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ITV News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
ITV and Guinness Partner to Bring Live Audio Descriptive Commentary to UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Coverage
ITV, in partnership with Guinness, is bringing live audio description commentary to its coverage of matches during UEFA Women's EURO 2025. ITV's descriptive commentary aims to bring to life TV pictures for a blind and partially sighted audience, giving a level of visual detail of the action and the surrounding stadium atmosphere far beyond the standard broadcast commentary. The service will be available during ITV's coverage of all England and Wales matches throughout the tournament, starting with England v France on Saturday 5 July on ITV1 and STV. The new audio commentary builds on the success of ITV and Guinness partnering to bring audio descriptive commentary for the past two years during the Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship - the first time the technology had been used for a UK broadcast sporting event. It is accessed simply by turning on the audio description function on a TV. The commentary will be provided by Dave Rogers and Joe Byrnes, both highly experienced audio descriptive sports commentators. Every match of this year's tournament will air on ITV1, ITVX and STV, with matches that are on at the same time broadcast on ITV4. ITV will broadcast England's first match of the tournament against France on Saturday 5th July from 7pm, as well as their last match of the Group Stage against home nations rival, Wales, on Sunday 13th July from 7pm. ITV will also broadcast Wales' match against France in Group D on Wednesday 9th July from 7pm. ITV will broadcast one of the Quarter Finals and have first pick of one of the Semi-Final games. The Final of the tournament will be on Sunday 27th July on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. Nick Payman, Head of Guinness, said: ""We are incredibly proud to extend our partnership with ITV to bring live audio descriptive commentary to the UEFA Women's EURO 2025. This initiative builds on Guinness's commitment to making sport as inclusive and accessible as possible, ensuring that even more fans can experience this summer's tournament.' Mark Trinder, ITV Director of Commercial Sales and Partnerships said: "We had an overwhelmingly positive response to ITV's live descriptive commentary during the last two Six Nations Championships and I'm thrilled our partnership with Guinness means that we can extend it to the biggest sporting event of this summer. Live descriptive commentary means that families and friends with varying accessibility needs can finally enjoy live coverage together, making sports more inclusive for everyone.' Sonali Rai, RNIB's Media Culture and Immersive Technology Lead said: 'This is a real game changer for blind and partially sighted football fans to be able to enjoy football in real time and not be excluded from the magical moments that happen during tournament football. Audio description transforms how blind and partially sighted football fans can fully engage in the game. 'ITV's and Guinness' continued investment in high-quality live descriptive commentary is a significant step forward. It's not just a technical achievement — it's a recognition of the right for blind and partially sighted football viewers to belong in the sporting moment as it happens. We wish England and Wales all the best in Switzerland and hope the AD coverage will bring more people with sight loss into the game.'
Extra.ie
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Three times the Lions got big decisions badly wrong
As the 2025 Lions tour prepares to launch, anticipation is high and the mood is overwhelmingly positive. However, history teaches us that it pays to be cautious heading into these expeditions, the heightened exposure and pressure-cooker environment can ruthlessly expose cracks in the operation, leading to bad decisions. Here are three examples from the last 40 years when the Lions got it badly wrong… Will Carling (centre) and the rest of the team wait for a Waikato conversion attempt. Pic: Anton Want/Allsport The midweek team is essential to all successful Lions tours, providing playing and morale-boosting support to the Saturday or Test the midweek team is winning, it boosts overall confidence as well as players with a spring in their step if called into Test action. Conversely, if the midweek team flops, the knock-on effects can be disastrous – as happed in New Zealand in that tour, England were by far the dominant force and it created a somewhat disgruntled midweek side, made up primarily of Scottish players who lost interest fairly early on and suffered fefeats by Otago, Auckland, Hawke's Bay and a hammering by Warren Gatland's Waikato. Richard Webster charges past Waikato players. Pic: Dave Rogers/Allsport The Scottish contingent were exposed as way off the pace but there were good players dragged down with them – notably the English pair of Stuart Barnes and Will Carling while Ireland's Mick Galwey, who had done superbly well to make the tour during a difficult period for Irish rugby. was also affected by the midweek malaise. Mick Galwey with the Lions in 1993. Pic: Dave Rogers/Allsport It was a hugely damaging experience with a chunk of players going 'off tour' – prioritising the social side over results as a rift grew within the party. 'Attitudes left a lot to be desired,' recalled Test wing Ieuan Evans years later. Ieuan Evans rounds Sam Doyle of New Zealand. Pic: AllsportUK/Allsport 'Too many were content with merely being a Lion instead of pushing themselves to the limit – they gave the impression they were on holiday. 