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In the United Kingdom the terminology is different: a play-by-play announcer is called a commentator. The role of color commentator is not so clearly defined, but the term summariser is sometimes used and former players often appear as Pundits , filling a similar role. In Germany, most soccer matches feature just a single play-by-play announcer, without a color commentator. In Australia and particularly Australian Rules Football , colour commentators are known as "special comments" commentators.

Examples of the more well-known color commentators in their respective sports include:

American Football

Australian Rules Football

Baseball

Basketball

Ice Hockey

Professional Wrestling

Mixed Martial Arts


NON-SPORTS COLOR COMMENTATORS


In the United States , the term "color analyst" is used far more frequently than "color commentator" though they both have about the same meaning. The job of the color analyst has spread beyond sports broadcasting to any area involving a live broadcast (often for extended periods, as during an emergency) for which additional on-air expertise and commentary is appropriate and/or necessary. So, color analyst or color commentators are now often seen during broadcast of political debates, and on the evening news while airing reports of medical, technological, or business news topics. Many local television stations now keep Medical Doctors , Lawyers , Stock Brokers , and Economist on staff to appear on the air and provide commentary or reporting at appropriate times.

Of particular note, during the continuous broadcasts during the Persian Gulf Wars , each network employed former high-ranking military officers and commanders, and military analyst as color commentators. Some of the notable color commentators appear on these broadcast were General Al Gray (Ret.), former Commandant of the United States Marine Corps , and Col. Harry Summers , noted military analyst. During the Space Shuttle disasters, the networks appropriately employed former Astronauts , NASA Engineers , and former operations directors to provide color commentary.