founded journalistic expertise and soccer knowledge are considered most important. However, this assessment depends on factors such as the broadcaster’s guidelines and the nature of the match. In summary, the role of the commentator is either an ‘objective mediator’ or an ‘emotional entertainer’, but this is a balancing act. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:16:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-95158225969b4e938b14c5b9c5d87e49 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-5172 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:16:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journalism and Media |
| spelling | doaj.art-95158225969b4e938b14c5b9c5d87e492023-11-18T11:09:48ZengMDPI AGJournalism and Media2673-51722023-05-014263164710.3390/journalmedia4020040Tension between Journalistic and Entertainment Values in Live Soccer TV Commentary: The Commentator’s PerspectiveJessica Kunert0Peer Kuni1Department of Journalism/Department of Communication, Faculty 02 Social Sciences, Media, and Sports, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55116 Mainz, GermanySky Sport, 85774 Unterföhring, GermanyThis article examines the tension between journalistic and entertainment values in live soccer TV commentary from the perspective of German commentators. We situate journalistic and entertainment values within the commentators’ wider understanding of their roles as sports journalists and commentators, looking at a specific type of sports journalist who has different responsibilities from the general sports reporter. We asked how soccer commentators assess the role of journalistic and entertainment values in their work, and what constraints they face, such as how the perceived expectations of their employer affect this assessment. We interviewed 28 TV commentators, one radio commentator, and one expert working for relevant German TV channels and streaming platforms, such as ZDF, Sky, and DAZN. While all interviewees see themselves as companions telling the story of the match, most commentators in the sample value journalistic values over entertainment values, a surprising finding in the hyper-commercialized world of sports television. Well-founded journalistic expertise and soccer knowledge are considered most important. However, this assessment depends on factors such as the broadcaster’s guidelines and the nature of the match. In summary, the role of the commentator is either an ‘objective mediator’ or an ‘emotional entertainer’, but this is a balancing act.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5172/4/2/40entertainmentjournalistic roleslive commentarysports journalism |
| spellingShingle | Jessica Kunert Peer Kuni Tension between Journalistic and Entertainment Values in Live Soccer TV Commentary: The Commentator’s Perspective Journalism and Media entertainment journalistic roles live commentary sports journalism |
| title | Tension between Journalistic and Entertainment Values in Live Soccer TV Commentary: The Commentator’s Perspective |
| title_full | Tension between Journalistic and Entertainment Values in Live Soccer TV Commentary: The Commentator’s Perspective |
| title_fullStr | Tension between Journalistic and Entertainment Values in Live Soccer TV Commentary: The Commentator’s Perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tension between Journalistic and Entertainment Values in Live Soccer TV Commentary: The Commentator’s Perspective |
| title_short | Tension between Journalistic and Entertainment Values in Live Soccer TV Commentary: The Commentator’s Perspective |
| title_sort | tension between journalistic and entertainment values in live soccer tv commentary the commentator s perspective |
| topic | entertainment journalistic roles live commentary sports journalism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5172/4/2/40 |
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