Tanith Belbin White Uses Athlete’s Mindset In Broadcast Career

[Sylvia]

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/A...ite-Uses-Athletes-Mindset-In-Broadcast-Career
Excerpts:

In the last two years, Belbin White’s assignments have run the gamut from beach volleyball to curling, water polo and wrestling. She spent nearly two months in PyeongChang, first providing ice dance commentary and figure skating play-by-play, then staying on to cover sled hockey for the Paralympic Games.
“It’s been an incredible ride,” she said. “Every time I get a call it gives me such a thrill to say yes to every job offered. It’s been an incredible learning curve.”
Meeting her own expectations, as well as those of fans, keeps her on her toes.
“I don’t have to be an expert on every sport, but I do need to know the athletes as well as I can,” she said. “I need to know their history, in the context of the sport.”
“If I let myself go easy and not do the research and pronounce something incorrectly, I’m going to hear about it from fans,” she added with a laugh. “I don’t want it interpreted as a lack of respect for my role, or for the sport. It’s really important for me to present myself as professionally as possible and take the time to get there.”

When working as an ice dance analyst, Belbin White is the expert, and it’s a whole different ballgame. She’s acted as an analyst and play-by-play caller for grand prix and other ISU events for several seasons, often working with her husband White and old partner Agosto. PyeongChang was her first time commentating at the Olympics.
“It feels bigger to me in my heart and mind when I’m taking on the analyst role at the Olympics,” Belbin White said. “It’s the most demanding role, the only time where I need to know the ins and outs of the sport, all of the intricate rules. It was special to finally call an Olympic Games, since I’ve been doing commentary since 2010 in figure skating.”
...
“In ice dance, the art itself can be very subjective and up to interpretation,” she said. “A big part of my job as an analyst is to share not only my knowledge, but also my opinions. It’s important to me that I really consider and share them in a way that shows how I’ve interpreted something, but also allows for the audience to interpret it differently.”

 

[manhn]

She got bitten with the broadcasting bug soon after the Torino Games, when ABC’s “Good Morning America” asked her to host some segments.

But what about BEN?!?!?!

 

[nimi]

I remember an earlier interview (maybe around the Rio games?) where she talked about how dressage is the summer sport that's most relatable to her as an ice dancer. I thought that was funny but also makes a lot of sense when you think about it.

 

[SCeline]

Tanith's methodical approach stands in such stark contrast (it seems to me) than that of her other NBC analysts who cover the non-dance disciplines

 

[Garden Kitty]

Tanith does a great job and you can see how prepared she is for each event. I was watching a gymnastics event recently and was delighted to hear her as one of the commentators. I can see her being a Terry Gannon like announcer who is capable of covering a variety of sports.

 

[SamuraiK]

I mostly watch British Eurosport if possible but when I have had the chance to watch some Tanith commented videos I always think "she's sooo good". I even like her better as a commentator than when she was an competitive dancer.

 

[Deleted member 74551]

I think she’s brilliant. It’s so refreshing to hear a commentator who has clearly done her homework. I remember Al Trautwig on the gymnastics broadcasts and wondered how somebody could do a job for decades and apparently never learn anything about it.

 

[DreamSkates]

Her comments are intelligent.