Jim Rosenthal
Encyclopedia
Jim Rosenthal is a sports presenter on British
television.
and attended Josca's Preparatory School before going to Magdalen College School
. He then joined the staff of the Oxford Mail went on to BBC local
and national radio
.
.
In his television career, which began when he joined ITV
in August 1980, he has presented football, boxing and athletics, plus other minor sports. He has also been part of the teams covering the FIFA World Cup
since 1982 and the Olympic Games
. He worked on three Rugby World cup campaigns for ITV, including presenting the victorious 2003 final. In 2011 he presented the Rugby World Cup for the OSN network based in Dubai and watched throughout the Middle East and Africa.
He was the presenter for Formula One
(F1) on ITV for eight years and has presented over 150 Grands Prix since 1997. Rosenthal grew into his role as ITV F1 anchor, and gained popularity with his direct questioning of leading figures in the sport.
2005 saw him return to boxing as ITV got back in the ring on Saturday nights. In October 2005, it was announced that Steve Rider
had been recruited by ITV
from BBC Sport
, to assume Rosenthal's former role for the 2006 Formula One season.
Rosenthal instead became the new 'face' of ITV Champions League football coverage, as well as their boxing output. He left by saying: "Covering Formula One has been an amazing time for me and I've really enjoyed the sport, but I don't think I ever made a secret of the fact that football is my first love."
In 2006, Rosenthal worked on his seventh World Cup and he continued to front ITV's Big Fight Live
boxing coverage throughout the year.
He also presented ITV4
's Champions League Live
show and the channel's live match coverage, until he was dropped for the 2008 games, attracting much controversy within the media.
Internationally, Rosenthal regularly hosted the UEFA
Gala Dinner in Monaco
, a football spectacular that is broadcast across the world.
Jim filmed Superstars for Channel Five in May 2008 at K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley West Sussex.
He currently presents the live FA Cup draws for ITV. FA Cup
, and editions of BBC Radio 5 Live's
Sportsweek show while regular presenter Garry Richardson is on holiday.
In 2010, Rosenthal reported for ITV Sport
during the opening ceremony for the World Cup
.
In September 2010, Rosenthal joined the British broadcaster Channel Five
to front their Europa League football coverage. His first appearance was on 16 September covering the game between Liverpool and Steaua Bucharest from Anfield.
In 2011 he became the lead presenter on the new national boxing channel Boxnation.
and Footballers' Wives
.
Sports Presenter of the Year in 1997 and 1999 and has won other awards at home and abroad. He was the main anchor of ITV's BAFTA
winning coverage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup
, which took him to Australia
for the final.
board of directors.
His 23-year-old son, Tom Rosenthal
, is a comedian and stars in Friday Night Dinner
; which began in February 2011 on Channel 4
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television.
Early life
Rosenthal grew up in OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and attended Josca's Preparatory School before going to Magdalen College School
Magdalen College School, Oxford
Magdalen College School is an independent school for boys aged 7 to 18 and girls in the sixth form, located on The Plain in Oxford, England. It was founded as part of Magdalen College, Oxford by William Waynflete in 1480....
. He then joined the staff of the Oxford Mail went on to BBC local
BBC Local Radio
BBC Local Radio is the BBC's regional radio service for England and the Channel Islands, consisting of 40 stations. They cover a variety of areas with some serving a city and surrounding areas, for example BBC Radio Manchester; a county, for example BBC Radio Norfolk; an administrative region for...
and national radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
.
Broadcasting career
In his radio career Rosenthal presented Sports Report on the then Radio 2 for several years. He was also the journalist on duty at BBC Radio Birmingham on the night of the Birmingham Pub BombingsBirmingham pub bombings
The Birmingham pub bombings occurred on 21 November 1974 in Birmingham, England. The explosions killed 21 people and injured 182. The devices were placed in two central Birmingham pubs – the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town . Although warnings were sent, the pubs were not evacuated in time...
.
In his television career, which began when he joined ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in August 1980, he has presented football, boxing and athletics, plus other minor sports. He has also been part of the teams covering the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
since 1982 and the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. He worked on three Rugby World cup campaigns for ITV, including presenting the victorious 2003 final. In 2011 he presented the Rugby World Cup for the OSN network based in Dubai and watched throughout the Middle East and Africa.
He was the presenter for Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
(F1) on ITV for eight years and has presented over 150 Grands Prix since 1997. Rosenthal grew into his role as ITV F1 anchor, and gained popularity with his direct questioning of leading figures in the sport.
Steve Rider
Stephen Rider is an English sports presenter, and was the anchorman of ITV's football coverage, which included the Champions League, England Internationals, the FA Cup and the 2006 World Cup. He anchored ITV's Formula One coverage from 2006 to 2008, and football coverage from 2006 to April 2010...
had been recruited by ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
from BBC Sport
BBC Sport
BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. It incorporates programmes such as Match of the Day, Grandstand , Test Match Special, Ski Sunday, Rugby Special and coverage of Formula One motor racing, MotoGP and the Wimbledon Tennis...
