ITV And BBC Agree World Cup Share Out
The BBC and ITV have reached a decision on which channel will broadcast which England and Ireland matches in this year’s World Cup. Peter Salmon, BBC director of sport, said: “We are looking forward to some of the biggest sporting audiences of the year.”
The grudge match between England and Argentina on 7 June will be shown by the BBC this time, as during the last World Cup ITV had coverage rights for the game, which gained an average audience of over 23 million (see England’s Epic Defeat Gains 26m Viewers). The BBC will also show England vs Nigeria on 12 June and Republic of Ireland vs Cameroon on 1 June.
ITV has the rights to show England vs Sweden on 2 June and the Republic of Ireland’s matches against Germany on 5 June and Saudi Arabia on 11 June.
Each broadcaster will have first repeat transmission of the other’s live England or Ireland games in the Group phase.
If England and/or ROI make it to the Round of 16, knockout stage, it has been agreed that both broadcasters will screen each of their matches live, with the BBC having first choice of the remaining games. If not, live coverage of the 8 matches in this stage will be split, with the BBC retaining first choice of game.
The pattern of coverage is to be reversed, for the quarter finals, when 8 teams will remain, meaning ITV will have first choice of matches outside shared live coverage if England or ROI qualify. If either or both of England and ROI reach the semi-finals, both broadcasters would screen both matches live. If neither qualifies, a tossed coin will decide which broadcaster gets first choice of semi-finals, which would be broadcast live. Both broadcasters will screen the final live on 30 June.
ITV will have first repeat, same day transmission of Round of 16, quarter final and semi-final matches, in addition to any live coverage of England and or ROI games screened. Both broadcasters may show extensive highlights of fixtures on a daily basis.
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.co.uk
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