The World Cup 2006

Sunday Times picking up on the criticism of coverage as well.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2231293,00.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2230687,00.html

Now the ST wouldn't pass up an opportunity to bash the Beeb, but I honestly can't remember a time that the BBC has received so much criticism of its football coverage (even if it's deserved it). Makes the arrogance of the BBC's producers sound even more misplaced.

You have to remember other providers actually show BBC commentry even though in the UK, it's covered by ITV;)

BTW exactly how many groups of English commentators are there at any single match, there is BBC, ITV, HBS, ESPN, is Sky commentators involved for other broadcasts as well?

Jon Champion has been excellent for the Brazil v Australia game, make him the no1 commentator on ITV!

Definately less annoying than both Drury and Tyldesley but I think Peter Brackley edges it - maybe I'm just swayed by memories of Football Italia and Pro Evolution Soccer though!

The second string BBC commentators are the best out of the BBC lot as well, a lot more sense spoken. Miss Tony Gubba this time, he's amusing to listen to usually.


UPDATE: looks like ITV have realised that Shane Warne talks as much sense about football than any pundit can. Not that that's a good thing.

Mark Wright seemed to talk over him though!

I'll add to that; very interesting to listen to and very accurate too! Quality.

Very noisey during half time on the France game - is that why ITV have given all their studio staff cotton bud mics?

That is the worst example of News International anti-BBC bias I have ever seen- and it's in The Times! I wouldn't have been surpised if it was The Sun, but this one's really got me:



The "journalist" writing this piece actually honestly, hand on heart, believes that people think, "oh that england match is only on the bbc, I can't stand their commentators so I'll give it a miss".

Does this "journalist" have any integrity.

If I was running a paper, and a "journalist" produce copy like that, which goes against all common sense thinking, he'd be out of the door.

Incredible naivety.

Exactly that story is such a load of rubbish i really cant believe it was printed to be honest. The viewing figures are different because ITV's game was at 5pm - not in the middle of a hot sunny Saturday afternoon! I'd like to know which websites have been 'flooded with criticism' - ve seen a lot more criticism for ITV. And it mentions that ITV has one-third of the staff the BBC has - well have they not noticed the BBC has numerous radio stations, along with a 24 hour news channel and a big website? The basis for this story seems to be some forums on the internet - such as the Hearts FC forum - but there's criticism for pretty much everything if you look for it. I might make a complaint its such a load of utter crap.

I think ITV's coverage is really poor, awful black graphics, why they didn't use the official one's mystifies me really, their titles just pixellate to bits on screen too, the BBC have fantastic graphics powered remotely via the official source but Ian Wright as a pundit, oh please...

true as that may be, you have to question the necessity of them sending out their Five Live mid-morning phone-in host, and Radio 1 breakfast presenter.

Anyone fancy taking guesses at the music the BBC or ITV will use over the highlights of England crashing out?

My first guess would be Feeling A Moment by Feeder, whose lyrics could almost have been written for the occasion ("Feeling the moment slip away... you're losing direction, you're losing faith"). My second guess would be Nature's Law by Embrace, and third would be Everybody's Changing by Keane.

In 2002 the BBC used Stop Crying Your Heart Out by Oasis which tied in perfectly with the image of David Seaman's tears after the final whistle against Brazil. Good Riddance (I Hope You Had The Time Of Your Life) by Green Day was used by ITV Sport for England's exit in World Cup 98.

The weirdest choice of highlights song ever was Take Me Home by Sophie Ellis Bextor when Brazil won the last World Cup.