Why use commentator in TV broadcasts of sports?

garage_greg

Obviously a radio broadcast of a sporting event requires an commentator or two to tell the listening audience what is going on. But why do TV broadcasts of sports almost always use commentators? What is the point of having someone describing the event when viewers can see for themselves? Personally I am a frequent viewer of American football on TV, and I almost always find commentators take away from my viewing experience rather than add value...

Originally asked by Shiz Z. on Stack Exchange (movies) (CC BY-SA 3.0).

uphilltech

Great question — answering as the UphillTech team:

Beside from explaining rules to viewers who are not familiar with that particular sport, I see many advantages: Normally, the commentators are from a bigger broadcasting company, they have the chance to get exclusive information (e.g., when someone was injured they can tell that the doctors was with him/her or he/she arrived at the hospital) They have a lot of stastics (which nearly anyone could know. Even if they sit in front of a computer) they can tell when there is a boring moment of the sport. They will remind you of interviews of the players (e.g. when someone was asked if he/she will retire). Also, you have the feeling that something is going on even if the event is boring (I know a...

Full answer by Markus Klein: https://movies.stackexchange.com/a/17187 (CC BY-SA 3.0).

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