BBC win England World Cup gamble
Posted by DavidM in England, World Cup | 2 July 2006
Last week the BBC and ITV announced the schedule for the remaining World Cup fixtures.
The BBC were to show England's quarter-final match against Portugal. ITV then had the semi-finals and both channels were to cover the final. This shows how the two channels gambled on different outcomes against Portugal.
ITV were prepared to give up the game against Portugal to secure the far more lucrative tie against Brazil or France if England got through. An England/Brazil semi was a very tempting prospect.
The BBC obviously had less confidence in England's ability to progress and chose cerainty over speculation - showing the next match as it may be their last.
And the BBC triumphed. I put this down to the quality of pundits employed by the two sides. The BBC could rely on the advice of Hansen, O'Neill, Strachan. ITV had to rely on Andy Townsend and Terry Venables.
Next time, I'm going to check the BBC's schedule then take a visit to the bookies.
