FOOTBALL fans have questioned why the BBC and ITV have decided against scheduling World Cup highlights shows on their channels throughout the tournament.
The World Cup kicks off this evening, with ITV holding the rights for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
ITV also have the rights for the second match of the tournament between South Korea and the Czech Republic before BBC take over coverage for the following two games.
However, fans have taken to social media to ask about the lack of highlights shows that are currently scheduled by both broadcasters.
One person said: “Have I got this right? The #BBC and #ITV don’t have a morning or afternoon #MOTD style highlights show of #FIFA #WorldCup games we’ve missed through the night? Diabolical.”
Another commented: “This World Cup was made for a highlights show – crazy hours.”
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A third suggested: “There should absolutely be an 8/9am show with highlights from the previous night. It would do numbers. Only needs to be half an hour.”
While a fourth claimed: “Seems a real own goal.”
In response, an ITV spokesperson said: “Live games and highlights will be broadcast on ITV and ITVX, providing a comprehensive coverage package and content across ITV Football’s social platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, ensuring fans will not miss a single minute of the action.
“‘Inside The World Cup’ is a new digital series available on X and ITVX that offers an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at the FIFA World Cup, following England and other competing nations throughout the tournament. Combining exclusive in-camp interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and raw match day coverage.
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“ITVX will bring a comprehensive package of World Cup coverage and footballing highlights to quench the appetite of the biggest football fans.
“ITVX will provide full video on demand of all ITV matches, and highlights of all matches across ITV and BBC, and a rail of constantly-updating short-form content including camp reports, big moments and interviews. ITVX will also be home to ‘World Cup: Full Time’, featuring the best of Daniyal’s reports and creator-led content direct from the streets of NYC.”
BBC said: “Every England and Scotland game rolls straight into instant reaction with BBC Sport’s top pundits breaking it all down, calling it how it is, and getting into the moments everyone’s debating.
“BBC Sport is producing highlights from every single match so audiences are always across the moments that matter. Catch all the post-match reaction and highlights on BBC iPlayer, or dive in via the BBC Sport website and app”.
Alex Kay-Jelski, the director of BBC Sport, defended the decision to broadcast coverage live from Media City in Salford.
He said: “It’s not a green box in Salford. It’s a beautiful state-of-the-art studio. No one’s seen it until now.
“It’s completely fine to assume that what was there before was what it was going to be. And I’m really proud of this.”
Meanwhile, ITV will broadcast live from a rooftop in Brooklyn, New York with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.
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