ITV Announces World Cup Coverage Team

ITV has unveiled the team which will provide commentary and analysis of the channel’s World Cup coverage this summer, and describes it as ‘the best in the field’.

England manager Glenn Hoddle may be joining the commentary team depending on England’s performance in the competition. Two of England’s previous managers, Bobby Robson and Terry Venables will also be analysing the action. Moving from the BBC, Ruud Gullit will join the ITV team for the coverage.

The actual match commentary will be lead by Brian Moore for the last time and is supported by Clive Tyldesley and newcomer Peter Drury. Moore will retire from football commentary after the competition.

Co-commentary and analysis will also be provided from Alex Ferguson, John Barnes, Barry Venison, Kevin Keegan, Ron Atkinson and Ian St. John.

Bob Wilson will present ITV’s feature live programmes and Jim Rosenthal will host live programmes and evening highlights shows.

ITV and BBC have agreed to share coverage of the World Cup with no duplication of live games until the final stages of the competition. All 64 games are to be shown on terrestrial television (see BBC And ITV Announce World Cup Scheduling).

ITV’s France ’98 coverage programmes are all sponsored by Vauxhall.

…The BBC is currently being threatened with two 24-hour strikes by its engineers, cameramen and lighting technicians. Bectu, the union which represents these engineers, is the largest union in the BBC. It is organising the strikes, planned for 4 June and 9 June, to protest against changes in working practices and the Corporation’s structure.

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