'Some of those who played against Hawke's Bay didn't give a monkey's. They simply weren't trying. It was as if they were saying to themselves, 'We're not bothered. We're not going to get a Test place so we may as well enjoy ourselves'.' Having done superbly to tie the series 1-1, the midweek fiasco took its toll by the time of the decisive third Test and a talented Lions side lost a series they should have won. Martin Johnson, Andy Robinson and Graham Henry in 2001. Pic: Dave Rogers/ALLSPORT The 2001 Lions squad that travelled to Australia was one of the most talented groups of players ever assembled. When you look at some of the names – Martin Johnson, Brian O'Driscoll, Keith Wood, Jonny Wilkinson, Richard Hill, Jason Robinson – it was a collection of World XV icons, brimming with belief and natural ability. However, while there was no issue with their playing resources, there was a serious problem in another key area – the coaching ticket. Graham Henry is now revered as one of rugby's best-ever coaches and his record of success with Auckland and New Zealand stands up to any scrutiny. But Henry was entirely the wrong choice as coach of the Lions. Matt Dawson in action for the Lions in 2001. Pic: Adam Pretty/Allsport For a start, he was the first southern hemisphere Lions head, a fact which did not sit well with a lot of people — including a cohort of his players. His personality (stereotypical gruff Kiwi) was also at odds with creating the right spirit to mould four cultures into one over a short sense of 'humour' veered more towards put-down than punchline, which quickly created a gap between the head coach and his players that was never bridged. And, to top it off, Henry's coaching philosophy — in tandem with his equally intense assistants Andy Robinson and Phil Larder — was to work the players into the ground, to the point where injuries proved corrosive and players clearly ran out of juice as the tour progressed. Austin Healey playing for the Lions against the ACT Brumbies in 2001. Pic: Dave Rogers/Allsport The 2001 Lions tour documentary is highly watchable (the last one that is) and it is clear from that account just what a slog it all seems mad now in the era of micro-managed media but, back in 2001, players were allowed to produce newspaper columns that did not need to be cleared by managementEnglish scrum-halves Matt Dawson and Austin Healey were two who had such columns and both laid into the touring experience with the coaching, and Henry in particular, getting a proper kicking. The passage of time has not lessened the sense of just how 'off' it all was and, just to add to the 'what were we thinking?' vibe over appointing Henry, four years later he coached the All Blacks to a 3-0 series romp against the Lions. All Black match captain Richie McCaw and coach Graham Henry during the All Blacks captain's run at Lansdowne Road in 2005. Pic:Perhaps Henry's rank unsuitability for the 2001 task was summed up by a speech he gave on that tour, captured on the tour documentary, in an attempt to motivate his spoke about how the Lions were not respected or rated in Australia and New Zealand, how people did not think they were skilful enough, fit enough or strong enough.'And I should know,' Henry concluded, 'because I am one of them.' Inspiring stuff. Lions coach Ian McGeechan (centre) in 2009. Pic:After the 2005 calamity, there was a lot of pressure on the Lions heading to South Africa four years later. Ian McGeechan was the safe pair of hands entrusted with getting the Lions back on track and he immediately brought the tour back to tourists lost a superb series 2-1 and, although their sole victory came in the dead-rubber third Test when the Springboks had rotated their team, there was lots of respect for how the Lions had played as credibility was if you place sentiment to one side and subject McGeechan's performance to some clinical scrutiny, his selection for the first Test in Durban has to be seriously questioned. Lions forwards Alun-Wyn Jones, Paul O'Connell and Lee Mears in 2009. Pic:The Lions had gone extremely well in the build-up but the Test series was always going to be a different beast and the dogs in the Durban street knew the Boks were going to bulk up to bully their 2009 South Africa team was enormous, packed with leviathans like 'Beast' Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Bakkies Botha, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies — and that was just in the forwards. In order to beat them, the Lions needed to muscle up in the forwards before they could even think about playing rugby but McGeechan went for the more mobile route that had worked in meant starts for the front row of Gethin Jenkins, Lee Mears and Phil Vickery with Alun-Wyn Jones also picked in the second row and Tom Croft at blindside flanker. All good players but they could not compete their opponents when it came to size. South Africa's Jean de Villiers with teammate Bismarck du Plessis tackles Brian O'Driscoll. Pic: Duif du Toit/Lee Mears was a solid hooker and good at the basics but Mears was only 5ft9in tall up against yjr 6ft3in Bismark Du in the second row was early into his career and not ready for the raw power and nous of Bakkies Botha, who was three inches taller and nearly three stone heavier. Tom Croft was a superb top-of-the-ground backrow but only weighed in at 94kg, against the likes of Smith and Spies who were both around the 118kg mark. Springboks take part in a film shoot on Table Mountain ahead of the Lions tour. Pic: Carl Fourie/The frustrating aspect to it was that there were bigger Lions alternatives available. Loosehead Andrew Sheridan was a 6ft5on, 20st beast of a man, second row Simon Shaw was 6ft9in and pushing 20st, while Adam Jones at tighthead and Matthew Rees at hooker were big lumps also. The Lions also had access to the likes of Nathan Hines and Donncha O'Callaghan who had experience of playing in the backrow and the size to match the McGeechan opted for 'Lions Lite' and got caught it turned out, the Boks blitzed the Lions in the first 25 minutes and by the time the tourists got over their shell-shock, there was too much ground to make up — although they gave it a valiant try. For the second Test, the penny dropped and the Lions bulked up considerably — dominating the Boks for large chunks of the game and looking set for a famous win save for a freak Morne Steyn penalty. McGeechan did so much right for the Lions over the years, but his 2009 first Test selection was definitely not his finest hour.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Masimo to divest consumer audio division to Samsung's Harman
