Editing Color commentator (section)

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{short description|Sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer}}

[[File:Manel Comas, Arsenio Cañada, Juanma Iturriaga - Liga ACB - TVE.jpg|thumb|Manel Comas, Arsenio Cañada and Juanma Iturriaga during the live broadcasting of the Liga ACB game.
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A '''color commentator''' or '''expert commentator''' is a [[sports commentator]] who assists the [[sports commentator#Main/play-by-play commentator|main (play-by-play) commentator]], typically by filling in when play is not in progress. The person may also be referred to as a '''summariser''' (outside North America) or '''analyst''' (a term used throughout the English-speaking world).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/color+commentator|title=Color commentator &#124; Define Color commentator at Dictionary.com|publisher=Dictionary.reference.com|access-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202114736/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/color%2Bcommentator|archive-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the main commentator is not describing the action.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://work.chron.com/color-commentator-20477.html|title=What Is a Color Commentator?|website=work.chron.com|publisher=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=November 29, 2010|access-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520005944/http://work.chron.com/color-commentator-20477.html|archive-date=May 20, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The color commentator provides expert [[analysis]] and background information, such as [[statistics]], strategy, and injury reports on the [[team]]s and [[sportsperson|athlete]]s, and occasionally [[anecdote]]s or light humor. Color commentators are often former athletes or [[Coach (sport)|coaches]] of the sport being broadcast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/announcers.htm#tab-2|title=Announcers: Occupational Outlook Handbook — What Announcers Do|publisher=[[Bureau of Labor Statistics]]|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401203911/http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/announcers.htm|archive-date=April 1, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

The term ''[[wikt:color|color]]''{{efn|Specifically meaning #7, "Richness of expression"}} refers to levity and insight provided by a secondary announcer. A sports color commentator customarily works alongside the play-by-play broadcaster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://inklingmedia.net/2012/05/02/color-commentary-and-play-by-play-a-well-rounded-approach-to-facebook/#.Uk8WfhzN63Y|title=Color Commentary and Play by Play: A Well-Rounded Approach to Facebook|publisher=Inkling Media|date=May 2, 2012|access-date=February 3, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116065651/http://inklingmedia.net/2012/05/02/color-commentary-and-play-by-play-a-well-rounded-approach-to-facebook/|archive-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americansportscastersonline.com/sportscasterdefinition.html|title=The Sportscaster: A Brief History & Job Description|publisher=Americansportscastersonline.com|date=January 7, 2014|access-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129032627/http://www.americansportscastersonline.com/sportscasterdefinition.html|archive-date=January 29, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsideo.com/blog/johnlund1120/the-business-ofsports/baseball_basketball_football/the-top-three-keys-for-becoming-a-color-commentator-1681.html|title=The Top Three Keys For Becoming a Color Commentator|author=John Lund|publisher=Sportsideo.com|date=November 27, 2012|access-date=February 3, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116082329/http://www.sportsideo.com/blog/johnlund1120/the-business-ofsports/baseball_basketball_football/the-top-three-keys-for-becoming-a-color-commentator-1681.html|archive-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref>