http://www.btlife.bt.com/entertainment/bt-sport-announces-a-great-line-up-of-sporting-talent/Michael Owen is among the latest line-up of presenters, commentators and experts to join BT Sport.
The former England striker, due to retire from football at the end of this season, will take up the role of co-commentator alongside Darren Fletcher – one of the most familiar voices on BBC Radio 5 Live – and Ian Darke, who has covered all 21 seasons of the Barclays Premier League as well as Champions League finals and five World Cups for various broadcasters.
In addition, Premier League referee Mark Halsey joins BT Sport in August in a brand new role in the commentary team working across the channels’ football coverage.
Double Champions League winners Owen Hargreaves and Steve McManaman, as well as former England No1 goalkeeper David James MBE, will be on BT Sport’s team of football experts.
As previously announced, sports broadcaster Jake Humphrey will be the anchor of BT Sport’s 38 exclusively live Barclays Premier League football matches while Ray Stubbs joins as chief football reporter.
Accomplished journalist and sports broadcaster Des Kelly joins BT Sport to present a new sports magazine programme, ‘Life’s a Pitch’.
Award-winning broadcaster Clare Balding will present and co-produce a weekly sports magazine chat show that will feature interviews with major sporting names and discussion of big sporting issues. The show will also shine a spotlight on women’s sport. Meanwhile Tim Lovejoy will present a weekend sports magazine programme along with guest co presenters.
BT Sport will show exclusive coverage of up to 69 live rugby union games from the Aviva Premiership. Coverage will be presented by established broadcaster Craig Doyle. He will be joined by former England captain and lead rugby expert Lawrence Dallaglio. Joining them will be former England internationals Matt Dawson, Ben Kay, Austin Healey and Martin Bayfield.
BT Sport has also signed a deal with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to show matches from 21 global tournaments. The greatest female tennis player of all time, Martina Navratilova, will be the channels’ tennis expert and tournament anchor. She joins TV and radio personality Lynsey Hipgrave. BT has also signed up British tennis player Heather Watson to star in the TV advertising campaign.
As already announced, Rio Ferdinand will join as an interviewer, programme-maker and football expert, while BT Sport has signed up several ambassadors who will feature in TV ads and marketing campaigns as well as make regular guest appearances on the new channels.
Gareth Bale will be at the forefront of BT’s marketing campaign. Joining him for the next three years will be Barclays Premier League top scorer Robin van Persie of Manchester United and Arsenal and England star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. BT Sport has also signed up Everton’s Marouane Fellaini, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen and England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Joining as Ambassadors from the world of Rugby Union are England and Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw, Leicester Tigers player Manu Tuilagi, and Saracens’ Owen Farrell.
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