Twitter doesn’t just ‘Bumble’ along
July 9th, 2009 by Mark Perry
Sky Sports have been hyping The Ashes for months in their own inimitable way and who can blame them with the money they have spent to secure sole television rights.
It is one of their older commentators, the former England player and coach David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd, who has taken on their coverage to another level with his tweets from the commentary box.
Reading his tweets reminds me of listening to the grandfather of cricket coverage Test Match Special (TMS).
Over the first two days we have learnt from Lloyd his views on the food being delivered, suggested player look-a-likes and that he even listened to the Inspiral Carpets and Mark E Smith on the way to the ground this morning.
It is not just the occasional tweet either from Lloyd there is regular comment and views through each session. While the BBC’s Jonathan Agnew is sending regular tweets, it seems as if Lloyd has edge. Perhaps Agnew, sitting in the TMS commentary box can add little to what is being said.
Both set up their accounts within days of each other last week and Lloyd has taken a first innings lead with Lloyd having 8885 followers compared with 6820 following Aggers. Interestingly, old stalwart Henry Blofeld has started up his own Twitter account - only yesterday - most of tweets seem to be just retweets.
Sky, along with Bumble, seems to have grasped the extra dimension that Twitter can bring to fans – some of whom are sitting in the office and can’t watch the TV or listen to the radio.
Tags: ;test Match Special, The Ashes, twitter
July 17th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I think it is a terrible shame that unless you have Sky Sports you only get 40-odd minutes of highlights a day. The Ashes should have remained on the protected register of sporting events that are guarenteed live coverage on a free-to-view channel.
With Sky’s sports budget 3 times that of the BBC for example, it is increasing hard for other channels to compete, and I wonder if in ten years the likes of Wimbledon,
July 17th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
…the FA Cup and the World Cup will go the same way.
Did I take a stand and boycott (gedditt) Sky?? Did I heck. Took out a Sky Sports subscription and got it installed in the bedroom for good measure. If you can’t beat em, join em.