CTV/TSN - I love how excited and into it Rod Black gets. And his cheesy sayings, and just how one of the 'every sport commentators' seems to truly love the sport - he makes it so enjoyable and doesn't try to toss in random and pointless facts like 'he enjoys golf!' or 'she likes calvin klein!' or things like that that every other 'every sport commentator' seems to mention.
Since I'm in the U.S I don't get two of those channel's But my favorite here is ABC. For sentimental reasons, I guess. I have to see my smuckers and Smart one's commercial's
ITA. ABC is my favorite as well. I actually like Dick and Peggy......they've been at it ever since I've been a fan. I almost feel like I know them, lol. I don't have any of the other channels but ESPN, and I've never been a big fan of their figure skating coverage. But, I am glad they show it!
Button always made me blow chunks... thank god I don't have to listen to him here in Europe... I always liked Chris Howarth & Simon Reed from Eurosport... they are always fair and don't blabber too much!!
Other - Whatever station's commentators do the least amount of unnecessary blabbing.
My favorite World's commentary was 1991 when Robin Cousins did commentary for ABC/NBC/CBS? I don't remember which, but I was so happy to not have to listen to a lot of junk.
My least favorite commentary is any done by Scott Hamilton. His annoying, hyper screeching drives me crazy.
I think Tracy Wilson is a fantastic commentator and I wish we could smuggle her over to this side of the border to replace Susie Wynne and/or Terry Gannon. Button seems to get a little more -- something -- can't quite find the word at the moment -- every year, but whenever the Olys and Worlds aren't/weren't on ABC, I did miss him. There's just no one out there like him; which is good because one is enough!
I wish we got Eurosport video coverage here in the states. But I really like listening to the live audio Eurosport coverage!! And I like seeing the coverage on video. They limit the unrelated chatter during the performances.
Although I love the CBCs coverage (ahem, they are on STRIKE right now!!!!!!) I must also give my respectful homage to Johnny Esaw - he covered skating in the Karen Magnussen/Toller Cranston era for CTV. He became quite the fixture at CTV and was eventually replaced by Rod Black. Johnny loved figure skating and it showed in his lively coverage and treatment of figure skaters. Johnny was made an honorary member of the Canadian Figure Skating Association and respected by all.