Behind the Microphone

Hamish Percy
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FOOTBALL

Hamish Percy chats to some of the UK's most successful sports broadcasters about their lives and careers to date. In each episode a different sports broadcaster discusses how their careers have progressed and what it takes to be a successful sports broadcaster.

  1. 06/14/2023

    Sam Matterface

    ITV and talkSPORT commentator Sam Matterface joins the podcast this week to discuss his career journey so far and to share some brilliant tips for aspiring sports broadcasters. Sam details his journey from hospital radio, through to presenting at Sky Sports News, to then working for ITV and talkSPORT commentating. In this episode Sam also discusses the changing landscape for young aspiring sports broadcasters attempting to get into the industry now, giving his wisdom and advice on how to succeed in the early years. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 4:00 - Sam’s initial break into broadcasting. 4:00 - 9:00 - Local radio beginnings. 9:00 -  12:30 - Lessons learnt and experience gained at 107.4 The Quay.  12:30 - 14:30 - Opportunity through commercial radio routes now or lack of…  14:30 - 17:00 - The new and different ways to break through and gain experience… 17:00 -  20:30 - Sky Sports News experience. 20:30 - 22:45 - What Sam is currently doing now, commentating and presenting on TV and Radio and whether he thought he would be where he is today. 22:45 - 25:00 - Sam’s top tips for all aspiring sports broadcasters.

    26 min

  2. 06/07/2023

    Mark Chapman

    Sports broadcasting legend Mark Chapman joins the podcast this week. Starting his career as a continuity announcer for the BBC Mark now  presents across both radio and TV, fronting Match of the Day 2 and presenting shows like the Monday Night Club on the radio. In this episode Chappers discusses his sports broadcasting career so far,  sharing plenty of extremely helpful tips for aspiring sports broadcasters. As well as really delving in to the skills needed to becoming a top sports presenter. Time codes:- 1:00 - 6:20 - Beginnings and initial break with the BBC. 6:20 - 8:20 - Local radio route.  8:20 - 10:30 - Mark’s advice for aspiring sports broadcasters looking for their first break/ job. 10:30 - 15:30 - Mark’s move to Radio 1 and lessons learnt there. 15:30 - 17:00 Not saying no to opportunities when they arise. 17:00 - 22:00 - Presenting across different sports and formats. 22:00 - 28:00 - Getting the best out of pundits and guests and the art of listening. 28:00 - 30:20 Top tips for aspiring sports broadcasters.

    30 min

  3. 03/22/2023

    Kelly Cates

    The brilliant Kelly Cates joins the podcast this week, Kelly is one of the very best sports broadcasters around and has worked for all of the big broadcasters including Sky Sports, Premier League Productions, talkSPORT, the BBC, and more… In this episode Kelly shares loads of tips and tricks to becoming a successful sports presenter as well as sharing her the journey of her amazing career so far. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 4:20 - Initial break into the industry via a brand new Sky Sports News. 4:20 - 8:00 - Taking every opportunity that comes your way/importance of timing. 8:40 - 10:20 - Importance of saying YES/ taking risks! 10:20 - 13:25 - Kelly’s relaxed style and how this came about… 13:25 - 16:30 - Preparation and preparing for new challenges/ new sports. 16:30 - 20:20 - Adapting styles across different shows. 20:20 - 23:50 - Importance of reacting to guests and LISTENING! 23:50 - 26:00 - Using body language to aid live debates. 26:00 - 31:00 - Advice for aspiring sports broadcasters.

    31 min

  4. 03/17/2023

    Ian Irving

    This week Ian Irving joins the podcast, Ian is a presenter and reporter for Premier League Productions and the host of the Athletics ‘Talk of the Devils’ podcast. In this episode Ian shares his story on how he got to where he is today and gives some really great advice on how any aspiring sports broadcaster can move forward in their career. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 2:30 - Ian’s ambitions growing up. 2:30 - 10:30 - Initial break into the industry and experience at Channel M. 10:30 - 15:00 - Developing and improving as a broadcaster. 15:00 - 18:00 - Dealing with criticism and using it to help you improve. 18:00 - 19:40 - Developing skills needed to be a successful sports broadcaster. 19:40 - 23:30 - How to be a successful podcast host. 23:30 - 26:30 - Interview skills.