, to assume Rosenthal's former role for the 2006 Formula One season.
Rosenthal instead became the new 'face' of ITV Champions League football coverage, as well as their boxing output. He left by saying: "Covering Formula One has been an amazing time for me and I've really enjoyed the sport, but I don't think I ever made a secret of the fact that football is my first love."
In 2006, Rosenthal worked on his seventh World Cup and he continued to front ITV's Big Fight Live
The Big Fight Live
The Big Fight Live is a British boxing television programme, broadcast by ITV Sport regularly until 1995 and again since 2005.-History:ITV's boxing coverage had largely been confined to big fights from the USA in the 1970s and early 80s, which were covered as part of World of Sport and as separate...
boxing coverage throughout the year.
He also presented ITV4
ITV4
ITV4 is a British television station which was launched on 1 November 2005. It is owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc, and is part of the ITV network. The channel has a male-oriented line-up, including sport, cop shows and US comedies and dramas, as well as classic ITV action...
's Champions League Live
Champions League Live
Champions League Live is a football programme currently shown on both ITV and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, broadcasting live UEFA Champions League football....
show and the channel's live match coverage, until he was dropped for the 2008 games, attracting much controversy within the media.
Internationally, Rosenthal regularly hosted the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
Gala Dinner in Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
, a football spectacular that is broadcast across the world.
Jim filmed Superstars for Channel Five in May 2008 at K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley West Sussex.
He currently presents the live FA Cup draws for ITV. FA Cup
FA Cup 2008-09
The 2008–09 FA Cup was the 128th season of the world's oldest football knockout competition; The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short. A record 762 clubs were accepted for the competition; one club, South Normanton Athletic, folded before the fixtures were released, leaving 761...
, and editions of BBC Radio 5 Live's
BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries...
Sportsweek show while regular presenter Garry Richardson is on holiday.
In 2010, Rosenthal reported for ITV Sport
ITV Sport
ITV Sport is a sport producer and brand name owned by ITV plc. It was formed from the amalgamation of Granada Sport, Carlton's sports department and ISN, the sports division of London News Network. The company produces Champions League and FA Cup Football, along with coverage of England's national...
during the opening ceremony for the World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
.
In September 2010, Rosenthal joined the British broadcaster Channel Five
Channel Five
Channel 5 is a television network that broadcasts in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1997, it was the fifth and final national terrestrial analogue network to launch. The station was branded as Five between 2002 and 2010...
to front their Europa League football coverage. His first appearance was on 16 September covering the game between Liverpool and Steaua Bucharest from Anfield.
In 2011 he became the lead presenter on the new national boxing channel Boxnation.
Acting
Rosenthal has tried his hand at acting in Renford RejectsRenford Rejects
Renford Rejects was a teen sitcom produced and broadcast by Nickelodeon UK between 1998 and 2001. The show briefly aired in the United States on Nick GaS....
and Footballers' Wives
Footballers' Wives
Footballers' Wives is a British television drama surrounding the fictional Premier League Association football club Earls Park F.C., its players, and their wives. It was broadcast on the ITV network from 8 January 2002 to 14 April 2006...
.
Awards
Rosenthal was named Royal Television SocietyRoyal Television Society
The Royal Television Society is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present and future. It is the oldest television society in the world...
Sports Presenter of the Year in 1997 and 1999 and has won other awards at home and abroad. He was the main anchor of ITV's BAFTA
British Academy of Film and Television Arts
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
winning coverage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
, which took him to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
for the final.
Personal life
Rosenthal has always been a loyal supporter of his childhood home team of Oxford United. He famously wore an Oxford United hat whilst hosting the ITV coverage of the Milk (League) Cup final in 1986 from Wembley Stadium. On 15 June 2010, Rosenthal was announced as a member of the Oxford UnitedOxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
board of directors.
His 23-year-old son, Tom Rosenthal
Tom Rosenthal
Thomas Alan S. Rosenthal is an English comedian. He is the son of sports commentator, Jim Rosenthal.-Biography:After attending Reading Blue Coat School, he studied philosophy at King’s College London and has done voice-over work for Comedy Central and other clients in the film and television...
, is a comedian and stars in Friday Night Dinner
Friday Night Dinner
Friday Night Dinner is a British television sitcom written by Robert Popper and starring Tamsin Greig, Paul Ritter, Simon Bird, Tom Rosenthal and Mark Heap. The first series aired from February 2011 on Channel 4. A second series has been commissioned by Channel 4. The series began airing in the U.S...
; which began in February 2011 on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
.
External links
- Jim Rosenthal itv.comItv.comitv.com is the main website of ITV plc, the UK's largest commercial television broadcaster which operates 11 out of 15 regions on the ITV network under the ITV1 brand. The website offers on-line streaming, ITV archive, news, sport, entertainment, games, soaps, lifestyle, drama and an interactive TV...