SUPERCARS BACKTRACKS ON TV COMMENTARY

Supercars backtracks on TV commentary – Image: Supplied

Supercars has bowed to public opinion and looks set to leave the TV commentary line-up largely unaltered.

By MARK FOGARTY

While efforts to reinstate Mark Larkham continue, AUTO ACTION understands the rest of the talk team will be mostly the same.

Neil Crompton is on the verge of renewing and Mark Skaife has already been re-signed.

Following the unprecedented uproar from fans over Larko’s sacking, Supercars senior executives have backed off from their plan to ‘de-tech’ the broadcast commentary.

AA has learned the team of hosts, presenters, commentators and reporters won’t be finalised until early next month, following the return of Supercars Media boss Nathan Prendergast

Prendergast was in Saudi Arabia producing content from the Dakar Rally.

He has just got back after securing an earlier than expected flight.

He will be working remotely from Melbourne while he completes his two weeks in hotel quarantine before being able to go home to Sydney.

Informed sources indicate that the Supercars commentary team will be mostly familiar.

Supercars supremo Sean Seamer has reached out to Larkham, but the popular pit lane pundit remains non-committal.

Larko is expected to outline his plans in the near future.

As a part of the new five-year broadcast deal, coverage will be simulcast on Fox Sports and Seven.

Fox Sports’ Jessica Yates will continue as the main host, joined on the desk by Skaife, Craig Lowndes and, occasionally, Seven’s Mark Beretta.

But Yates will be missing from the early rounds as she will be on maternity leave.

Crompton, the ‘Voice Of V8s’, will continue in the race commentary booth with Skaife.

Garth Tander is also in talks to join as an expert analyst.

Former Hi-5 presenter Charli Robinson was tabbed as a colour reporter/presenter, but Seven chiefs are reportedly resisting her involvement.

The final commentary team will be decided by Supercars, which produces the broadcasts, and Fox Sports, which owns the TV rights.

Our sources also indicate that apart from the Bathurst 1000, which will be shown on the network’s main channel, Seven’s coverage will be on 7mate and streamed on 7Plus.

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