    27 min

  5. 03/10/2023

    Olivia Buzaglo

    Presenter and reporter Olivia Buzaglo joins the podcast this week. Liv shares her journey from logging at Premier League Productions to presenting twice a day for Sky Sports News during the January transfer window. There are some great bits of advice from Liv throughout this episode, especially around using your initiative and being yourself. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 3:15 - Dreams growing up. 3:15 - 4:30 - New experience at SSN. 4:30 - 7:25 - Breaking into the industry. 7:25 - 14:00 - Progression at Premier League Productions. 14:00 - 19:00 - Advice to aspiring sports broadcasters. 19:00 - 21:30 - Going freelance. 21:30 - 24:10 - Adapting to new styles of presenting. 24:10 - 30:00 - Liv’s love for Chelsea and how this relates to her work.

    30 min

  6. 03/01/2023

    Kelly Somers

    Sports Presenter and reporter Kelly Somers joins the podcast this week. Kelly shares the journey of her amazing career so far, starting out as a media assistant at a League One Bournemouth side, all the way through to where she is today, having recently covered the 2022 World Cup as the BBC’s England team reporter. In this episode Kelly talks about the importance of taking opportunities and saying yes, working hard and learning from your mistakes. Timecodes 1:00 - 5:00 - First career steps 5:00 - 12:20 - Media assistant at Bournemouth, moving from League 1 to the Premier League and gaining a varied and well-rounded experience. 12:20 - 15:20 - Move to PLP 15:20 - 18:15 - Taking opportunities, saying yes, and hard work ! 18:15 - 22:00 - Making mistakes and learning from them. 23:00 - 28:00 The process of interviews, preparation, research and getting the best out of interviewees. 28:00 - 30:00 - Advice for sports broadcasters, believing in yourself !

    31 min

  7. 02/14/2023

    Mark Schwarzer

    Series 3 Episode 1 kicks off with former Premier League and Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Mark has over 500 Premier League appearances, the most by a player outside the UK & Ireland and has the 3rd most Premier League clean sheets of all time. In this episode Mark discusses all things sports media, from his perception and how he dealt with the media as a player, to his transition to working in the sports media. A fascinating insight into what it is like for a professional footballer to move into sports broadcasting. Composer - Graham Slack. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 4:50 - Mark’s perception and understanding of the media as a player. 4:50 - 9:20 - Thoughts about life after football 9:20 - 11:00 - Moving into the sports media as Mark’s footballing career was coming to an end. 11:00 - 14:10 - Biggest challenges Mark has faced moving into the sports media. 14:10 - 21:30 - Conducting post-match interviews and how being an ex-player can effect conducting post-match interviews. 21:30 - 25:30 - Sides of the media Mark has found more easy and difficult, including press conference experiences. 25:30 - 26:45 - Mark’s mindset when going into interviews and the understanding he has of the pressures of the media having played the game. 26:45 - Mark Schwarzer Quiz

    30 min

  8. 05/13/2021

    Darren Fletcher

    BT Sport's lead football commentator Darren Fletcher joins Hamish for this week's podcast episode. Darren talks through his career from working on suspended ceilings after school in Sheffield to commentating on five successive Champions League Finals. He talks through all thing’s commentary, from the preparation for each match, to performing during the big moments. A journey of hard work and perseverance, with great stories along the way. With credit to BT Sport. Time Codes:- - 1:18-6:50- Darren's career aspirations from an early age and his beginnings in sports broadcasting. - 6:50-13:25- Darren's early experiences with Brian Clough and Trent FM. - 13:25-18:40- Moving to BBC Radio 5 Live, why that was and whether this is the natural progression for commentators and broadcasters. - 18:40-20:45- Darren's experience presenting for BT Sport. - 20:45-23:25- Specialising in a particular field, do aspiring sports broadcasting need to specialise in reporting or commentating, etc or become well-rounded? - 23:25-26:40- How to be the very best commentator. - 26:40-28:45- How to prepare for unexpected moments in commentary (Lucas Moura vs Ajax, Liverpool vs Barcelona). - 28:45-31:20- Advice for aspiring sports broadcasters. - 31:20-35:00- Darren Fletcher Quiz.

    35 min
See All (25)

About

Hamish Percy chats to some of the UK's most successful sports broadcasters about their lives and careers to date. In each episode a different sports broadcaster discusses how their careers have progressed and what it takes to be a successful sports broadcaster.

Information

  • Creator
    Hamish Percy
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2023
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hamish Percy
  • Show Website
    Behind the Microphone