US-based Masimo has agreed to sell its consumer audio business, Sound United, to Harman International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, for $350m in cash. The decision is part of Masimo's previously declared strategic review of its consumer audio operations. Masimo stated that the divestiture will allow it to concentrate more on advancing innovation within its core professional healthcare segment. Masimo board of directors, vice-chairman Quentin Koffey said: 'Finding the right home for this business has been a stated priority of the new Board from day one, and this transaction represents an important milestone as we continue to position the company to achieve our goals of accelerating revenue growth while delivering disciplined margins. 'Masimo has tremendous opportunities ahead and we are confident we have the right healthcare-focused strategy, experienced leadership team and culture of innovation in place to build on our significant positive momentum.' Subject to certain conditions, including the necessary regulatory consents, the transaction is expected to be concluded by the end of 2025. Samsung expects the acquisition to create synergy with its existing mobile, television and home appliance businesses. Harman's Lifestyle division president Dave Rogers said: 'This acquisition represents a strategic step forward in the expansion of Harman's core audio business and footprint across key product categories such as home audio, headphones, hi-fi components and car audio. 'It complements our existing strengths and opens new avenues for growth. Sound United's portfolio of world-class audio brands including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon and Marantz, will join Harman's iconic family of brands including JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam and Revel. 'Built on a shared legacy of innovation and excellence in audio technology, this combined family of brands, together with the talented employees of both companies, will deliver complementary audio products, strengthen our value proposition and offer more choices to consumers.' Centerview Partners and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors, while Sullivan & Cromwell provided legal counsel to Masimo for this transaction. Earlier this year, Nokia signed a multi-year patent licence agreement with Samsung to allow the use of its video technologies in Samsung's television products. "Masimo to divest consumer audio division to Samsung's Harman" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Engadget
07-05-2025
- Business
- Engadget
Samsung is paying $350 million for audio brands Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz and Polk
Harman International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung, is purchasing the audio business of health technology company Masimo for $350 million in cash. The deal is expected to finalized by the end of 2025, though it's still subject to regulatory approvals. Samsung purchased Harman International back in 2017 for $8 billion, though it allowed the company to operate as an independent subsidiary. Harman's brands include JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam and Revel. If and when the acquisition pushes through, Masimo's audio brands under Sound United will be added to the list, including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz and Polk Audio. It is unclear if the purchase will lead to layoffs, but it sounds like Harman is taking on Sound United's employees. "Built on a shared legacy of innovation and excellence in audio technology, this combined family of brands, together with the talented employees of both companies, will deliver complementary audio products, strengthen our value proposition and offer more choices to consumers," said Dave Rogers, the President of Harman's Lifestyle division. As noted by The Verge, Samsung published a press release, where it briefly talked about the history of the brands it's acquiring. It mentioned some of Bowers & Wilkins' most iconic products, such as the Nautilus loudspeaker (pictured above) and its Zeppelin wireless speaker, as well as Denon's history as an early adopter of the CD player. Harman had a 60 percent market share in portable audio devices last year, and the company is looking to maintain that position with this purchase. "By combining the audio business of Masimo, which is being acquired this time, with Harman's lifestyle business division, the company plans to solidify its global No. 1 position in the consumer audio market," Samsung said. Samsung also plans to apply the new brands' audio technologies to its smartphones, TVs, wireless earphones, soundbars and other devices in the future.
The Verge
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Samsung adds Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, and Polk to its audio empire
Samsung subsidiary Harman has agreed to acquire the audio business division of Masimo, taking ownership of audio brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Polk Audio. The $350 million deal brings them under the same roof as JBL, Harman Kardon, Arcam, AKG, Mark Levinson, and Revel, which Samsung acquired back in 2016 with its $8 billion acquisition of Harman. The Masimo transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. 'Finding the right home for this business has been a stated priority of the new Board from day one, and this transaction represents an important milestone,' said Masimo vice chairman Quentin Koffey. Masimo, you might recall, is the global medical technology company that launched a US patent infringement lawsuit against Apple over the pulse oximetry tech used in the Apple Watch. In its press release, Samsung says it 'plans to solidify its global No. 1 position in the consumer audio market' by combining the Harman and Massimo businesses. Part of that plan also includes applying professional audio technology from Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz to Samsung's lineup of smartphones, wireless earphones, headphones, TVs, and sound bars, alongside expanding its car audio business portfolio with brands like Bowers & Wilkins. 'Harman is proud to have grown into a world-class audio company with 75 years of history, and we expect that the acquisition of another luxury audio brand, B&W, will further solidify Harman's position as a true audio powerhouse,' said Dave Rogers, president of Harman's lifestyle business unit.
