EXCLUSIVE: TNT Sport to cut number of pundits used at some PL matches

TNT Sport will cut the number of pundits they use at some Premier League matches this season… while co-commentators could be asked to double-up as a pundit after games

  • BT Sport has been rebranded as TNT Sport for the upcoming 2023-24 season
  • At some games the broadcaster could drop the number of pundits down to two
  • Mail Sport has been told the channel is planning a fluid approach to its matches 

TNT Sport are cutting the number of pundits on duty at some of their Premier League games this season sparking concerns amongst some big-name ex-players about losing work. 

TNT’s predecessor BT Sport used three pitch-side pundits including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch and Joe Cole alongside host Lynsey Hipgrave for all of their Premier League matches, but Mail Sport has learned that just two ex-players will be booked for some games this season.

TNT staff have claimed that the move is part of cost-cutting measures that have also seen a major redundancy programme since last year’s merger between BT Sport and Warner Brothers Discovery, who opted to rebrand their sports channels. 

A Warner Brothers spokesperson told Mail Sport however that the channel is planning a more fluid approach to staffing matches this season, and that while just two pundits would be used at some matches the bigger games could see four ex-players on duty.

TNT Sports has established a 19-strong core of presenters and pundits for the season ahead


The move is likely to concern pundits such as Peter Crouch (left) and Steve McManaman (right)

In another change it is understood that co-commentators such as Ally McCoist and Steve McManaman could be asked to double-up after games for punditry duties. 

Sky Sports have used this model for some time, with Gary Neville often leaving the commentary box to join post-match interviews with managers.

TNT’s first Premier League game of the new season is Nottingham Forest’s trip to Arsenal a week on Saturday. 

The rebranded channel have made a number of changes to their football team during the summer, with Laura Woods replacing Jake Humphrey as their Champions League presenter and Jules Breach taking Des Kelly’s role as pitch-side reporter, as revealed by Mail Sport.

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