Play-by-play, in broadcasting, means the reporting of a sporting event with a voiceover describing the details of the action of the game in progress. In North America, in certain games such as baseball, the play-by-play person is assisted by a color commentator. Well-known baseball play-by-play announcers include Chicago Cubs' Harry Caray, the St. Louis Cardinals' Jack Buck, and Minnesota Twins' Herb Carneal.

Play-by-play announcers are also well known in professional wrestling, especially for such announcers as Vince McMahon, Gordon Solie, Gorilla Monsoon, Jim Ross, and Tony Schiavone. Current well-known play-by-play announcers in wrestling include Joey Styles, Michael Cole, and Mike Tenay. Also play-by-play announcers are to some fans referred to as the "face" announcer, often giving credit to all accomplishments made by wrestlers as well as shunning the dirty tactics undertaken by heel wrestlers.

This term is sometimes shortened to "pbp", particularly when referring to the play-by-play announcers within competitive robotics. It is not used in the United Kingdom, where the term "commentator" is used instead.

Play-by-play is also used to refer to theatre-going types who remain in the audience for extended days, weeks or months watching any play hosted there. Famous examples of these so-called 'play-by-players' include Eva Moore and her father.

Sports announcers