Setanta unveils ‘Commentweeter’ for FA Cup


28 May 2009

Setanta Sports will be offering Twitter-based commentary of the FA Cup Final this Saturday. Match commentator Jon Champion will be simulcasting his comments on the micro-blogging site during the game.

Champion, who has been commentating on live football for over 20 years, will be posting on his Twitter feed at the same time that he leads the match commentary on Setanta Sports.

He’ll also be using the micro-blogging site to post preview comments and interact with users in the days leading up to the final, which this year sees Chelsea take on Everton at Wembley.

The Twitter commentary, which can be followed at www.twitter.com/commentweeter, is a key component of Setanta’s coverage, which plans to combine traditional FA Cup Final TV viewing with a modern twist.

In addition to Champion’s Twitter commentary, Setanta will be running an FA cup final ‘event centre’ on Setanta.com before, during and after the game.

The ‘event centre’ will feature reaction and stories and will include blog posts, Flickr photo galleries from Chelsea and Everton fans, behind-the-scenes videos and Twitter feeds from presenters, fans and celebrities.

“As a commentator, you want to communicate with people in a way that helps them enjoy the game as much as possible,” Champion said.

“If becoming a ‘Commentweeter’ is going to help do that, then I think this is a great idea. This will be the first time I’ve ever commentated on a game in two ways at the same time, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be busy, but hopefully my co-commentator Craig Burley won’t be deliberately trying to put me off!”

By John Kennedy