BBC to stay put in Salford as ITV takes World Cup coverage to New York, securing prized studio with Manhattan skyline view.
The BBC has opted to maintain a base in the UK for its World Cup coverage this summer, prioritizing cost and environmental considerations over a costly move abroad. The corporation's decision is largely driven by the significant increase in costs associated with staging the tournament in multiple countries, as well as Fifa's choice of host nations.
In contrast, ITV has taken a bold step to secure an early advantage in the ratings battle ahead, opting to stage its entire World Cup coverage from a studio in Brooklyn, New York. This move comes with the added benefit of filming travelogues and mini documentaries to support live broadcasts, providing ITV with an opportunity to showcase its global reach.
The BBC's decision is also influenced by its commitment to reducing carbon emissions, which has led it to prioritize minimizing air travel for its coverage team. While this approach may limit their international exposure, it underscores the corporation's focus on sustainability in a bid to reduce its environmental footprint.
ITV's plans, on the other hand, will see Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Ian Wright serve as pundits, providing expert analysis from the United States. The trio will be joined by Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods, who will present ITV's World Cup coverage from their New York studio.
The scheduling of matches between the two broadcasters is also set to reflect their different approaches. ITV has secured 51 matches for its coverage, including England's opening game against Croatia, while the BBC has secured 54 matches, with England's group stage fixtures and semi-finals included in its schedule.
Despite ITV's efforts to gain an early advantage in the ratings battle, historical data suggests that the BBC remains a formidable opponent. The corporation achieved peak audiences of over 15 million for the 2022 World Cup final, compared to ITV's 4.3 million.
However, ITV has enjoyed significant viewing figures for football when it is its sole broadcaster, with England's Women's Euro 2025 semi-final win against Italy attracting a peak audience of 10.2 million last summer.
The BBC has opted to maintain a base in the UK for its World Cup coverage this summer, prioritizing cost and environmental considerations over a costly move abroad. The corporation's decision is largely driven by the significant increase in costs associated with staging the tournament in multiple countries, as well as Fifa's choice of host nations.
In contrast, ITV has taken a bold step to secure an early advantage in the ratings battle ahead, opting to stage its entire World Cup coverage from a studio in Brooklyn, New York. This move comes with the added benefit of filming travelogues and mini documentaries to support live broadcasts, providing ITV with an opportunity to showcase its global reach.
The BBC's decision is also influenced by its commitment to reducing carbon emissions, which has led it to prioritize minimizing air travel for its coverage team. While this approach may limit their international exposure, it underscores the corporation's focus on sustainability in a bid to reduce its environmental footprint.
ITV's plans, on the other hand, will see Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Ian Wright serve as pundits, providing expert analysis from the United States. The trio will be joined by Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods, who will present ITV's World Cup coverage from their New York studio.
The scheduling of matches between the two broadcasters is also set to reflect their different approaches. ITV has secured 51 matches for its coverage, including England's opening game against Croatia, while the BBC has secured 54 matches, with England's group stage fixtures and semi-finals included in its schedule.
Despite ITV's efforts to gain an early advantage in the ratings battle, historical data suggests that the BBC remains a formidable opponent. The corporation achieved peak audiences of over 15 million for the 2022 World Cup final, compared to ITV's 4.3 million.
However, ITV has enjoyed significant viewing figures for football when it is its sole broadcaster, with England's Women's Euro 2025 semi-final win against Italy attracting a peak audience of 10.2 million last summer.
but at the same time, its kinda cool that they're gonna have a sick studio with a view of the manhattan skyline lol idk about the bbc tho, cant they just make it more cost effective somehow? i mean, 54 matches is a lotta content. and what's up with fifa choosin host nations anyway? 
anywayz, its gonna be an interesting world cup this year! 
. I mean, can you imagine watching the footy with Gary Neville and Roy Keane as pundits? 
. ITV might try to gain an edge with their US studio, but let's be real, the BBC has got some serious credentials under its belt 
. And who knows, maybe this move will inspire more UK broadcasters to prioritize sustainability in their coverage... a visual representation of that could be: 
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. Don't get me wrong, having Gary Neville and Roy Keane on board is a big plus, but let's be real, it's gonna be tough for them to compete with the BBC's global reach 
. I mean, who wants to watch football from behind a crowded New York City skyline when you can watch it from, say, Wembley Stadium? 
Not me, that's for sure 
. The BBC has secured some big ones, including England's group stage fixtures and semi-finals 
. And let's not forget about the sustainability aspect - I get it, reducing carbon emissions is important, but sometimes you gotta put your money where your mouth is 
. The BBC has a long history of producing top-notch coverage, and I think they'll come out on top 
. But hey, I could be wrong 
.
. ITV is basically trying to compensate for something by being all fancy with the NYC studio view 
. Not sure how much of a difference that's gonna make in the end... still think BBC has this one in the bag 
. And what about the travelogues and mini docs? Won't those be kinda hard to film in NYC when there are still loads of matches happening elsewhere around the world? 
.
️. 51 matches for ITV, though, that's a lot of football! 
but at the same time BBC got some sick views last time around... 15 million peeps watchin' the final! 
but ITV is risking the ratings by doing the opposite, i guess they wanna gain an early advantage in the battle, good luck with that lol 
, but what if theyre not prepared for the competition? we'll see how it goes this summer...
. And, omg, Gary Neville and Roy Keane as pundits? That's gonna be lit 
!
You know what I'm thinking? The BBC is basically saying "forget the extra cost and environmental hassle" to stay put in Salford 
. But let me tell you, when ITV does get to broadcast solo, they bring in the big guns with Neville, Keane, and Wright 
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