Henry and Carragher’s Champions League banter captivates American audiences

← Back to the feed

Henry and Carragher’s Champions League banter captivates American audiences

The Guardian · 37 minutes ago

CBS Sports' Champions League studio panel—host Kate Scott alongside pundits Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards—has become an unlikely hit with American audiences, often generating more buzz than the matches themselves. In interviews with the Guardian, the four broadcasters credit their genuine chemistry and willingness to needle one another, likening the dynamic to sibling rivalry underpinned by mutual respect, as the key to the show's viral appeal on Paramount+.

The Champions League was undervalued by American broadcasters for over a decade before CBS acquired the rights in 2021, with ESPN, Fox Sports and Turner Sports having previously treated it largely as midweek filler. CBS's launch coincided with a dedicated Paramount+ soccer channel, bringing together Scott's broadcasting experience, Henry's playing pedigree and stint with the New York Red Bulls, and Carragher and Richards' existing recognition from Sky Sports clips. Carragher notes that broadcasting from a UK studio to a distant American audience, rather than any deliberate "code switching", gives the panel freedom to take more risks on air than they might on English television.

  • CBS's Champions League panel has become a surprise US TV hit.
  • Kate Scott, Henry, Carragher and Richards credit authentic on-air chemistry.
  • Panel says distance from UK viewers allows more risk-taking on air.

Americas Football Sport Trending Weird & Viral World

Read the full article at the source →