TV Home Forum

ITV World Cup v BBC World Cup

(June 2002)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
BR
Brekkie
Everytime an event is dual broadcast, BBC usually comes out on top with ratings and the critics (Queen Mothers death coverage perhaps being a rare example), but I always find myself watching ITV for coverage of major events.

I usually prefer their style, presentation and content, although there is nothing wrong with the BBCs. I watch ITVs breaking news coverage, and usually enjoy their Euro/World Cup football more than the BBCs.

Maybe it's because I watch ITV1 more than BBC1, or maybe it is just habit, but I find ITV better.

Although for the world cup (unlike breaking news), ITV have the "disadvantage" of ads, but normally during the football, you go off and do something else during half-time and at full-time (don't tell the advertisers), so they don't bother me, and anyway, the BBC are increasingly advertising themselves during the programme.

Interactive services, online services, Five Live coverage, other sports events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Derby were all mentioned during this afternoons BBC game (Ger v Saudi Arabia).

So what do you think?
AN
Andrew Founding member
Well until England qualify for the Second Round, it doesn't really matter who is better, because you have to watch both channel's coverage.

Its funny that the BBC are advertising tommorow's England match, LIVE on the BBC ................ on Radio Five Live Very Happy

I bet even all this forum's ITV-haters wouldn't choose Five Live over ITV1 this time...?
BR
Brekkie
Andrew posted:
Well until England qualify for the Second Round, it doesn't really matter who is better, because you have to watch both channel's coverage.


If, not when!!!

You can judge now - I actually prefer BBCs presentation (graphically) but generally ITV as a package. And to be fair, if Eng qualify for the 2nd round, shouldn't it be live on ITV (as in 9Cool with RofIre on BBC.
AN
Andrew Founding member
If England or Ireland qualify, both channels will show the live games, with BBC having first pick of the rest

ITV have first pick of the Quarter Finals.

Why do BBC get 2/3 of England's first round games, Did ITV have 2/3 last time?
BR
Brekkie
No, it was a 2/3 split to BBC in 98, with a match each plus shared Germany coverage in Euro 2000.
SE
Square Eyes Founding member
ITV actually got the best out of the deal for them. They wanted the Sunday England game because it was on at a weekend at 10.30am and would get the biggest viewing figures of the England matches and yield the greatest return in terms of advertisments. They also got 2 out of the 3 Republic of Ireland games as well. The other 2 England games are weekday kick-offs, ITV have the first repeat run of these games and will probably show them at 7pm in the evening (I think Emmerdale & Corrie are being shifted to 8pm on one day for this purpose).

So far, I would have to say that I prefer ITV's coverage. The match itself is virtually the same on both channels, but ITV stand out for me in terms of music, studio and presenters. The show this morning was great, Des and the 2 pundits talking about the game on one half of the studio, with Gabby and Ally & Gazza looking through the papers and having a bit of a laugh on the other side. They both complemented each other really well. The ITV set seems to be much more spacious and better designed with the coffee tables and the japanese style blinds at the windows.
AN
Andrew Founding member
square eyes posted:
ITV actually got the best out of the deal for them. They wanted the Sunday England game because it was on at a weekend at 10.30am and would get the biggest viewing figures of the England matches and yield the greatest return in terms of advertisments. They also got 2 out of the 3 Republic of Ireland games as well. The other 2 England games are weekday kick-offs, ITV have the first repeat run of these games and will probably show them at 7pm in the evening (I think Emmerdale & Corrie are being shifted to 8pm on one day for this purpose).

Not quite, ITV's highlights of the other two England games is at 8pm, and in the case of the Argentina match, lasts a full two hours until 10pm.

One thing I don't like about either side's coverage, is the fact that they arn't in the stadiums, or in the case of France 98 on the BBC, actually in France with windows in the background.
I know the former is impossible with it being in two countries, Des would only be able to present about a 3rd of the games, but I would have prefered them to be based in Japan
IT
ITV Lover
I've got to say - I certainly don't like the BBC set. It's so bright, almost tacky! Eugh!

And I was watching the highlights on ITV this evening and Gazza was having a right life pretending to be Sven Goran Eriksson - he put a wig on and eveything! Laughing

ITV seem to have a better set and a friendlier atmosphere. Simple as that!
SE
Square Eyes Founding member
It looks like ITV will re-run the whole game then in that case. It will be interesting to see the viewing figures for the live game on BBC1 and the re-run on ITV1 when everyone comes home from work at 8pm.
DA
david16
square eyes posted:
It looks like ITV will re-run the whole game then in that case. It will be interesting to see the viewing figures for the live game on BBC1 and the re-run on ITV1 when everyone comes home from work at 8pm.


And it will be interesting to see the BBCi viewing figures compared to ITV1 in digital households
PE
Pete Founding member
I prefer the BBC due to the fact I don't like adverts. If I watch the final I alwayschoose the BBC coverage.
JJ
Juicy Joe Founding member
I have always thought that ITV was better than the BBC...and this World Cup, they certainly are! The pudits are exceptional and it's good to see a bit of the old smoothie Des and a bit of the fit Gabby having a laugh too. Great! Shame Brain Moore isn't about these days to commentate on the World Cup but Clive is more than a perfect replacement.

With the BBC, you HAVE got to roll your eyes with their coverage this year. Tut tut... Rolling Eyes

Newer posts