Former Premier League referee Peter Walton has been ditched by TNT Sports, having rebranded from BT Sport ahead of next season. The new-look channel has put together a popular line-up of pundits, but a strict set of rules mean that viewers may not be able to see them in action elsewhere.
Walton was the resident refereeing expert on BT Sport, and commentators would ‘bring him in’ whenever there was a contentious decision to be made. However, the 63-year-old ended up gaining something of a cult following for predicting a whole host of calls incorrectly.
TNT Sports have also decided to part company with touchline reporter Des Kelly ahead of the channel’s rebrand on Tuesday. In his place, viewers will be received by a majority female line-up.
Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and Conference League coverage will be fronted by one of a four-strong team containing Jules Breach, Laura Woods, Lynsey Hipgrave and Reshmin Chowdhury.
The selection of pundits include Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Savage and the hugely popular Ally McCoist. However, the enforcement of strict rules means that the channel’s famous names are unlikely to be seen working across multiple networks.
TNT Sports have brought in that rule, with only a few exceptions, to help them build an identity. The channel are supposedly looking to take the challenge to Sky when domestic rights to Premier League coverage go out to tender later this year.
TNT Sports will also show rugby, MotoGP and other sports, although the channel’s bosses have yet to make a formal approach for Saudi Pro League coverage after a host of big stars transferred to the Middle East this summer.
“We do want to be contemporary, we do want to be bold, we definitely want to push the boundaries of what sports broadcasting has been in this market over the previous years,” added Georgiou.
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