The BBC will travel to the United States to broadcast on location for the semi-finals of the World Cup after showing the majority of the tournament on home soil. The corporation's coverage of the tournament has been heavily scrutinised for taking place in a studio in Salford, rather than in the US like their rivals, ITV, who have spent the last few weeks broadcasting from a stunning rooftop location in Brooklyn.
Cost-Saving Decision Reversed
The BBC's decision to stay in the UK came amid a cost-driving exercise — but they will send presenters and pundits out to cover the tournament's finale. A new report from The Telegraph outlines that key personnel such as Gabby Logan will fly out ahead of next week's semi-finals, of which the corporation has 'first pick'. That means they would be free to land England's game ahead of ITV if they are successful in their quarter-final tie with Norway, which will be shown by their rivals on Saturday night. There is a chance, though, that the BBC miss out on broadcasting an England game 'on location' altogether if Thomas Tuchel's men exit the competition in Miami.
Criticism from Former Presenter Gary Lineker
Alex Kay-Jelski, the corporation's director of sport, said the decision to base their studio in Salford would save licence-fee-payers "millions" of pounds. But the coverage has been scrutinised with their former presenter, Gary Lineker, also sticking the boot in. Lineker, whose 'The Rest is Football' podcast covering the World Cup is being shown on Netflix, said he was relishing the prospect of being on the ground in the United States rather than in “a green box in Salford” back in April.
And when ITV landed another huge win by snaring Lineker to make a guest appearance on their coverage as a pundit, the former Match of the Day host waxed lyrical about their impressive studio during his cameo, quipping: “I did desperately want to come and see your set. I think it’s absolutely amazing and I can confirm that it is real.”
Viewer Reaction and Future Plans
The BBC's move to broadcast from the US for the semi-finals marks a significant shift in strategy, responding to viewer backlash and the competitive pressure from ITV's on-location coverage. The corporation will now aim to deliver a more immersive experience for audiences watching the climax of the tournament.
