2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

Commercially, it's probably the best deal for ITV who would rather deal with the known than take the more risky strategy of reliant upon England qualification (which would seem likely). They can now work to sell airtime around 2 guaranteed England ties.

It's not a bad deal for them, two guaranteed England group games in primetime. Arguably the most interesting England game of the group against USA. The opening match of the tournament (and presumably the Opening Ceremony), some of the best other ties, and the third place play off exclusively (which could feature England).

Regardless of viewer numbers, they will reap some rewards from the final stage simulcasts if England progress as advertisers like to be associated with the tournament and any England success.

ITV or the BBC never really bother showing much of the opening ceremony - they just usually refer to it going on behind them. I suspect if the BBC were screening the opening game though they'd air it in full on the red button.


Scheduling wise the evening news hour should remain unharmed this year on both channels, though I wouldn't be surprised if ITV try to get the odd edition of Emmerdale in at 6.45pm before a match at 7.15pm. Not necessary of course though as ITV can always screen an hour of both Emmerdale and Corrie when the BBC have evening games.

Wonder too if the BBC will do the sensible thing and drop The One Show for the tournament, or squeeze it into the schedules, even though Adrian Chiles will likely be part of the BBC team.

Daytime and I guess the 12.30pm games will be covered from 12-2.30pm, with the news on ITV1 at 2.30pm. The BBC will probably be stupid enough to still move it to BBC2 even though in some regions people won't be able to get their regional news at all. 3pm kick offs shouldn't be too much of an issue, though if one channel is showing both matches I guess the lunchtime news will be dropped completely.

I doubt that, it will be a chance for them to establish Chris Evans as the main cover for Charles something the Beep seem desperate to happen.

Or show it at 11.30?

Have RTE announced their coverage yet for the world cup?

No, but you can pretty much guarentee it will run along the following lines:

* Most games live (except where there are clashes, which I think there are some during the pool stages - not sure what they will do there). They're likely to be mostly on RTÉ Two except on Sunday afternoons where there'll probably be some on RTÉ One as a result of GAA coverage.

* Bill O'Herlihy will almost certainly be the lead anchor as he has been for every major football tournament since Euro 88. The evening and other major matches will also almost certainly have Eamon Dunphy, John Giles, and Ronnie Whelan as panelists and George Hamilton as lead commentator.

* I'd imagine Peter Collins will anchor the early games and Con Murphy and Daragh Moloney might also be involved in some shape or form. As for commentators, as well as GH, Jimmy Magee will probably also go. Ger Canning maybe if he is released from GAA duties (surely the GAA side can make do with Marty Morrisey for the duration???). They need at least three commentators but not sure who else they could get, Ryle Nugent doesn't do soccer commentating so he would be out.

The clashes occur in the last games of the group stages, where they take place at the same time.

RTE won't be boycotting it in protest then.

Is Liam Brady part of the panel? I heard he possibly would be after standing down from his position on the Irish soccer team

The commentary on the French game will be interesting.


"Oh he didn't use his hand to score that goal...that's a different approach from the French..."

The BBC's latest signing, it seems, is none other than Today FM"s Mario Rosenstock! Yes, apparently Special 1 TV (aka I'm on Setanta Sports) is returning for the World Cup on BBC Three, though nothing official apart from this...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/comingup/special-1-tv/

Superb!